The 'Eliahou Dangoor Scholarships', launched with a £3 million donation over three years, will be the largest private bursary or scholarship widening participation scheme known to the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) in the UK, and will be administered across Russell Group and 1994 Group universities. Matched funding from government is expected to bring the total funding available to over £4 million.  

Thanks to the generous donation from  Dr Naim Dangoor, a successful property developer, this scholarship will assist up to 4000 students, most from under-privileged backgrounds, to study vital science and maths-based subjects at the UK's leading research-intensive universities.  

Dr Dangoor has said that this scholarship, named in honour of his father Eliahou Dangoor, is his way of thanking the country that gave him refuge after he left Iraq in the 1960s. It is hoped that this ambitious scheme will encourage more young people to consider studying STEM subjects at one of the country's leading universities.  

Both the 1994 Group and Russell Group have warmly welcomed the donation and the creation of the scholarship.  Professor Paul Wellings, Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University and Chair of the 1994 Group of universities said: "Dr Naim Dangoor's generous donation will support talented students to study at the leading universities in the United Kingdom.

"With record numbers of applications to university the signs are that the current system of variable bursaries, fees and loans, with no upfront costs and generous repayment terms, are not acting as a deterrent.

"Nevertheless, we are concerned that some students, particularly from poorer backgrounds, may be put off from applying to university because of misinformation or lack of understanding about the generous support available.

"These scholarships are a tremendous addition to the range of bursaries our universities offer to help ensure that students fulfil their potential and are encouraged to apply to leading universities."  

Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, said: "Russell Group universities are working hard to ensure that information about bursaries - including this magnificent scheme - is being constantly updated and improved.

"The new Russell Group website will also serve as a helpful gateway for students looking for information about the financial support available at all of our universities. We hope more people will be prompted to consider studying science and maths-based subjects at the UK's leading universities.

"Although there has been a welcome increase in science and maths students in recent years, we are still deeply concerned by the long term decline in students - particularly those from low-income backgrounds - taking these subjects at A-level and beyond."  

Prof Michael Arthur, Chair of the Russell Group added: "Schemes like the Eliahou Dangoor scholarship build on this upturn in popularity which, in the long run, will mean that the UK can continue to be home to more than its fair share of the world's top scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs."  

Welcoming this announcement, Sir Martin Harris, Director of OFFA said: "It is heartening to see help for students on such a generous scale from a private donor.  Our research has shown that awards of this kind have the potential to encourage students to apply for leading universities and we hope they will be widely publicised and play a part in helping to raise aspirations in schools and colleges."  

Ends  

Notes for editors

1. The Eliahou Dangoor scholarships will be administered by each 1994 Group and Russell Group university. To qualify for the £1000 scholarship students must be:

• Due to enter their first year of study at either a Russell Group or 1994 Group university
• Taking a course in a STEM subject - all of the specific courses which qualify for the scholarship will be outlined on each university's website
• Be a UK home student who will pay tuition fees.

This scholarship will have no effect on students' entitlement to loans for fees or maintenance, grants or other institutional bursaries.

2. To ensure the maximum number of students are aware of the scholarship, leaflets and posters are being distributed to state schools across the country. Both the Russell Group and 1994 Group will also be providing their own 'Eliahou Dangoor scholarships' pages on their websites, which will include information on the number of scholarships available, criteria for students, and how to apply.

Russell Group media enquiries to Daniel O'Connor, Press and External Relations Officer: 0207 8725805/ 0753 0602945. Email: media@russellgroup.ac.uk

For 1994 Group  Press Enquiries please contact Alistair Jarvis, Director of Communications, 1994 Group. Tel: 0207 872 5596 / 07779 232731. Email: mailto:alistair.jarvis@1994group.co.uk