Optiver Foundation Scholarships 2026 at Oxford | Fully Funded STEM Master’s for Women from Low & Middle-Income Countries

Optiver Foundation Scholarships 2026 at Oxford: Overview

The Optiver Foundation Scholarship Programme at the University of Oxford supports outstanding women from low and middle-income countries to pursue taught master’s degrees in STEM disciplines (excluding biomedical and life sciences).

Launched with generous funding from the Optiver Foundation, the programme will support up to 30 students over five years, providing full tuition, living costs, mentoring, and tailored academic support.

Next Cohort Start Date: October 2026

Host Institution: University of Oxford, UK

Optiver Foundation Scholarships 2026 at Oxford: Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Identify as female (sex recorded on application form must match passport/visa).

• Be ordinarily resident in an eligible low or middle-income country.

• Apply for an eligible Oxford Master’s programme in:

  • Statistics

  • Computer Science

  • Physics

  • Chemistry

  • Engineering Science

  • Mathematical Institute

• Be a new applicant (students already at Oxford or holding deferred offers are not eligible).

Benefits

Full financial support, including:

• 100% of course fees

• A grant for living costs (to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses)

Additional Opportunities:

• Tailored induction activities

• Mentoring and on-course support

• Pilot socio-economic assessment model ensuring support reaches the most disadvantaged

Fellowship / Program Components

• Academic integration through STEM departments at Oxford

• Mentorship from experienced academics

• Networking and capacity building with peers and faculty

• Contribution to greater diversity in STEM at Oxford and globally

Application Requirements

• Submit an application for graduate study by the course deadline (November, December, or January, depending on the program).

• Tick the relevant scholarship box in the Oxford postgraduate application form.

• Complete an additional scholarship form (if eligible), which will assess socio-economic background and disadvantage.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be assessed based on:

• Academic merit

• Future potential in their field

• Evidence of disadvantage and under-representation (socio-economic assessment)

Application Process

1. Apply for an eligible Oxford master’s programme by the relevant course deadline.

2. Indicate interest in the scholarship by ticking the box in your application.

3. Complete the additional scholarship application (if invited).

4. Applications are reviewed by a panel of Oxford academic staff.

5. Successful applicants will receive offers by May 2026.

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the Optiver Foundation Scholarships 2026 at Oxford | Fully Funded STEM Master’s for Women from Low & Middle-Income Countries