Grime artist Stormzy, in collaboration with banking group HSBC UK and his charity #Merky Foundation, has pledged to fund a further 36 black students studying at Cambridge University over

the next three years. Each student will receive an annual scholarship worth £20,000, continuing the success of the Stormzy Scholarships launched five years ago. By 2026, a total of 81 students will have benefitted from these scholarships.

Stormzy expressed his enthusiasm for providing opportunities to black students, emphasizing that the chance to study at Cambridge is "theirs for the taking." The impact of the "Stormzy effect" has been remarkable, with applications from UK black students doubling over the years, resulting in the admission of 141 students in 2022 compared to 61 in 2018.

HSBC has committed £2 million to fund 30 new Stormzy Scholarships within the next three years, while #Merky Foundation will continue to sponsor two students annually. The aim of these scholarships is to alleviate financial burdens for students from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds, promoting diversity and inclusivity at the prestigious university.

Prof Bhaskar Vira, the pro-vice-chancellor for education, expressed his delight at the continuation of this collaboration, recognizing the transformative impact these scholarships have on providing opportunities for underrepresented students. He anticipates welcoming more Stormzy scholars to Cambridge in the coming years.

With this initiative, Stormzy and HSBC continue to champion diversity and education, making strides towards empowering more black students to pursue their academic dreams at Cambridge University. Photo by Henry W. Laurisch, Wikimedia commons.