Optiver Foundation Scholarships 2026 at University of Oxford | How to Apply
Optiver Foundation Scholarship opens doors for women in STEM at Oxford.
The University of Oxford has announced the opening of applications for the Optiver Foundation Scholarships 2026, a new initiative designed to support women from low- and middle-income countries pursuing postgraduate studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Funded through a generous donation from the Optiver Foundation, the scholarship aims to address gender and regional inequalities by empowering women in STEM with world-class academic training, mentorship, and full financial support.
What the Optiver Foundation Scholarship Covers
The Optiver Foundation Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award. Selected scholars will receive:
- Full course fees at the University of Oxford
- A living stipend covering accommodation and daily expenses
- Tailored induction sessions and academic support
- Professional mentoring and networking opportunities
- Membership in a supportive cohort of women scholars at Oxford
The program ensures that financial barriers do not prevent exceptional women from underrepresented regions from excelling in STEM fields.
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Who Can Apply for the Oxford Optiver Scholarship 2026?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Identify as female on official documents such as passports or visas
- Be ordinarily resident in low- or middle-income countries, including Nigeria, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Egypt, Vietnam, and Brazil (among others)
- Apply for a taught master’s degree in STEM at Oxford for October 2026 entry
- Not already be enrolled at Oxford or hold a deferred offer
Final selection is based on academic merit, potential, and socio-economic background. Applicants must also demonstrate how they will contribute to increasing women’s representation in STEM.
Eligible Courses at Oxford
The scholarships apply to a wide range of STEM master’s programmes, excluding biomedical and life sciences. Eligible fields include:
- Statistics
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Engineering Science
- Mathematical Institute
Example courses: Mathematical & Theoretical Physics, Quantum Technologies, Statistical Science, Advanced Computer Science, and Energy Systems.
How Many Scholarships Are Available?
Each year, up to six scholarships will be awarded, with a total of 30 scholarships over five years.
This commitment highlights the Optiver Foundation’s long-term investment in breaking barriers for women in STEM across the developing world.
How to Apply for the Optiver Foundation Scholarships 2026
Applications follow Oxford’s standard postgraduate process with additional scholarship steps:
- Apply for a master’s course via the Oxford Graduate Application Portal.
- Submit your application by the relevant deadline: November 2025, December 2025, or January 2026, depending on the course.
- Tick the funding option on the application form to be considered.
- Complete the supplementary Optiver Foundation Scholarship form, which details socio-economic background and circumstances.
- Await departmental admission results. If admitted, eligible candidates will be considered for the scholarship.
- Successful applicants will be notified by May 2026.