The Alexander Crummell Scholarships at Queens' College, Cambridge

The Alexander Crummell Master's & PhD Scholarships present an exciting opportunity for UK-based students, who would not otherwise have the means, to consider continuing to postgraduate study. These are "full ride" scholarships, meaning that all fees and maintenance costs are covered.

Since 2020, the College has created 22 new postgraduate scholarships in science and arts-based subjects for UK-domiciled candidates from non-traditional/underrepresented backgrounds.

Now, however, we have just a few of these scholarships remaining for the 25/26 academic year, all of which are solely for STEM subjects. As such, we are seeking funds to create more of these life-changing scholarships.

A sum of £20,000 would be sufficient to fund 50% of an MPhil scholarship, with £40,000 covering the full cost of a Master's course at Cambridge. A total of £125,000 would be required to fully fund a PhD student.

Ultimately, we aim to endow the Alexander Crummell Scholarships at £1.25 million each so that they may exist in perpetuity.

If you would be interested in supporting this scheme, please contact the Alumni & Development Office by emailing development@queens.cam.ac.uk.

Click the video below to hear Dr Mohamed El-Erian discuss the transformative potential of these scholarships.

Information for prospective applicants

Scholarship holders will receive:

• Full funding, covering fees and living expenses
• Mentoring during their time here from our Fellows
• Support as they apply for further academic courses or for post-university employment

How to apply

The Scholarships are open to UK-domiciled candidates from non-traditional/underrepresented backgrounds intending to commence an MPhil or PhD in a STEM subject.

If you have any questions, please contact: graduate.office@queens.cam.ac.uk

In October 2020, Queens' welcomed the first recipients of the Scholarship: Tomi Akingbade (PhD), Adil Mian (MPhil) and Chloe Sainsbury (MPhil).

Dr Mohamed El-Erian chats with Tomi on being the first Alexander Crummell PhD Scholar and why she applied for the scheme.

We also heard from Chloe who, since joining to do her Master's, has decided to stay at Queens' and commence to a PhD.

About Alexander Crummell

Alexander Crummell (1819-98) studied at Queens' College and was the first black student to receive a degree from the University of Cambridge. He went on to become one of the finest black American writers before the twentieth century. He became a leading figure in the movement for equality and was active in this cause at different times in the United States, Britain and Africa.

Read more about Alexander Crummell in The Queens' College Record.

These scholarships have been provided by generous donors to the College - we are most grateful to them.