Eisenhower Global Scholars is the postgraduate study award of Eisenhower Fellowships, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that runs leadership fellowships worldwide. Each year it sends up to four graduates of American universities abroad for one academic year of postgraduate study in Europe.
Scholars take one of two degrees, both taught in English: the Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, or the Master in International Relations at the School of Global and Public Affairs, IE University in Madrid. The Oxford route suits candidates focused on public service and governance; the Madrid route suits candidates focused on the global economy, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The award is built around a project. Applicants bring a concrete project idea that the year of study will advance, meet Eisenhower Fellows in Europe during and after the year, and may take an optional summer internship arranged through the Eisenhower Fellows Global Network.
Benefits & funding
- An all-expenses-paid academic year of postgraduate study; Eisenhower Fellowships states that it covers all major expenses. The program pages publish no itemised breakdown and no stipend figure.
- A master’s degree from either the University of Oxford or IE University, with all coursework in English.
- Up to four scholars selected each year.
- An optional summer internship arranged through the Eisenhower Fellows Global Network.
- Meetings with Eisenhower Fellows in Europe during and after the study year, and a lasting connection to the EF network.
Eligibility
- Open to U.S. citizens and U.S. legal permanent residents.
- Applicants must have graduated from a four-year American university.
- Scholars are selected from candidates admitted to the Oxford Master of Public Policy or the IE Master in International Relations, so admission to one of those degrees is part of the route.
- A strong undergraduate record, with a grade point average of 3.7 out of 4.0 preferred, alongside community involvement and demonstrated leadership.
- A demonstrated commitment to public service or to fostering entrepreneurship, and a concrete project proposal that the study year will advance.
- Age 20 to 30 is preferred, not required.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Residence required
USA
Education required
Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Apply for admission to the Master of Public Policy at Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government or the Master in International Relations at IE University.
- 2Prepare the Eisenhower Global Scholars application in parallel. Oxford advises having it ready before master’s offers are announced, because the scholarship closes soon afterwards.
- 3Submit the scholarship application through the Eisenhower Fellowships online portal within the application window; the 2026–2027 round ran from 11 December 2025 to 21 March 2026.
- 4Finalists are interviewed, and candidates are then informed of their selection status.
- 5Selected scholars go through a preparation phase in the months before the academic year, then travel to Europe in the autumn.
Program timeline
Applications open for the 2026–2027 round
Dec 11, 2025
Application deadline for the 2026–2027 round
Mar 21, 2026
After the deadline
Application review and interviews of finalists
Following the interviews
Candidates informed of their selection status
Months before the academic year
Preparation phase for selected scholars
Autumn
Travel to Europe and start of the academic year