Cranfield University is committed to enabling a more sustainable future for all, and as part of this we have partnered with Green Future Investments Limited to offer the Brian Meredith Net Zero Scholarships to students starting in October 2024. These £20,000 prestigious scholarships will be awarded to students based on their academic excellence, financial needs and their future potential to make a difference.

If you are an outstanding student with an equally outstanding passion for helping the world achieve net zero, Cranfield University and Green Future Investments are committed in offering you this unique opportunity as we strive to educate talented individuals for a longstanding career in sustainability.

Find out more about Brian Meredith

Protecting our environment for his grandchildren, and their grandchildren, was something Brian Meredith felt passionately about. An entrepreneur with an ambition to end the damage being done to our planet, restore ecosystems, and adapt existing methodologies to secure a more sustainable future.
 
In 1987 Brian, an ex-IBM Engineer, founded Blue Chip Customer Engineering Ltd (Blue Chip); an IT Hardware Maintenance company specialising in IBM systems, with a vision to deliver unprecedented exceptional customer service levels and experiences.
 
Always forward thinking, and with a keen interest for innovative technology, Brian expanded the business to diversify and deliver IT Managed Services, developing two data centres in the Bedford area with patented eco-cooling systems which led them to become the most power efficient data centres in Europe.
 
Our impact on the environment continued to be a focus for Brian at Blue Chip and resulted in further positive environmental outcomes including a partnership with the Forest of Marston Vale tree planting, and an early adopted generous electric company vehicle scheme.
 
Away from business, Brian had a fascination with the natural world, all living creatures, and the health of the environments in which they thrive. With first-hand experience of traditional farming methods as a boy, from observing his father and inheriting a belief and love for home grown food, he recognised our planet as a natural and precious resource and held a deep passion for protecting it and all life upon it. 
 
Brian developed a hunger for understanding the trajectory of our impact on the planet and held a strong belief that science and technological innovation would drive the solutions for change and if supported successfully with financial and political engagement, could prevent the most catastrophic climate disasters and build a sustainable future for the generations to come.  
 
During 2020 whilst selling Blue Chip and planning a future channelling his drive and determination to “save the planet”, Brian unexpectedly became ill and very sadly passed away. His legacy continues through the work of The Nature Recovery Project and Green Future Investments Ltd.

 

At a glance

  • Funding value£20,000 in total each.
  • Suitable for Applicants fromUK
  • Deadline01 Jul 2024
  • Funding provider(s)Green Future Investments Ltd

What it covers

£20,000 in total for each scholarship.

For UK students this covers the full tuition fee plus a stipend towards living expenses.

Who can apply

Full-time students studying on one of the eligible MSc courses listed below or Design Engineering MSc by Research and the Water MSc by Research.

Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject and provide a 200 word supporting statement on how they plan to make a positive difference to issues surrounding global climate change following their studies.

Scholarship students will be required to assist with activities to promote the awards and Cranfield’s work around sustainability and clean tech solutions, through blogs, social media and by providing testimonials.

With the exception of the Early application discount, if awarded this scholarship, the scholar will not be eligible for any other Cranfield scholarship which may have already been offered. 

Further information

Read former Brian Meredith scholar, Isabelle Biggs' blog 'From Design Thinking to Dyson' and discover where her scholarship and her degree has taken her.

How to apply

You must have an offer of admissions on one of the above listed MSc courses (or MSc by Research - Design Engineering) before applying for the scholarship.

To apply for one of our MSc courses, please complete the online application form.

Once you have your six-digit Cranfield application number use the link below to submit your scholarship application.

Apply now

 It is recommended that you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

  • Application deadline: 1 July 2024
  • Applicants notified of the final decision: by 31 July 2024