Charles And Julia Henry Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £277,035 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Highly competitive (estimated <10%)
• Decision Time: 1 week after interview
• Grant Range: £40,000 - £50,000 per fellowship (approx.)
• Geographic Focus: UK, Ireland, and USA
• Total Awards: 6 fellowships annually (2 Henry, 2 Procter, 2 Choate)

Contact Details

General Enquiries:

• Email: hpcfellowships@admin.cam.ac.uk
• Phone: 01223 764661
• Contact Person: Ms Bahar Abdi
• Address: University of Cambridge, Student Funding and Fee Policy Team, New Museums Site, Cambridge CB2 3PT
• Website: https://www.henry-procter-choate.fund.cam.ac.uk/

Overview

The Charles and Julia Henry Fund was established in 1927 following the death of Lady Julia Lewisohn Henry, created “in the earnest hope and desire of cementing bonds of friendship” between Britain and the United States. The Fund was established in memory of her son Cyril Henry, who died in World War I. With an income of £400,721 and annual expenditure of £277,035 (2023-24), the Fund provides prestigious one-year fellowships enabling academic exchange between Harvard, Yale, Cambridge, and Oxford Universities. The charity is governed by 12 Trustees—three appointed by each of the four partner universities—ensuring balanced representation across institutions. Notable alumni include Alan Turing (Procter Fellow, 1937) and Norman Foster (Henry Fellow, 1961), demonstrating the Fund's long-standing contribution to developing exceptional scholars and leaders across disciplines.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Henry Fellowship: £40,500+

• Two fellowships awarded annually
• For British/Irish university students to attend Harvard or Yale
• For Harvard/Yale students to attend Oxford or Cambridge
• One academic year (non-renewable)
• Covers: Full tuition, £3,000 travel grant, $37,500 maintenance grant, health insurance
• Application: Fixed annual deadline (January)

Procter Fellowship: £35,000+

• Two fellowships awarded annually (one recommended by Cambridge, one by Oxford)
• For young British and French scholars to study at Princeton University
• One-year visiting fellowship (not a degree program)
• Covers: Minimum $42,000 maintenance grant (10 months), tuition, health insurance
• Focus: Liberal Arts and Sciences research
• Application: Trustee nomination process

Choate Fellowship: £30,000+

• Two fellowships awarded annually
• Exclusively for British citizens (preference for Cambridge students)
• Study in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences
• Covers: Minimum $34,000 maintenance grant, full tuition, health insurance
• One-year non-renewable fellowship
• Application: Trustee selection process

Priority Areas

The Fund prioritizes:

• Academic excellence and “outstanding and sustained academic achievement”
• Interdisciplinary learning and exploration
• Leadership potential and capacity to make a mark in public life
• Character and ability to serve as ambassadors for the Fund
• International friendship and cultural exchange between Britain and America
• Scholars across all disciplines with appropriate balance maintained by Trustees

What They Don't Fund

• PhD candidates (for Henry and Choate Funds; Procter is suitable for PhD students in liberal arts)
• Study periods less than one full academic year
• Scholars who cannot commit to returning to the British Isles after the fellowship year
• Teaching or paid work during the fellowship period (Procter Fund)
• Degree programs (Procter Fund is for visiting research only)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (12 members)

Cambridge Trustees:

• Lord Simon Woolley - Principal of Homerton College (Chair)
• Mary Hockaday - Master of Trinity Hall
• Lord Simon McDonald - Master of Christ's College

Oxford Trustees:

• Dinah Rose KC - President of Magdalen College
• Stephen Blyth - Principal of Lady Margaret Hall

Harvard Trustees:

• Alan Garber - President of Harvard University
• Marc Goodheart - Vice President, Secretary of Harvard University
• Rakesh Khurana - Dean of Harvard College

Yale Trustees:

• Maurie McInnis - President of Yale University
• Kimberly Goff-Crews - Vice President, Secretary for Student Life
• Pericles Lewis - Dean of Yale College

The Trustees aim to maintain “an appropriate balance of disciplines” when appointing fellows and operate through a decentralized selection process where different trustees nominate fellows based on their institutional affiliations.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Period:

• Applications open: 1 November
• Application deadline: 3 January
• References deadline: 10 January

Application Requirements:

1. Two written references (at least one from someone familiar with university work)
2. Copy of passport (for shortlisted candidates)
3. Student status certification

Reference Requirements:

Referees must comment on:

• Candidate's personality and specific interests
• Scholarly ability
• Leadership potential
• Capacity to make a mark in public life

Interview Process:

• 15-minute interview with British Trustees
• Held in London in February (specific date: 12 February 2026)
• No presentation or test required
• Focus areas:
• Plans for the year abroad
• Serving as an ambassador for the Fund
• Future plans after US study

Decision Timeline

• Interviews: 12 February
• Decisions communicated: Within one week of interview (19 February 2026)
• Total timeline: Approximately 3.5 months from application opening to decision

The Trustees make quick decisions, with applicants informed within one week of their interview.

Success Rates

While specific success rate statistics are not published, the Fund is highly competitive:

• Only 6 total fellowships awarded annually (2 Henry, 2 Procter, 2 Choate)
• Candidates must hold or be likely to achieve a First-Class degree
• Selection based on “outstanding and sustained academic achievement, strength of character, and potential for leadership”
• Estimated success rate of less than 10% based on the prestige and limited number of awards

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Candidates are encouraged to contact hpcfellowships@admin.cam.ac.uk for guidance on reapplication eligibility and procedures.

Application Success Factors

Based on alumni testimonials and official guidance, successful applicants demonstrate:

1. Intellectual Curiosity and Flexibility

As alumna Maia Elsner (2017-18) noted: “The beauty of this fellowship is it gifts you time and space to really explore, to change direction, to learn more about yourself, to grow.” Successful applicants embrace interdisciplinary learning rather than narrowly defined research projects.

2. Clear Vision with Openness to Discovery

Miri Fenton (2011-12) shared that her year “shaped my academic trajectory,” leading to an interdisciplinary PhD combining history, philosophy, and law. The personal statement should articulate specific plans while demonstrating openness to unexpected opportunities.

3. Leadership and Public Impact Potential

References must address “capacity for leadership and ability to make a mark in public life.” This extends beyond academic achievement to consider broader societal contribution.

4. Ambassador Qualities

Interview focus includes ability to serve as an ambassador for the Fund. Applicants should demonstrate cultural sensitivity, communication skills, and commitment to fostering UK-US friendship.

5. Personal Transformation Goals

William Bordell (2015-16) described his fellowship year as “one of the most fulfilling, enriching and extraordinary years.” Successful applicants articulate how the fellowship fits into personal and professional development beyond just academic credentials.

6. Academic Excellence as Baseline

First-Class degree expected (or equivalent). George Rosenfeld (2021-22) valued "the program's flexibility" but academic rigor remains non-negotiable.

7. Interdisciplinary Engagement

Alumni consistently reference taking courses across departments. Proposals should demonstrate interest in broad intellectual engagement rather than narrow specialization.

Key Quote: “The Henry Fellowship is one of those rare experiences that expands your sense of the world and the possibilities you see in it” - reflecting the transformational experience Trustees seek to enable.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Elite but holistic selection: First-Class degree is baseline; character, leadership, and personal qualities equally critical
• Think beyond academics: References must address personality, leadership potential, and public life capacity—not just scholarly achievement
• Embrace interdisciplinary vision: Successful applicants demonstrate intellectual curiosity across disciplines rather than narrow specialization
• Quick decision timeline: One week from interview to decision shows efficient process; be prepared to respond quickly
• Ambassador mindset: Interview focuses on serving as representative of the Fund and fostering UK-US friendship
• Personal transformation matters: Articulate how the fellowship fits into broader personal and professional development goals
• Mandatory return clause: Fellows must return to British Isles after the fellowship year—demonstrate commitment to this requirement
• Institutional prestige is significant: Alumni include Nobel Prize winners (Alan Turing) and world-renowned architects (Norman Foster)—competition is at the highest level

References

1. Charles and Julia Henry Fund website - https://www.henry-procter-choate.fund.cam.ac.uk/
2. Henry Fund Overview - https://www.henry-procter-choate.fund.cam.ac.uk/henry-fund
3. Procter Fund Details - https://www.henry-procter-choate.fund.cam.ac.uk/procter-fund
4. Choate Fund Information - https://www.henry-procter-choate.fund.cam.ac.uk/choate-fund
5. Application Process - https://www.henry-procter-choate.fund.cam.ac.uk/henry-fund/henry-fund-how-apply
6. FAQs - https://www.henry-procter-choate.fund.cam.ac.uk/faqs
7. Alumni Experiences - https://www.henry-procter-choate.fund.cam.ac.uk/testimonials/alumni-experiences
8. Trustees Information - https://www.henry-procter-choate.fund.cam.ac.uk/trustees
9. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1155582 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1155582&subid=0
10. Alumni testimonials including quotes from Miri Fenton (Henry Fellow 2011-2012), Maia Elsner (Henry Fellow 2017-2018), William Bordell (Henry Fellow 2015-2016), and George Rosenfeld (Henry Fellow 2021-22)