Kennedy Scholarships

We are delighted to announce that Sarah Mitchell has been appointed by the Prime Minister as a new Independent Trustee of the Kennedy Memorial Trust.

Sarah is Chief Executive of Cycling UK and has dedicated her career to leadership in the charity and public sectors — from running Heart of the City to advising UK government policy and serving as Vice-Chair of the Nationwide Foundation. She is also the author of Charity Management: Leadership Evolution and Change and lectures at Bayes Business School in London.

Sarah shared her excitement about joining the Board:

“The opportunity to study in the US is life-changing for Kennedy Scholars. It’s also incredibly valuable to all of us, because these outstanding students have a strong personal commitment to public service, which shapes their career-paths and our society. I am excited about joining the KMT Board to support many more outstanding students to gain the benefits of this incredible experience.”

We very much look forward to working with Sarah as we continue to support the next generation of Kennedy Scholars.

🎓 Only 4 Days Left to Apply for a Kennedy Scholarship

The Kennedy Scholarship offers an incredible opportunity for British graduates to pursue a master’s degree, PhD, or non-degree study as a Special Student/Visiting Fellow at two of the world’s leading institutions - Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

🗓️ Deadline to submit completed applications: 20 October 2025

📬 References are only contacted once you hit ‘submit’.

⏳ Referees have one week after the deadline to upload their letters — so please submit early to give them enough time.

💡 The scholarship covers tuition, health insurance, and living costs — and connects you to a global network of scholars and leaders.

🔗 Apply now or share with someone who you think should:

Kennedy Memorial Trust The Kennedy Memorial Trust was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1964 as a living memorial to President Kennedy following his tragic assassination.

Just 10 days left to apply for a Kennedy Scholarship for the next academic year.

This time last year, George and Robbie were submitting their applications. The Kennedy Scholarship has taken them both to Harvard University, and yesterday they had the opportunity to sit down with former England men’s senior manager, Sir Gareth Southgate, to talk about leadership and integrity. The day before, Sir Gareth had spoken at Harvard Business School, where he is visiting lecturer.

Where could a Kennedy Scholarship take you?

🗓️ Applications close: 20 October 2025

🔗For more information and to apply, visit: www.kennedytrust.org.uk

The Trust is seeking to appoint two new Trustees who will bring complementary expertise to the Board.

One Trustee will be a senior leader with significant fundraising experience. The other will bring deep operational and governance expertise, ideally with exposure to the charity sector, to strengthen the Trust’s financial oversight and compliance.

Both will be collaborative, strategic and committed to ensuring that the Kennedy Scholarships continue to thrive and expand, enabling talented students to benefit from these life-changing opportunities.

We are partnering with Nurole, the leading board-level search specialist, to find our new Trustees. You can find out more and apply - https://app.nurole.com/roles/share/E2US

Apply now for a 2026-27 Kennedy Scholarship to support master’s degree, PhD, or non-degree study as a Special Student/Visiting Fellow at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Open to British citizens primarily educated in and ordinarily resident in the UK.

We had a wonderful gathering of Kennedy Scholars at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston to welcome our new scholars to the city as they settle in to their studies and life in the US.

Former scholars from every decade of our first 60 years joined us, and those who have remained in the US following the scholarship always provide invaluable support and networks to our newest arrivals. We were also delighted to be joined by David Clay MBE, British Consul General to New England, and colleagues from both Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A heartfelt thank you to Rachel Flor, Christine Sierra, and the entire John F. Kennedy Library Foundation team for their generous hospitality. It is always such a pleasure to work with you on this very special annual occasion - and the private tour is a real treat!

Our Chair of Trustees, Sir Mark Walport, recently announced he is stepping down in July 2025 after two full terms on the Board. Sir Mark has given exceptional service to the Trust and we will ensure there is an opportunity to thank him fully in the new year.

We have now begun the process to appoint Sir Mark’s successor and have selected Nurole to help us with this. Nurole is a leading search firm appointing Chairs and non-executives, with a particular specialism in the not-for-profit sector.

The position is live on the Nurole website where you can find further details.

https://lnkd.in/eeGPCdPv

If you would like a conversation before doing so please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

We expect a preferred candidate to be identified towards the end of January 2025. Once formal approval from the UK Prime Minister is received, we look forward to announcing our new Chair of Trustees in spring 2025.

Alumni, guests and friends gathered at The Royal Society to hear a panel of experts from the Kennedy scholar community discuss the “New Frontier” in Artificial Intelligence.

Our brilliant panel were Nikhila Ravi (H,16-17) who joined from New York, Matt Clifford (MIT, 08-09) and Professor Andrew Blake (MIT, 77-78). The discussion was superbly chaired by Shashank Joshi (H, 07-08).

Themes included the rise of AI, its role and recent recognition on the world stage and the importance and implications of AI in our both our personal and professional lives.

That we can convene such leading voices from the industry, academia and government to share their insights with us is a testament to both the impact of the scholarship and the incredible achievements of our community. We are hugely grateful to for all involved for sharing their time and expertise.

We join with the world in celebrating the tremendous life and achievements of Ethel Kennedy.

She is an inspiration to us all. The Kennedy scholarships contribute to a better world by furthering the ideals of leadership, public service and intellectual endeavour. Today, our scholars seek to uphold the causes she championed - of justice, human rights and the creation of a peaceful world.

We share our sincere condolences with her family.

From Sir Mark Walport (Chair) on behalf of the Kennedy Memorial Trust

📷 AR6287-F. Swearing in ceremony and reception for Cabinet members and their families, East Room, White House, Washington, D.C. Newly sworn-in Cabinet members and their families pose with President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Ethel Kennedy stands towards the left of the photograph, with her husband Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.

📷 Abbie Rowe. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston