Kennedy Memorial Trust - Kennedy Scholarships

What a Kennedy Scholarship covers

You will receive a fully funded year of postgraduate study at Harvard University or MIT in the United States. The scholarship covers your full tuition fees and health insurance directly. In addition, there is an income-based living allowance of up to approximately 30,000 euros (33,000 US dollars), the amount of which depends on your financial circumstances. Furthermore, you can apply for a one-off grant of approximately 2,300 euros (2,500 US dollars) for travel within the US during the summer. You will also receive a funded trip to Washington, D.C. and a place in a network of around 600 former scholarship holders. The funding usually runs for one academic year. If you are pursuing a PhD, you can receive up to approximately 18,000 euros (20,000 US dollars) for research costs during the first four years. The scholarships are provided by the Kennedy Memorial Trust, which was established in 1964 in memory of President John F. Kennedy.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a British citizen. Holding a second nationality alongside your British one is not a problem.
• Where you live: They normally live in the UK and attended school there for most of their time before starting their degree.
• Your degree: You hold a first degree from a UK university or are due to graduate from such a university between 2026 and 2027. You must have commenced this degree programme on or after 1 September 2017.
• Study level: This funding is used to support postgraduate programmes, such as a Master’s degree, a special study programme (a course of study without a qualification) or an additional year of doctoral research.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Where you are now: You do not currently live in the United States.
• Grades: There is no minimum grade required for graduation. The Board of Trustees assesses your academic record as a whole.
• Public service: You will receive bonus points if you contribute to your local, national or global community through research, voluntary work or your planned career path. However, this is not a requirement.

How to apply

Applications are made via the online portal on the Trust’s website, which will go live in August. You will need to submit an application form, an essay of no more than 1,000 words and two references. The application deadline is 18 October 2026 for the academic year 2027/28. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to London in January for a face-to-face interview. Please apply separately to Harvard or MIT, as the scholarship does not include admission.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a single, prestigious award open to all British graduates across all disciplines; the field is therefore broad and the competition fierce. Grades alone are not the decisive factor. The members of the Board of Trustees place great emphasis on a well-reasoned motivation for studying in the US, as well as on a proven record of social engagement. If you can clearly demonstrate both of these and also gain a place at Harvard or MIT, your prospects will improve considerably.