ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Funding for a new set of scholarships for Black-heritage ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ has been announced.

Following a period of consultation, the College’s President's Board has approved funding for the Presidential Scholarships for Black Students.  

We want to attract the very best applicants from all backgrounds, and ensure they go as far as their talents can take them.     Professor Maggie Dallman Vice President (International)

The initial funding is the first step in the College’s £10 million commitment to scholarships and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½hips for Black and underrepresented ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ over the next five years.

More initiatives will follow in the coming months and years. 

The funding will support one Master’s scholarship and one undergraduate scholarship for Home ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ per academic Faculty each year for the next five years. The Master’s scholarships will be particularly focused on programmes that lead to PhD study. Each scholarship would also come with appropriate wrap-around support and mentoring for the scholar. The scholarships will be open to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ applying for autumn 2022 entry and onwards. 

Research opportunities 

Imperial will also increase funds for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) opportunities for Black ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, as well as a mentoring/buddying scheme for new Black scholars.

UROP is a research opportunities programme available to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ from within and outside the College, allowing them to participate in real research and appreciate the environment in which it takes place.   

"The start of a journey" 

Professor Maggie Dallman, Vice President (International) said: “The new Presidential Scholarships for Black Students are the start of a journey for the College on increasing the number of Black ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, whom it has identified as underrepresented at all levels. The College has committed to doubling the number of Black home undergraduate ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ by 2025 and to encouraging more Black ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ into postgraduate study. We want to attract the very best applicants from all backgrounds, and ensure they go as far as their talents can take them.   

“We know that ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ from some backgrounds are less likely to take up places here, and we want to fix that. Understanding what barriers exist, and how we can dismantle them, is essential.”   

The news comes after Imperial’s President Alice Gast announced a multi-million pound investment in student scholarships as the College seeks to further diversify its community.  

You can register your interest to receive more details about the scholarships on our dedicated webpage for the scholarships.