One of the largest scholarships programmes ever for university education was officially announced by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the University of Cambridge. Establishing a trust worth US$210 million, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has set up a scheme that will run in perpetuity and enable gifted graduate students to study at Cambridge.

Graduate students from every country in the world outside the UK will be able to apply now for scholarships for entry in 2001; the scholarships will cover all costs, including tuition, maintenance and travel. Gates Cambridge Scholars will be selected on grounds of academic ability and leadership potential. It is expected that at any one time there will be not less than 225 Gates Cambridge Scholars in residence.

Through this initiative the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hopes to create a network of future leaders who will bring new vision and commitment to improving the life circumstances of citizens in their respective countries. The programme will draw talented applicants from around the world, people from a wide array of backgrounds, representing a span of interests. Over time, it is anticipated that Gates Cambridge Scholars will take a lead in addressing global problems related to health, equity, technology, and learning--all areas in which the Foundation is deeply engaged.

The scholarships are for a tenure of one to three years, with the possible extension of a fourth year. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of the candidates' intellectual abilities, leadership capacity and commitment to use their knowledge to contribute to the benefit of society throughout the world.

Students can apply through: http://www.gates.scholarships.cam.ac.uk or by telephoning the Gates Cambridge Trust Office on +44 1223 338467.

Dr Hubertus F. Jahn
Clare College, Cambridge CB2 1TL
United Kingdom