University of Edinburgh Global Talent Fund BIG Scholarships 2026 in UK

Applications for the 2026 Global Talent Fund BIG Scholarships closed on 31 March 2026, and successful candidates were already notified by 24 April 2026 — so this cycle has fully run its course. Before you move on, it’s worth knowing exactly how selective this actually is: the University of Edinburgh offers only two awards per entry year through this scheme, making it one of the narrowest scholarship windows covered on this site, not a broad funding pool with dozens of places.

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BIG stands for “Backing Invisible Geniuses,” and the entire premise is built around a specific, verifiable credential — a medal from one of a short list of major international science Olympiads — rather than a general academic-merit application anyone can submit. The award is also unusually narrow in scope: it funds only specific Mathematics programmes within Edinburgh’s School of Mathematics, nothing broader. This guide covers exactly who the two available places go to, what the funding actually includes, and what to prepare now if you’re aiming for the 2027 cycle.

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About the University of Edinburgh Global Talent Fund BIG Scholarships

Understanding the organisations funding this scheme explains why the eligibility bar is so specific. The programme is run by the Global Talent Fund, a specific 501-style research and funding organisation focused on identifying young mathematical and scientific talent worldwide, with founding support from XTX Markets, a quantitative trading firm with a direct commercial interest in exceptional analytical talent, and delivered in partnership with the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

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That combination matters: XTX Markets has been explicit that Olympiad medallists show unusually strong scientific output over their careers, and the entire scholarship exists to remove financial barriers standing between that talent and a top mathematics education, not to reward broad academic achievement generally.

Worth knowing too — the Global Talent Fund runs equivalent BIG scholarships at other institutions including Cambridge and Imperial College London, so if Edinburgh’s two places don’t work out, or if your Olympiad credential doesn’t fit Edinburgh’s specific Mathematics programme list, it’s worth checking whether the Fund’s other university partnerships might be a better match for your situation.

University of Edinburgh Global Talent Fund BIG Scholarships Summary

The Full Support Package

Because only two places exist each year, the funding attached to each one is genuinely comprehensive rather than a partial contribution.

• Tuition support: full or partial coverage depending on your circumstances and the panel’s assessment of financial need
• Living cost support: direct assistance with day-to-day expenses throughout your studies, not limited to tuition alone
• Academic stipend: additional funding specifically for academic activities outside standard coursework — conferences, materials, or enrichment opportunities tied to your mathematical development
• Networking access: invitations to social and professional networking events connected to the Global Talent Fund’s broader community
• Internship and research placements: genuine placement opportunities during your studies, positioning scholars for research or industry pathways beyond graduation
• Mentoring community: ongoing access to a support network built specifically around Olympiad-level talent, not a generic university mentoring scheme

Funding can run for up to four years, and for MMath applicants entering directly into second year, that duration is structured to cover the entire remaining programme, not just a partial stretch of it.

Who Can Apply

• You can be from any country — there’s no nationality restriction on this scholarship specifically
• You must hold a gold, silver, or bronze medal from one of a defined list of Olympiads: the International Mathematical Olympiad, the International Olympiad in Informatics, the International Physics Olympiad, the Romanian Master of Mathematics, or a gold or silver medal specifically (not bronze) from the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad
• You must be applying for full-time admission to one of a specific set of programmes in Edinburgh’s School of Mathematics — BSc Applied Mathematics, BSc Mathematics, BSc Mathematics and Statistics, or direct second-year entry to MMath Applied Mathematics or MMath Mathematics
• You must not already be a student at the University of Edinburgh, and this scholarship doesn’t extend to mathematics study delivered through any other school within the university
• You need to apply through UCAS first, though you don’t need an admission offer in hand before starting your scholarship application

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How Selection Actually Works

Because there are only two places, competition among an already highly selective applicant pool — Olympiad medallists specifically — is intense, and academic record alone doesn’t decide it. The panel weighs your collaborative ability and leadership alongside your academic profile, and specifically looks at how you articulate your intention to make a positive societal impact, not just your mathematical achievement. Financial need plays a real role in the final decision too, and the scholarship team may follow up directly with candidates to request further detail on their financial circumstances — treat any such request as a genuine part of the process rather than an unusual ask.

Required Documents

Applying for the University of Edinburgh Global Talent Fund BIG Scholarships (offering fully funded support to high-achieving international undergraduates, with a special emphasis on recognized Science/Maths Olympiad medalists) requires coordinating two linked submission processes: your main UCAS undergraduate application and your secondary scholarship portal application via MyEd.

1. UCAS Admissions Baseline & Portal Setup

• UCAS Application Credentials:
  • UCAS ID & Personal Statement: Your 10-digit UCAS Personal ID, chosen course code, and primary UCAS application details.
  • Academic Transcripts: Complete secondary school/high school transcripts detailing your final grades or predicted scores (e.g., A-Levels, International Baccalaureate, or national high school exit credentials).
• University Username & MyEd Access Credentials:
  • EASE Account Credentials: Upon processing your UCAS submission, the University of Edinburgh issues a University Username (e.g., s1234567) and password setup link to access MyEd (the central student portal).
  • Portal Navigation: You must log into MyEd and access the EUCLID Student System under the “My Applications” tab to access the dedicated scholarship application form.

2. Official Olympiad Merit Credentials

• Proof of Olympiad Medal:
  • Required Document: High-resolution color scan of your official award certificate or formal confirmation letter issued by the recognized international or national Olympiad governing body (e.g., International Mathematical Olympiad, International Physics Olympiad, International Chemistry Olympiad, International Olympiad in Informatics).
  • Verification Standard: The document must explicitly state your full legal name, the specific competition edition/year, the subject discipline, and the medal tier awarded (Gold, Silver, or Bronze).

3. Personal Information & Financial Need Documentation

• Personal Information & Contact Dossier:
  • Full legal name matching your international passport, residential address, active personal email, and emergency contact details submitted during registration.
• Supporting Evidence for Financial Need (Where Requested):
  • If applying under financial hardship or needs-based scholarship streams within the Global Talent Fund, you must provide verifiable financial documentation.
  • Accepted Proofs: Official tax returns from your parent/guardian, certified household income statements, employer salary slips, or an official bank statement showing family income context.

How to Apply

Here is how to apply for the University of Edinburgh Global Talent Fund BIG Scholarships:

1. First, submit your application to the University of Edinburgh through UCAS.
2. Wait up to five working days for the system to process your details so that you can access the scholarship portal.
3. Visit the MyEd portal and log in with your University User Name and password.
4. Open the EUCLID system inside MyEd.
5. Find the scholarship section and start your BIG Scholarship application.
6. Fill out the form carefully and upload all required documents.
7. Submit your application before the deadline.
8. If you face technical issues, contact the student systems support page for help.

Getting Ready for the Next Cycle

Since only two scholarships exist per year, the practical reality is that most eligible medallists won’t receive one, regardless of how strong their application is — which makes early, well-organised preparation genuinely worthwhile rather than a formality. Submit your UCAS application early enough that the roughly five working days it takes to gain scholarship portal access doesn’t push you close to the deadline.

Have your Olympiad medal documentation and academic transcripts ready in advance, and think carefully in advance about how you’d articulate both your leadership experience and your intended societal impact, since these carry real weight in a field this narrow. If Edinburgh’s specific programme list doesn’t match your intended path, look into the Global Talent Fund’s equivalent BIG scholarships at Cambridge and Imperial as alternative routes to the same underlying support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BIG Scholarship still open for 2026 entry?

No. The 2026 cycle closed on 31 March 2026, and results were issued by 24 April 2026. The next cycle is expected to open in late 2026 for 2027 entry.

How many scholarships are actually awarded each year?

Only two. This is one of the most limited scholarship windows of its kind, so competition among eligible Olympiad medallists is genuinely intense.

Can I apply if I’ve already started studying at Edinburgh?

No. This scholarship is not available to students already enrolled at the University of Edinburgh, nor to mathematics students studying through a school other than the School of Mathematics.

Do I need an admission offer before applying for the scholarship?

No. You need to have applied through UCAS, but you don’t need to hold an offer before starting your scholarship application.

What if my Olympiad medal doesn’t match Edinburgh’s specific list, or I want to study elsewhere?

The Global Talent Fund runs equivalent BIG scholarships at other universities, including Cambridge and Imperial College London, which may be a better fit depending on your intended programme and Olympiad credential.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official University of Edinburgh Global Talent Fund BIG Scholarship page before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the University of Edinburgh, the Global Talent Fund, or XTX Markets.

Official Application Portal