Study at Oxford for Free and Work on Global Problems? Meet the Ellison Scholars Programme

What if you can study at Oxford for free and work on world-changing projects?”
Yep, we had the same reaction. If your dreams include a world-class education, solving real-world problems with tech and innovation, and doing it all without worrying about tuition bills, say hello to the Ellison Scholars Programme.

Key Info at a Glance

• University: University of Oxford
   
• Scholarship: Fully funded undergraduate degree
   
• Extras: Summer internships on global tech-driven projects
   
• Application deadline: 31 July 2025
   
• Start date: October 2026
   
• Apply here: Official Link: https://www.eit.org/scholars/undergraduate 
   

What exactly is the Ellison Scholarship? 

Ellison Scholarships are open to students skilled in fields such as computer science, artificial intelligence, economics, mathematics, robotics, plant sciences, machine learning, chemistry, biology, engineering, medicine, or microbiology. This list is not exhaustive, and strong candidates who believe they have skills that would benefit one of the EIT projects are welcome to apply.

Scholars work alongside leading global experts to tackle real-world challenges, all while earning a fully funded undergraduate degree in any subject at the prestigious University of Oxford. The programme offers very few spots and is highly competitive.

AND (yes, there’s more), you’ll spend your summers working on cutting-edge projects at the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) tackling real-world problems like climate change, AI and government, global health, and food security.

“This sounds amazing… am I even eligible?”

Chances are, yes—if you're a high school student on track for great things and aiming for Oxford. Here’s what you need to tick:

• You meet Oxford’s entry requirements for your chosen course
• You’ll finish high school with excellent grades
• You meet Oxford’s English language standards
• You actually want to tackle global challenges and have some experience or projects to show for it

If you're nodding along, keep reading 👇

Here’s what makes a future Ellison Scholar stand out:

It’s not just about grades (though they do matter). The programme looks for six key traits according to their official website:

Alignment – You care deeply about solving big problems in one of EIT’s focus areas:
Health, Climate, Agriculture, or AI & Governance.

Excellence – Top grades, academic awards, Olympiad wins, or serious brainpower on display

Innovation – Maybe you’ve started something, contributed to research, won a hackathon, or just love building what doesn’t yet exist.

Collaboration – You’re a team player, a mentor, a co-creator. You bring people together.

Tenacity – You keep going, even when it’s hard. Think: long-term projects, bouncing back from setbacks, or thriving under pressure.

 Integrity – You’re honest, ethical, and your references (and your vibe) prove it.

What’s the internship part all about?

Each summer, Ellison Scholars team up with EIT experts on 10-week internships. You’ll work on real projects that address some of humanity’s biggest challenges, like:

• Food security and sustainable farming
• Clean energy and climate tech
• Health and medical science innovation
• Rethinking government in the age of AI

You’ll use your skills, whether in computer science, policy, biology, robotics, law, or anything else worthwhile, to actually move the needle.

“Okay, I’m in. How do I apply?”

Let’s break it down:

1. Apply between 1 May and 31 July 2025
   Check your eligibility, gather your documents, and tell your story.
2. Semi-finalists: Sep–Oct 2025
   If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to apply to Oxford separately (yes, the Oxford application is its own thing).
3. Finalists: Jan–Feb 2026
   Once you get into Oxford, you’re automatically a finalist. Next up: interviews with EIT’s Faculty of Fellows.
4. Winners announced: Mar–Apr 2026
   The Ellison Scholars of 2026 are onboarded.
5. Start at Oxford: October 2026
   You begin your Oxford degree with no tuition fees, fully funded living costs, and a foot in the door with world-changing innovation projects.

This is a great opportunity for aspiring Oxford students to receive a fully funded education while immersing themselves in a dynamic, impact-driven environment focused on solving real-world challenges.