Gates Cambridge Scholarship

A student walking a path at King's College, University of Cambridge, UK.

Students from the University of Rochester are among those vying for Gates Cambridge Scholarships to pursue postgraduate degrees at Cambridge University in the UK.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship logo.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship program was established in 2000 with a donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge in Great Britain. Each year, full-cost scholarships are offered to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue full-time postgraduate degrees in any subject available at Cambridge.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship mission is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. Scholarships are offered to students who have demonstrated academic achievement and a commitment to social concerns.

Recent Gates Cambridge Scholars

Congratulations to our most recent University of Rochester recipient of the Gates Cambridge Scholarship!

Fatima ZaidouniFatima Zaidouni ’20
Area of study: Physics and astronomy (BS)
Minor: Mathematics

Fatima Zaidouni ’20, a physics and astronomy major from Temara, Morocco, was selected in spring 2020—one of 77 students from 30 nations chosen. She became the sixth University of Rochester student or alumnus to win the scholarship, and only the second undergraduate to do so.

“I was surprised and extremely delighted to receive this honor,” Zaidouni says. “I feel humbled and thankful for the journey that led to this.”

Read Zaidouni’s Newscenter Article

Past Gates Cambridge Scholars and Finalists

2018 Scholars

Levan Bokeria ’14
Areas of study: Philosophy (BA) and brain and cognitive sciences (BA)

Garrett M. Rubin ’12E, ’13 (T5)
Area of study: Applied music: voice (BM)

2016 Scholar

Pedro Vallejo-Ramirez ’16
Area of study: Optical engineering (BS)

2015 Scholar

Anjalene Whittier ’14
Area of study: Psychology (BA)

2011 Scholar

David T. Liebers ’09
Area of study: Ecology and evolutionary biology (BS) and history (BA)

2010 Finalist

Randy Mehlenbacher ’10
Areas of study: Chemistry (BS) and physics (BS)

2009 Finalists

Kristin M. Beck ’09
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and math (BA)

Colleen A. Kellenberger ’09
Areas of study: Chemistry (BS) and molecular genetics *BS)

2008 Finalists

Eugene Feygelson ’07E
Areas of study: Applied music: violin (BM) and musical arts (BM)

Kathryn E. Knowles ’08
Areas of study: Chemistry (BS) and math (BA)