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Act of Parliament 1953

The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission

The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission runs the UK’s flagship scholarship programme with the United States

The Marshall Commission was established by an Act of Parliament in 1953 to administer the Marshall Scholarship programme as an Executive Agency of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The Commission comprises up to 10 Commissioners who act as a Board for the programme, setting direction, providing oversight and adding value to the scholars experience in the UK, using their personal networks and experience to give them access to interesting and insightful opportunities. The Commission is supported by dedicated staff at the British Council, which is contracted to administer the Marshall Scholarship programme.

Commissioners are responsible for:

  • Overseeing the grant-in-aid provided by the FCDO funding Marshall Scholarships for talented graduates from the United States, as well as nurturing the programme’s increasingly important funding partnerships with academic institutions and others.
  • Overseeing the selection of Scholars, working with Regional Selection Committees in the USA, in co-ordination with Consuls General and the Ambassador’s Advisory Council in Washington.
  • Ensuring Scholars receive appropriate advice and assistance while in the UK.
  • The effective delivery of the Marshall programme, with support from the secretariat.
  • Ensuring Marshall makes a valuable and enduring contribution to UK-US relations.
Marshall Scholars support the aims of General Marshall when, in 1947 he proposed the idea of American economic assistance for post-war Europe. He said "An essential part of any successful action on the part of the United States is an understanding on the part of the American people of the character of the problem and the remedies to be applied. Political passion and prejudice should have no part. With foresight and the willingness on the part of our people to face up to the vast responsibilities which history has clearly placed upon our country, the difficulties...can and will be overcome". Successive British Prime ministers have endorsed these ideals.