EIBF, a charity dedicated to promoting business education for engineers, has announced today that it will also focus on supporting scientists. Each year, the organisation will offer eight MBA scholarships of £50,000 to UK-based scientists.
The Sainsbury Management Fellows MBA scholarship programme, created by Lord Sainsbury of Turville in 1987, was originally established to help engineers gain business skills. The goal was to enable them to create their own high-tech businesses or rise to top positions in large UK companies.
The programme has enjoyed significant success, with more than 400 engineers graduating from prestigious business schools around the world. Known as Sainsbury Management Fellows, these graduates have created over 300 new businesses valued at nearly £5 billion, generating over 21,000 jobs across the UK.
Now, in a bid to further the UK’s economic prosperity and enhance its leadership in scientific research, the scholarship programme is expanding to include scientists. The new Sainsbury Science Management Fellows Scholarship will help UK scientists gain valuable business expertise.
This year, five scholarships will be available for full-time MBA study to scientists who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and a commitment to contributing to the UK economy. From 2025/26, the programme will offer eight scholarships each year. Scholars will attend leading UK business schools, 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
Applicants must have a science-related first degree, show clear dedication to advancing the UK economy, and be UK nationals currently residing in the country.
EIBF will partner with the National Physical Laboratory to manage the application process. To apply or for further details on the Sainsbury Science Management Fellows Scholarship, visit www.npl.co.uk/sainsbury-management-fellowships.
Selected scholars will become part of the prestigious SMF alumni network, which includes senior UK and global business leaders. Fellows engage in networking events and actively collaborate on business ventures.
Lord Sainsbury of Turville, the driving force behind the programme, 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.”
