Cambridge welcomes expansion of Martingale Foundation’s pioneering scholarship programme
The University of Cambridge is proud to be part of the expanded Martingale Foundation postgraduate scholarship programme, which has pledged to support 800 exceptional STEM scholars by 2030.
Since its launch in 2022, the Martingale Foundation has awarded over 100 fully funded Master’s and PhD scholarships across ten leading UK universities, with more than a third of scholars securing places at Cambridge and Oxford. The programme ensures that family income is never a barrier to world-class postgraduate research.
Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open, with the programme expanding to include scholarships in biomedical and nuclear research for the first time. This development aligns with the UK’s Industrial Strategy and responds to the growing national demand for advanced STEM qualifications.
The expansion is made possible by over £25 million in donor support to date, with contributions from partners including XTX Markets, Google DeepMind, UK Atomic Energy Authority, MS Society, and Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Cassandra Hugill, Chief Executive Officer of the Martingale Foundation, said:
“Unfortunately, the rising cost of postgraduate study is increasingly shutting out brilliant minds. We strive to change that, and our mission is simple: empower and nurture talented individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds to thrive in world-leading postgraduate research.
If the UK wants to remain a global leader for research and innovation, we need to be supporting top talent, no matter their background. Martingale is proud to have made a significant impact in this area since our launch, and this renewed and enhanced support from our donors – together with our university partners – will enable us to support more bright minds to tackle research challenges, unlock potential and fuel innovation.”
Martingale scholarships cover tuition fees, research costs, and a tax-free living stipend. Scholars also benefit from a bespoke professional development programme designed to help them excel academically and professionally.
Cambridge is part of a network of Martingale Foundation partner institutions that includes the University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, The University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, King’s College London, The University of Manchester, University College London, Queen Mary University of London, and the University of Oxford.
For more information, visit the Martingale Foundation website.
Contact
To find our more about this partnership, or to discuss how you can support students at Cambridge, contact:
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