Gates Cambridge is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025 with a host of events bringing Scholars and Alumni together and recognising the impact they have had around the world. We are celebrating both what scholars have already achieved and looking forward to the next 25 years.
The scholarship programme was set up in 2000, following an historic donation of US$210m from the Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. The first class of scholars came into residence in October 2001. Since then, the Trust has awarded 2,156 scholarships to scholars from 115 countries. There are over 250 scholars in residence at any given time. 25 additional scholarships will be awarded as part of our celebrations, meaning that the Class of 2025 will comprise 100 scholars.
The anniversary year kicked off with the announcement of our eight Impact Prize winners in January. A big focus of the year will be on the scholarship’s ‘ripple effect’ – the many ways our scholars have a positive impact across the world – in their fields, in their workplaces and in wider society, now and in the future.
Eilis Ferran, Provost of Gates Cambridge, says: “For 25 years now, students from across the globe have come to Cambridge to work with us and become part of our community. Then, when they go back out into the world as Gates Cambridge scholars, they make it a better place in ways no one could have predicted at the start. Whether a contribution as small as a poem that heals a single human heart or vast as the medicine that cures a million, the possibilities we set in motion are infinite. This is the heart – and the wonder – of the Gates Cambridge mission. To create a limitless ripple effect of possibility and change.”
The anniversary celebration highlights include:
The Impact Prize ceremony took place in January 2025. Eight winners were announced who have made a demonstrable contribution to change in various fields, including the economy, society, culture, the environment, public policy, health and quality of life.
Anniversary Gates Cambridge Lecture: Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS – 6th March 2025
Cambridge Festival panel: Ideas that could change the world – 21st March 2025: A panel event featuring cutting edge researchers addressing 3D bioprinting, access to healthcare and food security.
8th May: A day of celebration with a focus on what current scholars are doing, a look at the impact our alumni have made and a wide-ranging discussion on the role of international scholarship programmes now and in the future.
14th June: Gates Cambridge Weekend, featuring a panel discussion on climate change justice.
Throughout the year there are also a series of films, including the 25@25 series and an anniversary edition of our podcast series, So, now what?
Follow all the celebrations on our social media pages, including:
Instagram: @gates.cambridge
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gatescambridge
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/gates-cambridge/
