Honouring Stephen’s legacy and his passion for football and architecture, this initiative will prioritise Black students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and those who are estranged or care experienced, looking to complete the Architecture Part 2 MArch course over two years, starting this September.
Eligibility
Priority for the scholarships will be given to Black students from low socioeconomic background (Index of Multiple Disadvantage quintiles 1 and 2, low household income) and/or Black students who are estranged or Care-experienced.
Applicants must also
- Have a UK nationality or residence status, and meet the nationality or residency status criteria to qualify for the postgraduate masters’ loan
- Hold an offer to study for September 2025/26 on the Architecture Part 2 MArch course
How to apply
Eligible applicants to the Architecture Part 2, MArch course will be invited to provide a personal statement explaining which scholarship eligibility criteria you meet, why you are applying for the course and the scholarship, and how you think this scholarship will help your future aspirations (500 word maximum).
For more information about how to apply, email Sophie Hassell-Richardson (Fundraising Manager).
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Stephen Lawrence both loved football and dreamed of becoming an architect — someone who could shape the places where people live, gather, and thrive.
“This initiative is the perfect legacy, as we work to plan, design and construct facilities that target and support groups and communities who have faced barriers in terms of participation. This includes lower socio-economic groups and culturally and ethnically diverse communities. These facilities provide not only a great place to play but also a safe space for communities to come together, where people can meet and build friendships.
Along with the funding, the recipient will have the opportunity to work with our team at the Football Foundation, attend all-team events, gain a real understanding of the grassroots football facility landscape. We’re excited to support the recipient in developing experience and skills within the field and build networks.
Baroness Lawrence OBE said: “I would like to express my appreciation for the Football Foundation’s support, it means a great deal to see this important scholarship in Stephen’s name at the University of Greenwich – an institution of special personal significance.
“As both an alumna and a former member of staff, I have witnessed first-hand the university’s ability to shape lives and open doors.
“The establishment of this scholarship in Stephen’s name marks a meaningful continuation of his legacy, providing opportunities for the next generation and reinforcing the vital role that education and sport can play in transforming communities.
Through the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship, supported by the Football Foundation, Stephen’s legacy will continue to inspire and empower future generations, ensuring that his vision for equality, opportunity, and justice lives on.
Natasha Vall, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Greenwich, said: “Established in Stephen Lawrence's name to honour his legacy, this scholarship specifically supports architecture students—the field Stephen aspired to study but was tragically denied the opportunity to pursue.
“Architecture is woven into the University of Greenwich's identity since its founding as Woolwich Polytechnic in 1890, and through its longstanding relationship with the Lawrence family, the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship creates a meaningful pathway for others to realise similar dreams.
At the University of Greenwich, we believe in Education Without Boundaries, championing equality, diversity, and inclusion while empowering students to achieve their ambitions because of, not despite, their unique backgrounds and experiences.
The fund was announced at Charlton Athletic FC’s Training Ground, which is also home to Charlton Athletic Community Trust, and has received £350k in Football Foundation funding to support under-represented communities in and around Charlton to get more active.
Charlton's Vice-Chairman Paul Elliott CBE MBE said: "This partnership between the University of Greenwich and the Football Foundation is a powerful example of what can be achieved when shared values and vision come together.
It has been a personal honour to help bring these organisations together in Stephen Lawrence’s name - uniting his passion for football with our collective commitment to creating inspiring spaces and life-changing opportunities for young people. Through the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship, we not only honour his legacy, but actively build on it, empowering a new generation.
About the Football Foundation
The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and Government’s charity that delivers outstanding grassroots facilities, more and better places to play, transforming lives and communities where it is needed most.
The Foundation’s goal is to unlock the power of pitches ensuring every community has a great place to play regardless of gender, race, disability or place.
Since its creation in 2000, the Foundation has invested £1.2 billion to improve grassroots facilities across the country – including 1,200 3G pitches, 14,000 grass pitches and 1,500 changing rooms. This has attracted an additional £1.4 billion of partnership funding – totalling over £2.6 billion investment in grassroots football so far.
In partnership with local authorities, County FAs and other community stakeholders, the Foundation has created Local Football Facility Plans for every local authority in England. These Plans act as a blueprint for providing the grassroots football facility improvements that each community needs and deserves across the country.
Visit footballfoundation.org.uk for more information on the Foundation and view the Plan for your local area.
About the University of Greenwich and Stephen Lawrence Scholarship
The University of Greenwich has been providing higher education for over 125 years.
The University of Greenwich is a public, research university with four faculties: Liberal Arts & Sciences; Business School; Education, Health and Human Sciences; and Engineering & Science. It’s part of the University Alliance group and is gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
The university operates across three campuses: Greenwich and Avery Hill in London and Medway in Kent. Its renowned research has been globally received and endorsed by nine Times Higher Education Awards and five Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher & Further Education.
Stephen’s mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE has a longstanding relationship with the University of Greenwich where she was studying at the time of Stephen’s death.
Baroness Doreen Lawrence (BA Humanities, 1995 | PGCert Therapeutic Counselling, 1999 | HonDUniv, 2006) was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University in 2006.
The Stephen Lawrence Football Foundation Scholarship provides a £19,070 fee waiver for the MArch Architecture programme- a rigorous two-year full-time or three-year part-time course leading to ARB/RIBA Part 2 qualification. The programme serves as an incubator for reflective architectural practice, where students develop skills that extend far beyond graduation.
This initiative directly addresses stark industry disparities: in 2022 ARB reported that only 1% of UK architects identify as Black (compared to 4% of the UK population), with the Architect's Journal reporting just 13.4% of architects in leading firms coming from ethnic minority backgrounds. Financial barriers remain a significant obstacle to diversifying the profession.
