The
New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) announced a new bursary last week, in partnership with
Octopus Energy, to open pathways for aspiring women engineers. The Octopus Energy Bursary provides a total cash award of £5,000 to four women joining as a new NMITE student in September 2025 on an undergraduate degree programme in Engineering or Construction Management.
James Newby, CEO and president of NMITE, said: “Octopus is a disrupter and we are also a disrupter. We have very similar values in terms of sustainability, diversity, inclusion and changing the status quo to make a difference. There was a natural partnership; we know that going to university is a financial commitment which is why we and our industry partners are dedicated to easing the financial burden through bursaries and scholarships to ensure access for all, regardless of background.”
The Octopus Energy Bursary aims to provide more opportunities for women in engineering education, helping to address the current underrepresentation in the field. The bursary is open to all UK-based and international women.
Smasam Farah, manager of the
Octopus Energy Equality Foundation, said: “At Octopus Energy and the Octopus Energy Equality Foundation we believe the next generation of innovators will play a huge role in building a greener, fairer future. That is why we have partnered with NMITE to launch the Octopus Energy Bursary – helping to remove financial barriers for young women with big ideas and bold ambitions.
“By supporting brilliant young women to study engineering, we are investing in the skills, creativity and passion needed to tackle the climate crisis and transform the world of energy and engineering. It's a unique and incredible opportunity to get practical hands-on experience, and we want to support those who will be crafting the building blocks of our green future.”
The Octopus Energy Bursary is designed to recognise and support talented, motivated students who demonstrate strong academic progress and a clear commitment to completing the full three-year programme.
To be considered for the Octopus Energy Bursary, applicants must be women joining as a new NMITE student in September 2025 on an undergraduate degree programme and must have accepted a formal offer to study. Applicants must email their expression of eligibility to by Monday 8 September 2025.
To find out more, visit the website
here.