Foundation deep dives

Churchill Scholarship interviews

Research achievement over leadership

Former Churchill Scholars

“Applications for the Churchill Scholarship are reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of former Churchill Scholars from a variety of STEM disciplines.”

Churchill FoundationThe Scholarship page (foundation)

Churchill Scholarship · Undated, checked 11 November 2026

Expect scientists to read you

Applications are reviewed by a committee of former Churchill Scholars from STEM disciplines.

Example

An informal phone interview before any offer

“An offer cannot be made before completion of an informal telephone interview.”

Churchill FoundationThe Scholarship page (foundation)

Churchill Scholarship · Undated, checked 11 November 2026

Prepare for a phone call

No offer is made before an informal telephone interview.

Example

Research achievement, not leadership

“In contrast to other scholarships that look for “leadership potential” or “ambassadorial qualities,” we select Scholars on the basis of academic and research achievement.”

Churchill FoundationThe Scholarship page (foundation)

Churchill Scholarship · Undated, checked 11 November 2026

Lead with your research

The Churchill selects on academic and research achievement, not leadership potential or ambassadorial qualities.

Example

“For example, our candidates do not need to show leadership, be charismatic, or to have top grades outside of STEM courses.”

Churchill FoundationThe Scholarship page (foundation)

Churchill Scholarship · Undated, checked 11 November 2026

Do not perform leadership

Candidates need not show leadership or charisma, or top grades outside STEM.

Example

AI weakens the application

“While we do not have a formal policy against the use of AI and do not screen for it, we can tell you that when you use AI to help in your written work (at least as the technology currently exists), it weakens your application.”

Churchill FoundationThe Scholarship page FAQ (foundation)

Churchill Scholarship · Undated, checked 11 November 2026

Write in your own words

The Foundation has no formal AI policy but says AI help with written work weakens an application.

Example

“AI cannot help you with that, because it does not know you as well as you do.”

Churchill FoundationThe Scholarship page FAQ (foundation)

Churchill Scholarship · Undated, checked 11 November 2026

Say what makes you you

AI cannot say what makes you special, because it does not know you as well as you do.

Example

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