Sir Richard Trainor, CEO, Rhodes Trust
The Rhodes Trust, an educational charity that brings together and develops exceptional people who challenge the norm and courageously work towards a better future, has opened applications for the 2026 Rhodes Scholarship, which is a postgraduate opportunity to join outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.
There are two Global Rhodes Scholarships available each year, which cover any country or region, and they allow eligible candidates from the rest of the world (i.e., not strongly connected to any other Rhodes Scholarships Constituency) to apply for a Scholarship, subject to nomination. Applicants can request and receive a nomination through the application form itself, as they will not be able to apply for a Global Rhodes Scholarship unless a nomination from their institution has been received.
Applicants’ eligibility for the Global Scholarship must also be confirmed by a member of the Rhodes House team, and this will be done through the application form. Applicants will only be able to submit once they have received approval.
As the Rhodes Scholarships are place-based, the eligibility criteria, application requirements, and selection process vary slightly, depending on which constituency an applicant is applying for. Prospective applicants who want to ensure that they have all of the information they need to apply should please read the Information for Candidates – specific to Global – carefully. They should also check the Conditions of Tenure to ensure that their proposed course of study is covered by the Rhodes Scholarship and share the Guidance for Referees with their referees.
The Rhodes Scholarship is merit-based, and there is no such thing as a ‘type’ when considering who gets selected. The strength of the Scholarship comes from its rigorous selection criteria and diversity.
The selection criteria include literary and scholastic attainments, energy to use one’s talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involved), truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness, fellowship, moral force of character instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one’s fellow beings.
The detailed eligibility criteria vary slightly depending on the constituency an applicant is applying for; therefore, applicants are encouraged to use the eligibility checker tool to find out if they meet the criteria and are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Selection for the Rhodes scholarships takes place in each constituency and is overseen by the relevant National Secretary and their team. The closing date for receipt of applications is July 31, 2025, at 23:59 GMT.
