Texas A&M Student Wins Churchill Scholarship to Cambridge

Montgomery Bohde just became the first Texas A&M student in history to win the Churchill Scholarship, one of the most competitive academic honors in the nation.

The Plano native is one of only 16 students nationwide selected for the 2026-27 Churchill Scholarship. The award covers everything: tuition, living expenses, and travel costs for a master's degree at Churchill College in Cambridge, England.

Bohde isn't your typical computer science major. He's working on something that could change medicine as we know it: using machine learning to understand how molecules move and interact. His research could lead to breakthrough drugs, new treatments, and better diagnostic tools for diseases.

"I want to publish something impactful enough that it changes the way people approach the problem," Bohde said. His ambition has already paid off with two other national fellowships this year: the Goldwater Scholarship and Astronaut Scholarship.

The Ripple Effect

Bohde's win marks a turning point for Texas A&M. The university has ramped up its support for competitive national fellowships in recent years, expanding advising and mentorship through the Office of National Fellowships. That investment just produced its first Churchill Scholar.

Dr. Gisele Cardoso de Lemos, who manages the program, introduced Bohde to the opportunity. He credits her and countless other mentors for guiding him through the rigorous application process.

The Churchill Scholarship honors Sir Winston Churchill's vision of strengthening partnerships between the United States and United Kingdom. Since 1959, it has sent America's brightest scientific minds to Cambridge to advance research that benefits both nations.

Bohde sees his achievement as bigger than personal success. "This award is proof that Aggies belong in every room where research excellence is being recognized," he said. "I'm proud to be the first because it makes it easier for the second and third to imagine themselves there."

His research at Texas A&M has already connected him with top scientists at MIT and positioned him to make real contributions in molecular science. Now he's taking that work to one of the world's premier research institutions.

One student's dream just opened doors for an entire university.