Help and support for engineering students, degree and higher apprenticeships
Applications are now open for 2025
Whether you decide to take the degree route following A levels, HNC, HND or a similar qualification, or enter via an apprenticeship, the IET Future Talent Awards can help ease your path.
We want to help and support people from all backgrounds onto the engineering career ladder and recognise the importance of a strong first start.
We realise every individual has very different experiences and opportunities and sometimes these can be barriers to pursuing a career in engineering.
Our engineering scholarship is open to students from all backgrounds especially those underrepresented in engineering fields, to turn their talents into groundbreaking solutions. We believe everyone deserves a strong foundation, and this scholarship provides financial support and encouragement to kickstart your engineering journey.
Our scholarships have been specifically created to provide financial reassurance to students, apprentices and degree apprentices from a wide variety of backgrounds and circumstances to help them with their engineering journey.
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is financial support awarded to a student, based on academic achievement or other criteria that may include financial need.
We provide Launch scholarships which are for students, degree apprentices and apprentices, who have faced financial or personal challenges and have a passion for engineering.
We also provide Boost Scholarships for students in their final one or two years of an IET accredited degree or accredited degree apprenticeship, who have achieved 70% and above at the end of their 2nd or 3rd year of university.
What is the difference between a bursary and a scholarship?
The terms 'bursary' and 'scholarship' are interchangeable across universities.
However, there tends to be one difference: Scholarships are likely to be competitive and often supported by generous donors. Bursaries are usually non-competitive, automatic and based on financial need.
I am currently studying outside of the UK; do I qualify for any of the awards?
In order to qualify for the awards, applicants must be a resident of the UK for three years at the time of applying for a scholarship and studying for an IET accredited degree at a UK University.
Can international students apply for launch and boost scholarships?
In order to qualify for the awards, applicants must be a resident of the UK for three years at the time of applying for a scholarship and studying for an IET accredited degree at a UK University.
Do you offer any UK scholarships for international students?
No, applicants must be a resident of the UK for three years at the time of applying for a scholarship and studying for an IET accredited degree.
I would like to apply for both a Launch Scholarship and a Boost Scholarship; do I need to complete two applications?
You can only apply for one scholarship and must meet the criteria of the scholarship you are applying for to be considered.
Am I eligible to apply for a Future Talent Award scholarship if I’m working towards a Masters degree?
We offer scholarships for those studying for an MEng. Unfortunately, MSc students are not eligible.
Can you apply for a scholarship and also apply for other IET Awards at the same time?
Yes, you can apply for any of our other IET awards whilst applying for a scholarship as long as you are eligible.
Can I be in any year of study to apply for a scholarship?
If you are applying for a Launch Scholarship, you can be in any year of an undergraduate degree course that has been accredited by the IET. This scholarship is for individuals who are facing or have faced personal or financial challenges.
If you are applying for a Boost Scholarship, you can be in your final year of your BEng or the last two years of your MEng IET accredited degree or accredited degree apprenticeship.
This scholarship is for students or degree apprentices who have achieved 70% and above at the end of your 2nd or 3rd year of university.
If your apprenticeship scheme is IET accredited, but your degree is not IET accredited you may still apply. This also applies to those who are doing an IET accredited degree whose Apprenticeship is not IET accredited.
Can I apply if I am studying part-time?
Yes, we accept part-time and full-time students.
Is there an age limit to apply for a scholarship?
No, you can be any age to apply for either a Launch or Boost scholarship.
If I’m successful, how much funding will I receive?
If you receive a Lauch scholarship, you’ll receive £1,500 per year for up to four years.
If you receive a Boost Scholarship, you’ll receive £1,500 per year for up to two years.
Do you provide scholarships for any engineering course / degree / apprenticeship?
No, your course must be accredited by the IET to be considered for either scholarship.
(Please check your course is listed on the accreditation documents below prior to applying for the scholarship)
Can I apply if I’m studying for a postgraduate degree?
No, you can not apply for a Launch or Boost Scholarship however you can apply for an IET Postgraduate Award as long as you have been an IET member for a minimum of 12 months.
Can I start my online application and complete it at a later date?
Yes. Once you have started your application online you can log back in anytime up until the deadline and edit and update your application.
Just make sure you click next in order to save your progress!
How long will an application take to complete?
We would estimate that your application should take around 45 minutes, but this will depend on the individual and the length of answers, for some people it may take longer.
The more information you can provide us the better. so please don't rush to finish your application.
You may wish to start the process and re-visit it another day... remember that you can log back in anytime up until the deadline to edit and update your application.
Just make sure you click next in order to save your progress!
Can I start my online application and upload the tutor reference later?
If you are applying for a Boost Scholarship, your Tutor will need to complete this themselves as soon as you send a request via the online platform. You will not be able to complete this or upload anything yourself.
Launch scholarships do not require a tutor reference.
Who can complete my tutor reference?
The tutor reference needs to be completed by a Tutor that knows you well and who can describe your dedication to your studies and your passion for engineering in detail.
This is only applicable to the Boost Scholarship.
Can you nominate someone for an award?
No, our scholarships are application only.
Do I get free membership if I receive a scholarship?
Yes, if you become a recipient of a Lauch scholarship or a Boost scholarship, you will receive free membership for the duration of your course if this Is not already provided by your university.
When does the application process open?
The 2025 applications will open on Friday, 14 March 2025 and will close on Friday, 12 September 2025.
When will I be notified if I’m successful?
We will contact you after the deadline.
If successful, when will I receive the funding?
Payments are made in January each year so if successful you would receive your first payment in January 2026.
If I change my course, will I still be entitled to my £1,500 funding?
If you change to another IET accredited undergraduate degree course or apprenticeship you will still be eligible to receive your scholarship.
If you change to a non-accredited undergraduate degree or apprenticeship, unfortunately you will no longer be able to receive funding.
If I decide that my course / apprenticeship is not for me, do I have to pay back my funding?
You do not have to pay back any funding received but you will not receive any remaining funding due.
I may require additional support with my application, can someone help me?
The IET is committed to reducing and removing barriers to those applying for any IET Award.
For example, if you are D/deaf, hearing impaired, visually impaired, neurodiverse or managing anxiety or mental health, then please make us aware and we will provide you with the necessary support and application/process guidance.
Please let us know by contacting us via email: futuretalent@theiet.org.