Formula 1 Invests £2.4 Million in Engineering Scholarships
F1 launches renewed Engineering Scholarship Program, supporting students from diverse backgrounds through tuition and industry placements.
Significant Investment in Future Engineers
Formula 1 has made a bold commitment of over £2.4 million to extend its Engineering Scholarship Program for an additional three years. This initiative aims to support students from underrepresented backgrounds by reducing the financial burden of university education and providing access to invaluable industry experience.
New Opportunities for Aspiring Scholars
Beginning in the academic year of 2026/27 and extending through to 2028/29, the program will welcome ten new scholars each year. Recipients of the scholarship will benefit from full tuition coverage and living expenses throughout their degree programs. Importantly, they will also have the chance to undertake placements with renowned F1 teams, giving them hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment.
Supporting Diverse Educational Institutions
The scholarship program collaborates with prestigious universities including the University of Strathclyde, Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and Motor Valley University of Emilia-Romagna (MUNER) in Italy. Since its inception in 2021, this initiative has uplifted 48 students, with ten scholars currently enrolled at Strathclyde University.
Strathclyde University recently showcased their commitment to this program on LinkedIn, announcing that they would offer two places per year specifically for Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds. This enables talented students to access significant industry experience during their studies, including internships at F1 teams during their second year.
Career Development and Industry Exposure
The scholarship program includes unique experiences such as visits to Formula 1’s Media and Technology Centre and behind-the-scenes access during Grand Prix weekends. Professor Campbell Booth, the Executive Dean of Strathclyde’s Faculty of Engineering, emphasized that these scholarships open doors for talented students, allowing them to gain invaluable insights into the industry while pursuing their degrees.
Formula 1's Social Impact Report Findings
This scholarship renewal coincides with the publication of Formula 1's inaugural sport-wide Social Impact Report. According to the report, more than 500,000 young individuals across 71 countries engaged with F1's education and career-related initiatives in 2025. It also highlights over 1,000 skills and development opportunities linked to motorsport and related fields.
Commendable Outreach and Learning Initiatives
The British Council’s Learning Sectors program has reached over 150,000 students in the UK, South Africa, India, and Brazil by integrating motorsport with STEM education. Furthermore, over 700 schools participated in Learning Sectors, while more than 29,000 schools engage annually in the global STEM Racing initiative.
Looking ahead, Formula 1 intends to broaden its outreach through programs like Learning Sectors, focusing on improving the evaluation and reporting of its social impact efforts.
Voices from the Scholarship Recipients
For Hiba Elkhatim, a fourth-year Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering student at Strathclyde, the scholarship has profoundly changed her academic and professional journey. Since receiving support in 2023, she completed a two-week internship with the Haas F1 team, gaining insider knowledge of the engineering processes behind Formula 1.
“This support allows me to concentrate fully on my studies and career, alleviating financial stress,” Elkhatim shared. “It also enables me to upgrade my study materials, resulting in significant improvements in my academic performance.”
Reflecting on her experience, she stated, “The scholarship has exceeded my expectations and inspired me to one day support other students in similar situations.”
Innovating Education and Technology
As the F1 community gears up for the ETIH Innovation Awards 2027, which recognize impactful contributions in education technology, the focus on innovation remains strong. The awards encompass various categories, including AI in education and skills development, with a global entry window opening soon.
The early-bird submission deadline is set for December 18, 2026, while the final entry deadline will close on February 26, 2027, at 23:59 UK time.
