About the MSc Motorsport Scholarship Programme
The MSc Motorsport Scholarship Programme, supported by Mission 44, helps UK-based students pursue a master’s degree in motorsport or a related field. Applicants must hold (or be completing) an undergraduate degree in engineering, a STEM subject, or a related field, and plan to study an MSc in motorsport or a related course in the UK for 2026/27. Graduates must have finished their undergraduate degree within the last five years and not already hold a Master’s or higher qualification in a related subject.
Applicants must be:
- Black or mixed Black; and/or
- A Woman; and/or
- From a less advantaged socio-economic background.
Awardee benefits
These scholarships aims to help address the under-representation of some groups in engineering and motorsport and accelerate the rate of progress of change.
Successful awardees will receive:
- Scholarship funding - Worth up to £43,000, the scholarship will cover full tuition fees and living costs for an eligible Motorsport (or related) MSc course (this means the total scholarship value will vary by scholar, depending on the course and university chosen, and may be less than this figure).
- Tailored career support – A structured programme designed to help awardees access the motorsport industry and build career readiness, in partnership with Driven By Us.
- Expert mentoring – Six months of mentoring to develop the skills and knowledge needed for roles or placements in Formula 1 and the wider motorsport and engineering sectors, in partnership with AFBE-UK.
- Exclusive networking events – Invitations to themed events at the Royal Academy of Engineering, connecting awardees with motorsport professionals and Academy Fellows.
- Community support – Collaborate, share, and communicate with fellow awardees and programme supporters through dedicated forums.
As a result of completing the programme, awardees will have:
- Increased knowledge of the motorsport sector, including skills requirements, career opportunities and pathways available.
- Improved skills in job applications and selection processes, such as interviews and assessment centres.
- Increased professional networks within Motorsports and engineering
- Improved personal confidence and resilience
- A lifelong professional network, with peers, mentors, and industry contacts.
- Access to resources and activities, designed to enhance engineering career prospects.
Eligible course list
To view the full course list for the MSc Motorsport Scholarship programme, please visit our eligibility page.
Purpose of the Scholarship Programme
The Scholarship Programme was launched in 2022 to address a specific recommendation within The Hamilton Commission's first report, Accelerating Change: Improving Representation of Black People in UK Motorsport. Sir Lewis Hamilton HonFREng formed The Hamilton Commission, alongside the Royal Academy of Engineering to address the underrepresentation of Black people in UK motorsport and the STEM sector.
For 2026 the eligibility criteria is being expanded. As well as Black and mixed-Black applicants, the scholarship will now be open to women and individuals from a less advantaged socio-economic background. The ambition is to broaden access to more groups of young people who are underrepresented within the Motorsports industry. Through the scholarship, we want to create opportunities and pathways to careers into Motorsports for as many young people as possible.
Underrepresentation of Black and mixed Black talent is well known within the sport. The Hamilton Commission estimated that less than 1% of the workforce in Formula 1 comes from Black or other minority ethnic backgrounds. The Hamilton Commission report also refers to significant socioeconomic barriers that continue to persist, primarily due to the high costs associated with early involvement in opportunities such as karting, lack of proximity to the UK’s motorsport valley which can result in internships and apprenticeships being difficult to obtain. Due to this it is important to provide a pathway for those that may have struggled to have proximity to F1, and those who are unable to engage with unpaid opportunities.
Women are also underrepresented within Formula 1, and increasing the representation of women has been accepted as a key objective (in 2022, 30.4% of personnel in Formula 1 were women according to the F1 gender and pay gap report). With the significant increase in F1’s female fanbase, we can use this scholarship as an opportunity to accelerate progress in women pursuing careers in the sport.
Cohort 1 awardees
Cohort 2 awardees
MSc Motorsport Scholarship Programme partners
Mission 44
Mission 44 was founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton to build a fairer, more inclusive future in which every young person can thrive.
The foundation supports bold organisations, leaders and ideas to reimagine the future and transform the lives of young people from underserved communities through grant making, research and advocacy.
Mission 44 is focused on building a more inclusive education system, opening doors to careers within STEM, motorsport, and empowering young people to become an influential force for change.
Mission 44 continues the work of Sir Lewis Hamilton to increase diversity and inclusion within motorsport.
AFBE
AFBE (Association for Black & Minority Ethnic Engineers) is a UK-based non-profit dedicated to increasing diversity in engineering by inspiring, supporting, and connecting Black and Minority Ethnic individuals in STEM, from students to professionals.
Founded in 2007, AFBE-UK runs programs, workshops, and mentorships, offering resources, networking, and advocating for better Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) practices to tackle underrepresentation and foster excellence in engineering.
Driven By Us
Driven By Us’ mission is to drive meaningful change by championing underrepresented talent in STEM and reshaping perceptions across the automotive and motorsport sectors.
Built by industry professionals, we empower aspiring leaders through our community space, providing mentorship, development pathways, and real-world opportunities that support personal and professional growth in environments grounded in inclusion, excellence, and equity.
Our reach spans the UK, North America, Europe, and beyond. Through partnerships with schools and the wider industry ecosystem, we shape a future where diverse voices lead, inspire, and succeed supported by industry-leading role models embedded within the Driven By Us community.
