Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship Expands to Ten New Recipients Annually

Formula 1 will fund ten new engineering scholarship recipients annually from the 2026/27 to the 2028/29 academic years. The programme covers full tuition fees and living costs for selected scholars at a consortium of five leading universities.

Starting in 2026/27, ten new scholars each year will have their costs covered at institutions including the University of Strathclyde, Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and MUNER in Italy. Selected scholars will enroll across these five partner higher education institutions.

Programme background and funding

The Engineering Scholarship programme was founded in 2021 and has just been renewed for three more academic years. More than £2.4 million will be invested over this period. Since its inception, the initiative has supported 48 students, including 10 new awards made in 2025.

Beyond financial support, scholars receive work placements within F1 teams, technical site visits to the Formula 1 Media and Technology Centre, and paddock access during Grand Prix weekends. Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1, stated the recent Social Impact Report provides a collective view of such impact programmes.

Industry commitment to diversity

The renewed investment specifically aims to remove financial barriers for students from underrepresented backgrounds. The programme's goal is to help more of these students take steps towards engineering careers. This commitment is reflected in the fact that 100% of the signatories to Formula 1's Diversity and Inclusion Charter are now delivering social impact programmes.

The report itself was compiled working to the recommendations of The Hamilton Commission, launched in 2021 by Lewis Hamilton and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, commented on the drive for inclusion. "Formula 1 has an extraordinary power to inspire," he said, "and we want everyone to believe there is a place for them in our sport."

Broader social impact

Formula 1 published its first sport-wide Social Impact Report in 2025, collating data from F1, the FIA, all 10 teams, and 24 race promoters. It recorded that over 500,000 young people across 71 countries accessed and benefited from F1's educational, STEM, and inspiration programmes in 2025 alone.

The report details a wide range of global initiatives. More than 29,000 schools compete annually in the STEM Racing global education initiative. Over 700 schools across the UK, South Africa, India, and Brazil participated in the British Council's Learning Sectors programme. The sport also provided over 1,000 skills and talent development opportunities, while 2,500 young people participated in activities at Formula 1 events.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, emphasized the sport's broader duty. Motorsport has the power to transform lives, he stated, and we have a responsibility to ensure its benefits reach beyond the racetrack. Other highlighted activities included 140 young people attending F1 Academy workshops and more than 50 wishes granted through a partnership with Make-A-Wish.

The scholarship extension guarantees ten new places for underrepresented students each year through the 2028/29 academic season.