The Engineers in Business Fellowship (EIBF), a charity promoting the value of business education for engineers, has today announced it will also support UK scientists by offering eight MBA scholarships of £50,000 each year.
Established in 1987 by Lord Sainsbury of Turville, the Sainsbury Management Fellows MBA scholarship programme was originally created to provide engineers with business skills that could help them either establish their own high-tech companies or rise to leadership positions within large UK firms.
The programme has proven highly successful, with more than 400 engineers graduating from prestigious international business schools. These graduates, now known as Sainsbury Management Fellows, have gone on to create over 300 companies, contributing nearly £5 billion to the UK economy and generating more than 21,000 jobs.
In a new move to promote UK economic growth and to further support the UK’s leadership in scientific research, the scholarship programme is being extended to scientists. This new initiative will be known as the Sainsbury Science Management Fellows Scholarship.
This year, five scholarships will be awarded to UK scientists who display strong leadership skills and a clear commitment to the UK economy. From 2025/26 onwards, the number of scholarships available will rise to eight each year. These scholarships will enable scientists to pursue a full-time MBA at leading UK business schools linked with top science research universities, including:
- Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
- Cambridge Judge Business School
- Imperial College Business School
- Warwick Business School
- Alliance Manchester Business School
- Cranfield School of Management
To be eligible, applicants must hold a first degree in a science-related discipline, demonstrate a clear dedication to supporting the UK economy, and be UK nationals living in the country.
The application process for the scholarship will be administered by the National Physical Laboratory in collaboration with EIBF. For more information on how to apply for the Sainsbury Science Management Fellows Scholarship, visit www.npl.co.uk/sainsbury-management-fellowships.
Successful applicants will join the prestigious SMF alumni network, which includes senior business leaders from the UK and around the world. Fellows are encouraged to participate in networking events and collaborate on business ventures.
Lord Sainsbury of Turville, the founder of EIBF, said: “The success of the Sainsbury Engineering Management Fellows has led me to believe that we should widen the impact of the scholarship scheme by helping those who have scientific degrees to also acquire business skills. An MBA will provide scientists with credible business skills, allowing them to transform their innovations into commercial products.”
David Falzani MBE, Chair of EIBF, added: “We are grateful to Lord Sainsbury for providing the funding for the Sainsbury Science Management Fellowship Programme. We look forward to working with the National Physical Laboratory to provide this excellent opportunity to UK scientists. Along with all the Sainsbury Engineering Management Fellows, we look forward to welcoming the scientists who will add inestimable value and diversity to our networking community.”
