Science Oxford Scholarship Programme

Science Oxford’s new flagship Scholarship Programme has been developed to empower 16 high-potential, committed A-level (or equivalent) students from local state schools in Oxford to explore, prepare for, and succeed in future STEM careers.

Over two years, students will gain exclusive access to STEM professionals, industry experiences, and career pathways across sectors including climate, digital technology, engineering, and global health. Alongside this, the programme will help students develop the confidence, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that are essential for success in higher education and the STEM world of work.

Delivered by Science Oxford and fully funded through the support of The Oxford Trust and local STEM partners, the Scholarship Programme is free to attend, ensuring that talented young people can access opportunities regardless of background.

Applications for the programme commencing in 2026 close on Wednesday 30th September 2026. To apply, follow the link in the ‘How to apply’ section below.

Overview

Who is it for?

Students entering Year 12 (2026/2027) who are:

Passionate about STEM subjects.
Considering STEM for further study or a career
Looking for more insight into local STEM industries
Motivated, committed and ready to dive in!

Is that’s you, please check further requirements in the section below.

What will students do?

Connect with scientists, engineers and innovators and hear first hand about diverse job roles and STEM career pathways
Go behind the scenes at leading STEM companies in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Experience real research and take part in enriching, hands-on workshops with STEM organisations
Participate in relevant STEM work experience-style activities
Develop life skills to support a career journey
Undertake a year-long individual project, with access to expert support

What will students gain?

Knowledge of local STEM organisations through tours and talks
Exposure to relatable STEM role models
High-quality experience to include in applications for post-18 pathways
Increased confidence, resilience, and problem-solving ability
Raised aspirations and motivation for pursuing STEM career pathways
Access to a supportive professional network
Contact with other students who are interested in science and technology.

Are you a student interested in applying?

Please read through the sections below and find out if you’re eligible, what commitment we expect from participants, how to apply and what happens after you have submitted your application.

Eligibility

What commitment is required of you?

Key dates and other info

How to apply

Please note:

Before submitting your application, please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria listed in the section above.
Applications will only be considered through the online application form. Please do not send applications by email.
Once you start completing the application form, you will not be able to save the form to return to later, so please prepare your submission before filling in the form. You can download a document outlining what you need for your application here.
Applications close on Wednesday 30th September

The application form consists of 5 sections.

Section 1: Personal details

We ask you for personal details, including your name, email and school you attend.

We will also ask you to provide the name and contact details of a suitable referee. This should normally be a teacher or form tutor who is able to comment on your suitability for the programme. If you are home educated, please provide details of an appropriate adult who knows you well in an educational, extracurricular, or community setting (for example, a club leader, coach, or mentor) and can act as a referee.

Section 2: Written questions

We ask you some questions which we will evaluate as part of your application. These are:

Which area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) excites you the most and why? (200 word count max)
How do you engage with STEM beyond the classroom (e.g. clubs, competitions, online learning, reading, coding, building, volunteering)? (200 word count max)
How do you think STEM can improve people’s lives and help to tackle global challenges (such as climate, energy, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss and health) in the future? Please give an example.
What STEM-related career interests you most at the moment, and what draws you to it?
How would being part of the Science Oxford Scholarship Programme support your future aspirations?

It is important you answer these questions in your own words and not use AI or LLMs, such as ChatGPT, as we would like to get to know you and what you hope to achieve through the scholarship programme.

Section 3: Video submission

We ask you to share a link to a short video (up to a max of 3 minutes long) you have recorded or created, in which you tell us about a specific STEM topic you are passionate about, including: why it fascinates you, what impact it has on the wider public and society and how you’d like to learn more about this area going forward.

For example:

The launch of the 2026 Artemis Moon mission
A novel biomedical discovery
How AI has changed how scientists work and approach problem solving
The use of green technology in mitigating climate change

Section 4: Additional information

This section consists of additional information, such as any accessibility requirements, medical needs, dietary requirements etc.

The Science Oxford STEM Careers Programme is committed to improving diversity and inclusion in STEM and actively encourages applications from individuals who are underserved or underrepresented in the STEM sector. We particularly welcome applications from these groups and will take this context into account as part of our review process. Therefore, we will also ask you about your gender, ethnicity and whether you are, or ever have been, in receipt of free school meals. This information will all be handled in line with our Privacy Policy.

Section 5: To be completed by your parent/guardian

We ask for details of your parent/guardian to apply and acknowledgement that you will comply with Science Oxford’s Behaviour Policy.

Apply now

What happens after you've submitted your application?

FAQs

Do I need to have consistently high grades in my studies to apply?

No, a passion for STEM is the main driving factor behind an applications!

What year group do I need to be in when applying?

You must be in Year 11 – or equivalent age – when you apply. The programme will start when you are in Year 12 and finish when you are in Year 13.

What happens if I am moving from my current school to a different sixth form?

As long as the school/educational establishment you are in for Year 12 and 13 is one of our eligible schools (Cheney School, Greyfriars Catholic School, Matthew Arnold , Oxford Spires Academy, The Cherwell School, The Oxford Academy, The Swan School, The City of Oxford College, The Leys College), you can still apply.

Can I save my application and finish it later?

You cannot save an application in process – but you can draft the answers (see questions on this document) and then copy them across to the online application portal when you have finished.

What should I include in my video for the application?

Your video should be you demonstrating your passion and interest in a STEM topic that has captured your imagination. You could present this in many ways: discussing a topic directly to camera, talking through slides that help explain, or using props & other items to show your enthusiasm for your topic.

Does my video need to be professionally edited?

No, you don’t need to do any professional editing, add filters or put in effects. What we’re looking for is a video that illustrates your enthusiasm for STEM and is under 3 minutes long!

How much time will the programme take alongside my A-levels?

The programme will take up five full Mondays in the first year and then four full days in the second year, avoiding exam season in May and June. There will also be voluntary drop-in, online sessions spread throughout the year for you to get help with your research project.

What happens if I miss a session?

You should aim to attend all day sessions for the duration of the scholarship. If you become ill or miss a session due to unforeseeable circumstances, you must contact us as soon as possible.

Is there support for accessibility or additional needs?

We aim for the programme to be widely accessible and will make reasonable arrangements, where possible, to ensure participants can take part in activities.

Will I receive a certificate or reference at the end?

Yes, there will be a certificate presented to you at an evening graduation ceremony (date TBC) and you are welcome to put the scholarship programme on any CV or UCAS application.

What is the research project?

The research project is a personal assignment where, after submitting a proposal, you can showcase a topic of STEM that really interests you over the course of several months. This could take the form of: presenting a research review of upcoming technologies in a STEM sector; video interviews of scientists that inspire you; creating your own code for a task; building your own robot or something else.

Will I get help with my research project?

You will complete the research project in your own free time but Science Oxford staff will be available to offer guidance, discuss problems and give advice on how best to proceed. There will be a limited budget to help put your project together, if it is built into your proposal.

Do I have to present my project?

Yes, your project will be presented to the incoming cohort of new students, parents and invited guests at the 2027 Welcome Event in July (date TBC).