The British Friends of Harvard Business School

The British Friends of Harvard Business School is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1000531).

The British Friends of Harvard Business School exists to support British graduates to attend Harvard Business School, through scholarships and access initiatives. It has provided scholarships to 85 British graduates to study at Harvard, with each scholarship providing up to £125,000 depending on financial need. Its programmes include HBS UK Social Enterprise Scholarships, which give non-profit leaders the chance to take part in Strategic Perspectives in Non-profit Management.

Priority Areas

The British Friends of Harvard Business School supports British graduates to attend Harvard Business School through scholarships and access initiatives. Its MBA scholarships support British students from non-traditional career paths, a variety of universities and those with financial need, contributing to tuition and living costs. It also supports social enterprise scholarships that enable non-profit leaders to take part in Harvard Business School executive education. For this programme, eligible organisations are UK-based, mission-driven and operate primarily for social or public benefit. Its access programmes work with state schools and UK universities to encourage applications to Harvard Business School and other leading MBA programmes. Selection for MBA scholarships considers financial need, leadership and experience, and a desire to give back to the British Friends and the UK.

Themes

• Business education
• Non-profit leadership education
• Education access

Geographic Focus

UK; Northern Ireland.

For the HBS UK Social Enterprise Scholarship, HBS alumni nominate non-profit leaders for consideration; nominees complete the scholarship application form.

Deadlines: Applications usually open in January and the submission deadline is in early April.

Application windows:

• Applications usually open in January and the deadline is in early April.

Who can apply:

• MBA scholarships: UK citizen, or Irish citizen normally resident in Northern Ireland. Or dual UK nationality. Candidates must apply to and secure admission to Harvard Business School, directly and independently before commencing a scholarship application. Candidates already studying at HBS are not eligible. Candidates on the 2+2 program are eligible for consideration once their MBA studies have been confirmed.
• HBS UK Social Enterprise Scholarship: Candidates must be non-profit CEOs or Executive Directors, responsible for shaping the direction, mission, policies, and major programmes of their organisations. Candidates should have at least 10 years of professional work experience and demonstrate a clear strategic leadership role within their organisation.

What to send:

• MBA scholarships
  • A completed application package, including responses to two essay questions and a financial declaration form.
  • A copy of the HBS application form. Candidates on the 2+2 program are requested to submit their original 2+2 program application and an updated CV.
  • Supporting documentation to verify income.
  • A certified copy of a British passport.

What the charity says:

• Financial need is a primary selection consideration.
• The foundation particularly encourages applicants from non-traditional career backgrounds, a variety of universities and those with financial need.
• It considers leadership qualities, ambassadorial skills, cultural sensitivity and a desire to learn about and share British culture.
• It values experience and interest in extracurricular and community activities.
• Applicants are expected to want to give back to the British Friends and the UK after graduation.