The Shell Centenary Scholarship Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2.5-3 million
• Success Rate: Highly competitive (< 5%)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: Full scholarships covering tuition, living expenses, and travel
• Geographic Focus: Developing countries (90+ countries eligible)

Contact Details

• Website: http://www.shellcentenaryscholarshipfund.org/
• Email: si-tscsf@shell.com
• Phone: 020 7934 3034
• Address: Shell International Limited, London, UK

Overview

The Shell Centenary Scholarship Fund (TSCSF) was established in 1997 to commemorate the centenary of The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company. With annual funding of approximately £2.5-3 million, the fund provides full scholarships for postgraduate students from developing countries to pursue Master's degrees at leading UK and Dutch universities. The scholarship program focuses on developing future leaders in fields critical to sustainable development, particularly energy, environmental studies, and related technical disciplines. The fund has supported over 1,000 scholars from more than 90 countries since its inception, creating a global network of professionals contributing to their home countries' development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Shell Centenary Scholarships: Full scholarships covering tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and health insurance for one-year Master's programs
• Partner Universities: Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University College London, University of Edinburgh, Leeds University, Durham University (UK); Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente (Netherlands)

Priority Areas

• Energy studies and engineering
• Environmental sciences and sustainability
• Applied sciences and technology
• Economics and social sciences (with development focus)
• Natural resource management
• Climate change and renewable energy

What They Don't Fund

• Undergraduate studies
• PhD programs
• Short courses or diplomas
• Studies in countries other than UK and Netherlands
• Students already enrolled in programs
• Second Master's degrees

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Governance and Leadership

The fund is administered by Shell International Limited with oversight from a board of trustees. The scholarship program is managed through partnerships with selected universities, each having dedicated scholarship coordinators. The selection process involves both Shell representatives and university academics to ensure candidates meet both academic excellence and leadership potential criteria.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are made directly through partner universities as part of their Master's degree application process. Each university has specific procedures:

1. Apply for admission to eligible Master's program at partner university
2. Indicate interest in Shell Centenary Scholarship on application
3. Complete additional scholarship application requirements
4. Universities nominate candidates to TSCSF

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: October - January (varies by university)
• University Nominations: February - March
• Final Selections: April - May
• Notification: May - June
• Program Start: September/October

Success Rates

The scholarship is highly competitive with typically fewer than 5% of applicants receiving awards. Each university can nominate limited candidates, and final selection considers geographic distribution, field of study, and development impact potential.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants cannot reapply for the same academic year but may apply for subsequent years if they meet eligibility criteria and have not commenced their studies.

Application Success Factors

Based on successful scholarship profiles and program priorities:

• Academic Excellence: First-class or upper second-class honors degree minimum
• Development Focus: Clear articulation of how studies will contribute to home country development
• Leadership Potential: Demonstrated leadership experience and future leadership vision
• Field Alignment: Strong match between proposed studies and fund's priority areas (energy, environment, sustainable development)
• Geographic Considerations: Priority given to underrepresented countries and regions
• Professional Experience: 2-5 years relevant work experience preferred
• Return Commitment: Clear intention and plan to return to home country after studies

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The scholarship is exclusively for students from developing countries pursuing specific Master's programs at partner universities
• Applications must go through university admission processes - no direct applications to Shell
• Strong emphasis on leadership potential and development impact in home country
• Highly competitive with rigorous selection involving both universities and Shell
• Full financial support provided, removing all financial barriers to study
• Focus on STEM fields and disciplines relevant to sustainable development
• Creating compelling narratives about development impact and leadership potential is crucial

References

• Shell Centenary Scholarship Fund Official Website (http://www.shellcentenaryscholarshipfund.org/)
• Partner university scholarship pages (Imperial College, Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Edinburgh, Leeds, Durham, TU Delft, TU Eindhoven, University of Twente)
• Shell Global Scholarship Programs information
• British Council Scholarship Database
• Netherlands Fellowship Programs database
• Accessed: December 2024