Deadlines
- Northeastern: 10/01/2025
- Fellowship: 10/01/2025
Contact
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in applying for this fellowship, please fill out a preliminary questionnaire. You may contact the office with any questions.
Award Details
The Ellison Scholars program provides fully-funded doctoral (DPhil/PhD) study at the University of Oxford, where students directly contribute to progressing an EIT (Ellison Institue of Technology) project. These projects tackle global challenges through cutting-edge technology, offering graduate students the chance to collaborate with world-leading experts to develop innovative solutions.
This highly competitive programme is looking for exceptionally talented individuals with the skills and expertise to contribute significantly to our projects. We are particularly interested in students with skills in fields such as computer science, artificial intelligence, economics, mathematics, robotics, plant sciences, machine learning, chemistry, biology, engineering, medicine or microbiology. Graduate applicants must demonstrate skills aligned with their chosen EIT Project
Those selected to become Ellison Scholars will work on finding innovative solutions to some of the world’s most enduring problems across the Ellison Institute of Technology's four Humane Endeavours: Health & Medical Science, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Clean Energy and Government Innovation in the Era of AI. The Ellison Scholars programme provides fully funding for undergraduate or graduate studies at the University of Oxford alongside mentorship by world leaders.
Both graduate Ellison Scholars and EIT Research Students will work on DPhil (PhD) projects that directly contribute to the research and innovation programs at EIT. As such, they will span one or more of the following Humane Endeavours, which provide focus areas for what EIT is trying to solve:
- Health & Medical Science
- Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
- Clean Energy & Climate Change
- Government Innovation in the Era of AI
They will bring their relevant skills, experiences or interests in areas such as AI & data, economics & policy, generative biology, robotics, engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, mathematics, medicine or law into their DPhil (PhD) projects.
Abroad Award
US Citizenship Required
Applicants will need to meet the University of Oxford’s entry requirements for their chosen doctoral course. They must:
- Have, or be on track to be awarded, the relevant qualification(s) required by the University of Oxford,
- Have met, or be on track to meet, the grade requirements for their chosen doctoral course and
- Have met, or be on track to meet, the University’s English language requirements for their chosen doctoral course.
Eligible applicants must also meet our selection criteria before starting an application.
Alignment
Applicants must demonstrate alignment with their chosen EIT Project through:
- Proven ability to make meaningful and substantial contributions to the project’s development and impact – i.e. the research and innovation experience that would allow them to quickly contribute to the project.
- A genuine interest in their chosen EIT Project, reflecting their commitment to its goals.
- A well-matched research proposal that aligns with the project’s objectives.
Collaboration
They are trusted collaborators who build strong relationships, foster teamwork and demonstrate the ability to bring people together to achieve success.
How this might be evidenced:
- Involvement in collaborative research projects, co-authored publications or multi-institutional studies.
- Contribution to team-based initiatives such as lab management, journal editing or academic committees.
- Experience in organising academic conferences, workshops or research symposia.
Excellence
They are high-performers who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements, intellectual curiosity and the ability to apply knowledge critically and effectively to solve complex challenges.
How this might be evidenced:
- Outstanding academic record, particularly in relevant disciplines (e.g., first-class degree, distinction in a master’s programme, a minimum GPA 3.7/4).
- Competitive scholarships, fellowships, competitions, academic awards or similar accolades at undergraduate or, where relevant, postgraduate level.
- Significant contributions to a major research project, laboratory work or field study.
Tenacity
They are tenacious achievers who view setbacks as opportunities to learn and adapt and demonstrate resilience and determination to overcome challenges and achieve success.
How this might be evidenced:
- Completion of a rigorous research project, dissertation or thesis despite significant challenges.
- Persistence in securing research funding, scholarships or competitive opportunities.
- Long-term commitment to a research area, demonstrated through sustained academic contributions.
Innovation
They are visionary learners who embrace technological advancements with creativity, challenge the status quo and explore innovative solutions to achieve transformative outcomes.
How this might be evidenced:
- Peer-reviewed publications, patents or other recognised contributions to innovative research.
- Participation in interdisciplinary or cutting-edge research projects.
- Awards or recognition for innovative research, academic presentations or technological advancements.
Integrity
They are trustworthy people who value honesty, foster openness and build trust through commitment to collective success.
How this might be evidenced:
- References or endorsements highlighting ethical conduct and reliability.
- Roles and responsibilities that require high ethical standards, such as student representative or community leader.
- Honesty and accuracy in the application form.
The scholarship covers:
- Tuition fees for the duration of the course;
- A generous academic scholarship stipend to cover living costs in Oxford;
- The equivalent of paid internships for work on innovation projects;
- Travel and conference costs;
- Personal technology set up;
- Arrival in Oxford costs – including flights, visa charges and access to healthcare.
Applications are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis:
- 1st Deadline: October 1, 2025
- 2nd Deadline: December 1, 2025
- 3rd and Final Deadline: February 1 2025
Applications for the Ellison Scholars will open on 1 September 2025. More information on the Ellison Scholars application process will be released closer to that date.
Please also note:
The University of Oxford is made up of colleges where students live, socialise and have tutorials. Candidates, if invited by the Ellison Scholars team to apply to the University of Oxford, can apply to any college which offers their chosen course. The Scholars team is on hand to assist applicants at this stage of the selection process.
Interested? Have Questions?
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in a fellowship or opportunity, please fill out a preliminary questionnaire. Contact the office with any questions: