Sainsbury Management Fellows - SMF Award

Sainsbury Management Fellowship (SMF Award)

You will receive a one-off grant of grant of about 57,500 EUR (50,000 GBP) towards a full-time MBA at one of the 19 leading business schools in the UK, Europe and North America (such as Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD, Harvard and Stanford). An MBA is a postgraduate business qualification. In addition to the funding, you will become part of the SMF alumni network, which comprises more than 400 engineers, receive personalised support (one-to-one mentoring) from former scholarship holders, and gain access to events organised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The programme is funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Part-time, distance-learning and executive MBAs are not covered.

Who can apply

• Nationality and residence: You are a British citizen and live in the UK.
• Your degree: You hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology or natural sciences, ideally with a ‘First Class’ or ‘Upper Second Class’ honours degree.
• GMAT test: You achieved a score of at least 650 on the GMAT entrance exam for business schools before applying.
• Work experience: You will usually have between four and ten years’ professional experience since graduating.
• Your goal: You would like to study for a full-time MBA at one of the 19 accredited business schools, or you have already started such a programme. You can apply even before your place on the course has been confirmed.
• Leadership: You can clearly demonstrate leadership qualities and a strong commitment to the British engineering sector and British industry.
• Chartered Engineer status: Not essential, but it is an advantage if you have this or are working towards it.
• Diversity: Women and other groups under-represented in engineering professions are particularly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Registration and applications are made online via the Royal Academy of Engineering’s grant management system. The deadline for applications is 30 September. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to a 45-minute interview in London with a panel comprising members of the Academy and SMF alumni. Only those who attend the interview are eligible to receive the prize.

How realistic are your chances?

The selection criteria for this scholarship are very strict. You must be a British citizen, hold a degree in engineering or the natural sciences, have a GMAT score of 650 or higher, and have several years’ professional experience – the pool of eligible applicants is therefore small. Competition within this group is fierce, as the scholarship is very well known and the focus is on genuine leadership potential rather than just good grades. If you meet the criteria and can demonstrate a clear track record of leadership qualities and your commitment to British engineering, your chances are good.