Privacy Statement

Privacy Statement / Website Privacy Policy / Use of Personal Data

Last revised 29 January 2024

Who we are

This Privacy Statement explains how your personal data is used by us, The Rhodes Trust (of South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RG, United Kingdom) through its Schmidt Science Fellows team,  established within The Rhodes Trust in partnership with Schmidt Sciences (see below). You can find out more about the Rhodes Trust here, and how it uses personal data more generally here. This statement, however, concerns the use of your personal data by the Schmidt Science Fellows team within the Rhodes Trust.

The Rhodes Trust through the Schmidt Science Fellows team is committed to protecting the privacy and rights of their data subjects, including website visitors.

Our partner

Schmidt Sciences,  the partner of The Rhodes Trust in respect of the Schmidt Science Fellows program, is a philanthropy dedicated to fostering the advancement of science and technology. Schmidt Sciences is a subsidiary of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation in California. Schmidt Sciences has a governing role, together with The Rhodes Trust, in the Schmidt Science Fellows program but the day-to-day operations sit with the Schmidt Science Fellows team at The Rhodes Trust.

How we use personal data

To understand how your personally identifiable and browser information is used on this website, click here.

To understand the other ways The Rhodes Trust through the Schmidt Science Fellows program uses your personal data, click here.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS OF DATA

You are hereby informed that, for the purposes specified under this statement, we may share your personal information with third parties located in, or Schmidt Science Fellows staff may process your personal data in, countries located outside the UK or the European Union. This includes Schmidt Sciences representatives, who will consider fellowship applications, and who are based in the United States.

If we do transfer your personal information to any such countries which do not provide an adequate level of data protection, those transfers will be carried out in accordance with one of the methods or derogations approved by the UK Information Commissioner. These may include standard contractual clauses (such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement, as amended from time to time, which governs the sharing of data between The Rhodes Trust and Schmidt Sciences) or a permitted one-off derogation: for example, to fulfill or enter into a contract on your instructions (such as your application to be a Fellow), or with your explicit consent.

Embark Corporation, in the State of New York, operate our applications portal, and their privacy policy can be found here.

Retention of Personal Data

We will retain data for as long as is necessary for the purposes set forth above.

If we have a contract with you, we will keep your information for the duration of the contract, and the applicable limitation period for claims thereafter (usually six years).

In the event of a negative outcome to your application, we will (unless you request otherwise) keep your file for a reasonable period in order to give you the opportunity to apply later on. This will usually be no longer than two years after your last contact with us.

As to marketing communications, we will generally keep your personal information for three years after your last correspondence with us, unless there is a specific reason to keep a record.

Finally, we may keep your information for a longer period where it is required by law, or is necessary to resolve disputes, to protect our legal rights, or otherwise to comply with legal obligations. On the expiry of the applicable data retention period, we will erase or irrevocably anonymize the relevant personal information.

Manage Content Preferences

At Schmidt Science Fellows, we use cookies to enhance your experience on our website and ensure its functionality. Cookies are small data files stored on your device when you visit a website. You can adjust your browser settings to manage or block cookies, including strictly necessary cookies, at any time.

Strictly Necessary Cookies – Always Active

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.

Analytical / Performance Cookies (Non-essential)

We use these cookies to gather data on how visitors use our website, helping us to improve performance and optimize content. All information these cookies collect is then aggregated and anonymized to help us analyze trends and visitor behavior. If you do not consent to these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site.

YOUR RIGHTS

Where the UK or EU General Data Protection Regulation applies, the data subjects have the right to:

  • Access the data concerning them;
  • Correct or update their data that is inaccurate;
  • Restrict or limit the ways in which their data is processed;
  • Object to the processing of their data;
  • Request deletion of their data;
  • Obtain a copy of their data in a transferable format;
  • Withdraw their consent, where consent is being relied upon; and
  • Make a complaint to their national data protection authority.

These rights are not, however, absolute and may be subject to exemptions or limitations in accordance with applicable law.

Automated Decision-Making And Profiling: We do not engage in automated decision-making or profiling using data from individuals based in the UK or EU. If this changes we will notify you.

QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns regarding the privacy statement by contacting us at info@schmidtsciencefellows.org or, for Rhodes Trust queries, at data.protection@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk. Please note “Privacy Query” in the subject line of your e-mail.

CHANGES TO THIS STATEMENT

From time to time, we may need to use information for new, unanticipated uses not previously disclosed in this privacy statement. If our information practices change at some time in the future, we will post the changes to this statement on our site or, if these changes are material (and where we have collected contact details from you), we will directly notify you of these changes so that you have the chance to raise any concerns or exercise your rights as necessary. Otherwise, if you are concerned about how your information is used, you should check back at our site periodically.

https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/use-of-personal-data/

About Schmidt Science Fellows

Schmidt Sciences, the partner of The Rhodes Trust in respect of the Schmidt Science Fellows program, is a philanthropy dedicated to fostering the advancement of science and technology. Schmidt Sciences is a subsidiary of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation in California. Schmidt Sciences has a governing role, together with The Rhodes Trust, in the Schmidt Science Fellows program but the day-to-day operations sit with the Schmidt Science Fellows team at The Rhodes Trust.

The program is also supported by many of the world’s leading scientific thinkers and institutions and aims to expand the horizons of the next generation of leaders and innovators in the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computing. We enhance the ability of the world’s most promising new scientists to develop cutting-edge research and equip them with the skills to serve as leaders in their fields and in society.

The Schmidt Science Fellows team consists of a small group of permanent staff who manage and oversee its daily operations, including a senior leadership and management team, and all employed directly by The Rhodes Trust. The Rhodes Trust, as data controller in respect of the Schmidt Science Fellows program, will determine how personal data is shared with, and access granted to, Schmidt Sciences or its personnel.

About the Rhodes Trust

Through its world-famous Oxford Scholarship program, The Rhodes Trust finds, supports, and develops exceptional people who will be able to create real change in the world.

The Rhodes Trust holds personal records on Rhodes Scholars, current, past, and prospective, and others who interact with us. Our principles are simple – we will be transparent about what data we are collecting about you, where that data comes from, how we use the information we hold about you, and the choices you can make.

The overarching purpose of collecting and processing your data is to provide you with the best possible experience of being a Scholar, supporter, or other contact of the Rhodes Trust. It also enables us to ensure that any approaches we make to you are respectful, professional, and relevant to you based on your reasonable expectations.

The Rhodes Trust has made the following privacy statement available, which includes:

Rhodes Scholarship Applicants. Covering the personal data provided during the process of applying for a Rhodes Scholarship – for both submitted and in progress applications.

Scholars Elect and Scholars in Residence. Covering Rhodes Scholars from the point at which they are selected for the Rhodes Scholarship up until they are no longer studying in Oxford.

Alumni, Donors, and Supporters. Covering Rhodes Scholars who are no longer in residence, along with any non-Scholars who are connected to The Rhodes Trust.

The Information We Collect

Via the website or email. You may choose to contact us through any of the “Contact” inquiry forms or email addresses on our site contact page, and in the process you may provide your name, email, organization or university, and other information that you choose to share with us. This might include the sending of any email alerts or updates you have requested.

Personal information may be required if users wish to sign up for email lists, submit inquiries, apply for employment, if applicable, apply for a program that we offer. We maintain this information in accordance with this privacy statement.

As part of any application. If you are invited to apply to become a Schmidt Science Fellow, you may choose to submit an application that contains your curriculum vitae (CV), reference letters, and personal statements.

The data collected through this application process may include certain categories of personal information such as contact information, demographic information, education history, employment history, and extracurricular activities. These application materials will be provided to boards that will review applications and select semi-finalists for face-to-face interviews.

The application materials, data that you share during the interviews, and other available sources (for example, to check references or CVs and run necessary and proportionate academic and background checks) may be used to consider your candidacy to become a Schmidt Science Fellow.

You will not be specifically required to provide any special category personal data (including ethnicity, religious or philosophical beliefs, sexual orientation or health data such as disability) unless and to the extent it is necessary for us to comply with legal obligations (for example in connection with equalities legislation), you manifestly made public such personal data or you have given your prior consent. For instance, if we are arranging catering for an event, we will request your consent to process your dietary requirements.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information in order to:

  • respond to, or process, any requests or inquiries you initiate with us, through our website or otherwise;
  • consider your application.

If you become a Schmidt Science Fellow, the information you provide may also be used to:

  • facilitate your participation in the Fellowship,
  • conduct research and analytics;
  • satisfy legal, regulatory, or contractual obligations; or
  • communicate with you about Schmidt Sciences, The Rhodes Trust, or the fellowship (including, for example, providing you with newsletters, articles, service alerts or announcements, event invitations, and other information about Schmidt Sciences, The Rhodes Trust, or the Fellowship that we believe may be of interest to you).

Such uses will always be lawful and proportionate, whether in accordance with your express consent or for the performance of a contract to which you are party or for other lawful and compatible purposes where applicable. Please refer to the next section for more details in this respect.

If you are also a past, present or prospective Rhodes Scholar, or a donor or supporter, we may additionally use your information for the purposes set out in the above linked notices.

Our Legal Basis for Processing

For the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation, The Rhodes Trust process your data in connection with the Schmidt Science Fellows program for the purposes described above based on:

  • a contract to which you are party or in order to take steps prior to entering into a contract with you (including reviewing and fulfilling applications from those invited to apply to become Schmidt Science Fellows, or selecting Schmidt Science Fellows);
  • where so required by any applicable law or statutory authority;
  • our legitimate interests, in particular consisting in:
    • facilitating the administration of the Schmidt Science Fellows program;
    • managing and administering the selection process;
    • managing and administering internal disciplinary and appeals processes;
    • running background, CV, reference and biographical checks of applicants and candidates;
    • marketing, development, and alumni activity including facilitating contacts, networking, and events of clear interest to those who interact with us (where it is lawful to do so and in accordance with your preferences and rights as set out below, including the right to object to direct marketing); and
    • conducting research and analytics.
  • your consent for:
    • certain specific direct marketing and fundraising purposes, in accordance with your preferences by whatever contact details have been provided to us; and/or
    • other one-off processing activities where no more appropriate legal basis is available.

Where consent has been given, it may be withdrawn at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

Who May Receive Your Personal Data

The principal third party with whom we are likely to share personal data is Schmidt Sciences. Schmidt Sciences will from time to time have a full-time staff member within the Schmidt Science Fellows team, and two representatives alongside The Rhodes Trust on the steering group that governs the Schmidt Science Fellows program (including the selection process). However, Schmidt Sciences (based in Delaware, US) remains an independent data controller.

To the extent that Schmidt Sciences may thereby process any of your personal data, it will only be for the same purposes of The Rhodes Trust through the Schmidt Science Fellows team set out below. For this reason, we consider sharing personal data with such individuals within Schmidt Sciences to be within our legitimate interests and the reasonable expectations of our data subjects.

We may, but only as necessary for the purposes identified above, need to pass on your information to other third parties, such as to assist in the organization of events, specifically our Science Leadership Program series or making relevant connections between Rhodes Scholars, alumni, Schmidt Science Fellows and other persons of interest. Such third parties may from time to time include other academic institutions with whom we collaborate in the US and UK, not limited to departments or Colleges of the University of Oxford, and those who provide venues, catering or accommodation for such events.

Additionally, we publish the identity of those who are selected as Schmidt Science Fellows, including through our website.

Finally, on occasion we will need to use third parties to process your personal data on our behalf and upon our instructions (acting as a data processor), whether for the purposes of core systems such IT, mail, storage or HR and payroll services; for processing applications (using Embark Campus); or for other necessary outsourced activities such as background checks. This will always be subject to any contractual and security safeguards required under applicable law.

To understand more about your rights under data protection law, please see HERE.