Heriot-Watt University has announced the launch of the Hoogenboom Scholarship Programme, a new international initiative designed to support women from Sub-Saharan Africa in pursuing postgraduate studies over the next five years. The programme offers fully funded scholarships to women whose education has the potential to create lasting impact within their communities and professional sectors. It is made possible through the generosity of The Orchard Foundation, co-founded and chaired by Dutch philanthropist Dr Annemiek Hoogenboom, known for co-founding Novamedia and launching the People’s Postcode Lottery in the UK.
The Hoogenboom Scholarship Programme aims to empower women to tackle pressing environmental challenges, strengthen capacity in sustainability-related sectors, and achieve global impact through education. Professor Richard A. Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, emphasized the transformative nature of the initiative, highlighting the critical role of education in fostering skilled leaders and innovators, especially in regions facing persistent unemployment.
Over the five-year programme, beginning with the first intake in September 2026, Heriot-Watt University will offer 30 scholarships across five cohorts. The Orchard Foundation has committed €1.5 million to fund the scholarships, which will cover tuition, living costs, accommodation, visas, and health insurance, as well as mentorship, industry placements, and leadership development. Scholars will be able to pursue Master’s degrees including MSc Global Environmental Change and Policy, MSc International Marine Science, and MSc Sustainable Energy.
The programme prioritizes applicants from Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, and Malawi, aligning with Scotland’s international development focus on Zambia and Malawi. Eligible applicants must have completed their undergraduate studies at a member institution of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Dr Annemiek Hoogenboom highlighted the initiative’s potential to strengthen ties between Europe and Africa while supporting the Empower through Education campaign to advance educational opportunities for talented African women.
The scholarships will be delivered at the Lyell Centre on Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh campus, a leading hub for Earth and marine sciences in Europe. The Centre supports national and global priorities in sustainability, climate resilience, and environmental protection, offering students access to specialist facilities, applied learning, and collaborations with world-class academics, industry, and international partners. By equipping recipients with advanced knowledge and skills, the programme seeks to drive social, economic, and environmental impact across Sub-Saharan Africa.
