While international students often pay £35,260 to £59,260 per year at prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford, the Ellison Scholars 2026 Undergraduate Scholarship is changing the narrative. It not only offers a fully funded undergraduate scholarship, but also provides a mission-driven opportunity to develop the skills, mindset, and networks needed to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
Through a partnership with the University of Oxford, the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) is offering a fully funded scholarship for students who want to shape the future through science, technology and innovation. If you are intellectually curious, technologically driven, committed to social impact and interested in joining a global community of collaborators, this scholarship is worth exploring.
Application for the Ellison Scholars 2026 Graduate Scholarship opens on Monday, September 1, 2025.
What is the Ellison Scholars 2026 Undergraduate Scholarship?
The Ellison Scholars 2026 Undergraduate Scholarship programme offers full funding for exceptional students to pursue a degree at the University of Oxford. Alongside their academic studies, scholars work on live innovation projects led by the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), an organisation dedicated to solving global challenges through science and technology.
You will be part of a close-knit, interdisciplinary cohort selected not only for academic excellence, but also for collaboration, leadership potential and a shared vision for global impact. This programme is highly competitive, with limited places offered each year to students who demonstrate outstanding ability and commitment to one of EIT’s mission areas, referred to as the Humane Endeavours.
- Health and medical science
- Food security and sustainable agriculture
- Clean energy
- Artificial intelligence and robotics
What will you do as an Ellison Scholar?
In addition to your studies, you will complete a 10-week summer internship each year of your degree. These internships take place during Oxford’s “long vacation” and are a central component of the programme. The internship enables you to test ideas, explore your interests, and gain hands-on experience in fields at the forefront of technology and innovation. More than just a summer placement, this is an opportunity to contribute to transformative work from the very start of your undergraduate journey.
As an intern, you will join one of EIT’s active project teams working to solve real-world problems through applied science, innovation and technology. The projects span all four Humane Endeavours and give you the opportunity to:
- Collaborate with leading researchers and peers from across disciplines
- Contribute meaningfully to projects with global relevance
- Apply your academic knowledge to practical, scalable solutions
- Develop skills in research, problem-solving, communication and teamwork
You may bring experience or interests in areas such as:
- AI and data
- Economics and policy
- Generative biology
- Engineering
- Chemistry and physics
- Computer science
- Mathematics
- Medicine and law
What does the Ellison Scholars 2026 Undergraduate Scholarship include?
The goal of this scholarship is not only to fund your undergraduate studies, but also to help you develop the skills and build a network to become a technology leader.
Besides fully funding your tuition and college fees at the University of Oxford, the goal of this scholarship is to help you develop the skills and build a network to become a technology leader. If selected as an Ellison Scholar, you will receive a package that also includes:
- A generous living stipend for the duration of your degree
- Paid summer internships on EIT-led innovation projects
- Access to EIT’s state-of-the-art facilities in Oxford
- Mentorship from leading researchers and practitioners
Eligibility: Who should apply for the Ellison Scholars 2026 Undergraduate Scholarship Programme?
The Ellison Scholars 2026 Undergraduate Scholarship is an opportunity for high-performing international and UK-based students who want to make a tangible difference in the world. The selection committee looks for five key attributes:
1) Alignment:
You must showcase a clear understanding of, and commitment to, one of the four Humane Endeavours. For example, you might have taken part in a national science fair focused on AI, or worked on a school project addressing agricultural sustainability.
2) Excellence:
Strong academic performance is essential. You will need to meet the entry requirements for your chosen course at the University of Oxford. Students applying for majors in STEM, Humanities and Social Science are eligible for the Ellison Scholars 2026 Undergraduate Scholarship. You can demonstrate excellence through outstanding grades, prestigious scholarships, academic honours or awards, published research or success in competitive programmes like Olympiads or science fairs that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
3) Collaboration:
Ellison Scholars are team players. You should demonstrate how you have worked with others, whether that involves organising a school event, contributing to a group project, or mentoring a peer and empowering others to achieve collective success. Any recognition or award for teamwork will also be considered.
4) Tenacity:
The programme’s selectors value resilience and prefer applicants who persist in the face of setbacks. Have you pursued a long-term project despite limited resources? Overcome academic or personal obstacles? You can showcase your determination by pursuing a long-term project with measurable outcomes or by overcoming personal, professional or resource-related challenges to succeed in a demanding environment.
5) Innovation:
The Ellison Scholars Undergraduate Programmes seeks visionary learners who approach technology with creativity, question conventional thinking and develop original solutions that drive meaningful change. You should be curious, innovative, and forward-thinking. Highlight your abilities by shedding light on awards in hackathons or design competitions, contributions to peer-reviewed research papers and conference presentations, involvement with intellectual property, or founding an initiative with measurable impact.
6) Integrity:
Ellison Scholars are expected to lead with honesty and uphold the highest ethical standards. You should be someone who builds trust, takes responsibility and contributes to group success with transparency and fairness. You can demonstrate integrity through roles that require accountability, such as serving as a student representative or community leader, or through endorsements that attest to your reliability and trustworthiness. Advocating for ethical practices, especially in difficult situations, and showing honesty in your application are also strong indicators.
Other eligibility criteria:
To be considered for the Ellison Scholars Undergraduate Programme, you must first qualify for admission to the University of Oxford. This includes holding the proper academic credentials, meeting the required grades, and fulfilling the language standards for your chosen course. You must be in the process of completing, or have already completed, a high school qualification recognised by the University of Oxford.
What is the application process for the Ellison Scholars 2026 Undergraduate Scholarships?
If you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, the next step is to understand how the application process unfolds. The pathway to becoming an Ellison Scholar involves several stages, designed to assess both your academic readiness and your potential to contribute to EIT’s mission. Here’s what to expect:
Step 1: Submit your Ellison Scholars application
The application window runs from May 1 to July 31, 2025. During this period, you must complete and submit the online application form for the Ellison Scholars Undergraduate Programme. Review the eligibility and selection criteria carefully before submitting your application.
Step 2: Semi-finalist selection
The EIT team will carefully review all applications. Semi-finalists are selected based on how well they align with the programme’s academic and personal attributes.
Step 3: Apply to the University of Oxford
Semi-finalists are then invited to submit a formal application for their chosen undergraduate course at the University of Oxford. Admission to Oxford is a separate process governed by the university and subject to its independent review. You must meet Oxford’s academic entry and English language requirements for your course.
Step 4: Finalist identification
Applicants who receive an offer of admission from the University of Oxford automatically progress to the finalist stage. The EIT Faculty will then evaluate these candidates for final consideration.
Step 5: Final interviews and scholarship confirmation
Between March and April 2026, selected finalists will be invited for interviews conducted by EIT faculty and leadership. Scholarship offers are confirmed after this stage.
Step 6: Begin your journey at Oxford
Ellison Scholars begin their academic programmes and internships at EIT Oxford in October 2026.
| Timeline | Milestone |
| May 1 – July 31 2025 | Submit your Ellison Scholars application |
| August 2025 | Semi-finalists selected by EIT |
| September – October 2025 | Semi-finalists apply to the University of Oxford |
| January – February 2026 | Finalists identified after receiving Oxford offers |
| March – April 2026 | Final interviews and scholarship confirmation by EIT faculty |
| October 2026 | Scholars begin their studies and internships at EIT Oxford |
Opportunities like the Ellison Scholars Undergraduate Programme are rare and profoundly transformative. If you’re prepared to challenge conventional thinking, work on global problems and grow within a world-class academic and research ecosystem, this could be the beginning of an extraordinary journey. Want more details? Email scholars@eit.org with your questions, sign up for their Q&A webinar or watch their recorded information session. For support with the application or course selection process, book an appointment with The Red Pen.
Meanwhile, read blogs: Ellison Scholars: Full University of Oxford Scholarships For Tech Innovators and Oxbridge Admissions 101: Everything You Need to Know.
