USA students win places on the UK’s prestigious Marshall Scholarship programme
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-10)

The United Kingdom government announces 43 winners of 2026 Marshall Scholarships from the USA.

The UK government’s prestigious Marshall Scholarships have been awarded to 43 of the brightest scholars in America, following an intensive selection process.

These scholars, from all walks of life, will study in the UK’s top universities. Many of them have chosen bespoke courses in specialist institutions all across the UK. The scholarships will help them reach their long-term career goals and live a truly British experience. The breadth of subjects ranges from Celtic Languages at Aberystwyth to Precision Medicine at Manchester University.

Next year, this new cohort will commence their studies at the same time as America celebrates its 250th birthday. Their fresh perspectives will continue reshaping the special relationship for the next 250 years.

On being awarded her Marshall Scholarship, Piper Farmer of Bryn Mawr College said:

To me, the UK-US relationship is about a shared culture and a shared literature, and importantly, the cross-Atlantic work we can do to have the best possible understanding of our shared culture and how it impacts both of our countries today.

On being awarded his Marshall Scholarship, Dhruvak Mirani of University of Maryland said:

The US and the UK share a commitment to democratic principles that is present throughout our cooperation in national defense and emerging technologies, demonstrating that safe and secure countries can also be free. Our alliance is grounded in the rules-based international order and models how shared institutions can endure despite the challenges they face today.

James Roscoe, Chargé d’Affaires at British Embassy Washington said:

The Marshall Scholarship is emblematic of the deep and long-lasting friendship between our 2 nations and a reminder of our shared values and of the cultural importance of education and cultural exchange. Next year we will welcome these new scholars to the UK as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

The Marshall Scholarship ensures we can continue to empower future leaders through the pivotal experience of education while binding our countries together.

John Raine, Chair of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission said:

As our special America 250 cohort, it is fantastic to see such a talented group of future leaders in fields spanning international relations, science, technology, health and the humanities. We look forward to welcoming them into the strong tradition of Marshall Scholars who have contributed so much to the world and to our special UK-US relationship. I congratulate them warmly and wish them every success.

Further information
- the program received 1023 applications this year from candidates representing state, military, Ivy League and private academic institutions across the United States
- 31 universities across 22 states are represented by the winners
- nearly a third of this year’s winners are from public or state universities, as well as 2 winners representing USA military service academies
- new colleges representing a scholar for the first time are the University of San Diego and Oregon State University
- the program is principally funded by the British Government but also benefits from generous support through partnership arrangements with world-leading British academic institutions and generous support from the Association of Marshall Scholars, the official alumni organization of the Marshall Scholarship and The British Schools & Universities Foundation
with over 2,300 scholarships awarded to date, Marshall Scholars are leading the conversation and direction of some of the most critical issues of our time. Notable winners of the scholarship include:
- Supreme Court Associate Justices Stephen Breyer (ret.) and Neil Gorsuch
- William Burns, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency
- Pulitzer Prize Winners Anne Applebaum, Tom Friedman, Jeffrey Gettleman, Sarah Stillman and Dan Yergin
- Nobel Prize Winners in Chemistry John Jumper (2024) and Roger Tsien (2008)
- Dr Dan Barouch, Leading COVID-19 vaccine researcher and William Bosworth Castle Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School
- Kurt Campbell, former-Deputy Secretary of State, United States Department of State
- Reid Hoffman, Philanthropist and founder of social networking platform LinkedIn
- Lisa Cook, Economist and currently the first African American woman and first person of color to sit on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors
- Gabe Amo, Congressman representing Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District
- Kris Kobach, Attorney General of the State of Kansas
- Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State for the State of Michigan
- Col. Anne McClain, NASA Astronaut, U.S. Army Colonel and Commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission launched in March 2025
- Ray Dolby, Founder of Dolby Laboratories and 1997 winner of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation
- Rebecca F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel and The Poppy War book trilogy
Full list of 2026 recipients

Background

The scholarship allows up to 3 years of fully-funded graduate study at any university in the United Kingdom, home to 17 of the top 100 universities in the world.

Established in 1953 as a gesture of gratitude for American support during Europe’s postwar recovery, the Marshall Scholarship was created by the British Parliament to honor former US Secretary of State George C Marshall. More than 2,200 Americans have received advanced UK degrees through the program since its inaugural class, more than years ago.

Media enquiries

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