Scope
Reference
Project_12388
Description
This project covers the Marshall Scholarship Programme which is the UK's flagship US-UK scholarships programme and the Chevening Programme which provides individuals who show the potential to inspire, inform, and influence positive change, with an opportunity to study at a UK university and gain a UK educational qualification. We are procuring for a provider to deliver these Scholarships. Likely administration contract requirements include;
Programme Delivery
Marketing and Communications
Alumni Engagement
Partnerships
Finance
Monitoring and Evaluation
Total value (estimated)
- £0 excluding VAT
- £0 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2030
- Possible extension to 31 August 2032
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75121000 - Administrative educational services
- 79342000 - Marketing services
- 75112000 - Administrative services for business operations
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
18 February 2026
Engagement process description
Summary of the Requirement
The FCDO is seeking to engage with the market ahead of a planned procurement to appoint a delivery partner to manage the end to end administration of two flagship international scholarship programmes:
• Chevening Scholarships – operating globally across 160+ countries
• Marshall Scholarships – supporting US UK academic exchange
The future supplier will be responsible for delivering services including:
• Global communications and outreach
• Application and selection management
• Scholar and fellow placement support
• Pre departure services and UK based welfare
• Alumni engagement
• Monitoring, evaluation, data and reporting
• Financial administration and partnership management
The supplier must demonstrate innovation, operational resilience, global reach, and strong commitments to social value, inclusion, diversity, sustainability, and value for money.
Purpose of This Engagement
The purpose of this PME is to:
• Test market interest and capacity
• Refine the requirement and commercial model
• Explore potential delivery approaches
• Assess capability across relevant service areas
• Inform the final route to market decision (CCS FADS (RM6322) DPS or full PA23 open competition)
This engagement is not a call for competition.
Participation will not affect the ability of suppliers to compete in any future procurement.
The FCDO intends to host a virtual supplier engagement session
Registration: Please register your interest by completing the form below.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
31 December 2026
Contracting authority
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXRR-8771-PHVX
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom
Email: commercial.smi@fcdo.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government