The Skoll Scholarship is a prestigious opportunity for social entrepreneurs to pursue an Oxford MBA with full financial support and access to the Skoll community.
About the scholarship
The Skoll Scholarship provides funding for social entrepreneurs who are interested in undertaking an Oxford MBA to enhance and broaden their skills for more effective social change. The scholarship covers full course fees and provides partial living expenses.
In addition to receiving financial support, scholars become part of the vibrant Skoll Scholar community, which offers an opportunity for lifelong learning and connection with other social innovators. This scholarship recognises the financial strain an MBA may pose, especially for those committed to a career in social innovation and impact.
Meet the 2025-26 Skoll Scholars
Alycia Leonard
Schmidt AI in Science Fellow
Alycia Leonard
Schmidt AI in Science Fellow
Dr Alycia Leonard is a Senior Research Associate in Energy Systems. She specialises in the spatial design of sustainable, inclusive energy systems that balance large-scale economic opportunities with local community needs. As a Schmidt AI in Science Fellow, she develops data-driven strategies to optimally target energy access interventions for maximum uptake and equitable impact. An engineer by background, she holds a DPhil in Engineering Science from Oxford, where she was a Clarendon Scholar, and a BEng in Electrical Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Dr Astrid Krisch is a spatial planner and human geographer specialising in urban policy, sustainability transitions, and the governance of climate action. Currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation, University of Oxford, she has held research and teaching roles at institutions including the University of Cambridge, TU Wien, and WU Wien. Her interdisciplinary research explores social innovations in urban provisioning systems and their role in climate justice and systemic transformation. As a Skoll Centre Early Career Research Fellow, Astrid will co-produce actionable knowledge with policymakers and communities to bridge research, practice, and policy impact.
Dr Hayley Pring is a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford’s Department of Politics and International Relations, working on the Climate Vulnerability Project. She received her DPhil and MPhil at Nuffield College, and her BPhil/BA from the Australian National University with scholarships from Nuffield, the Governor-Philip Foundation, and the James Fairfax Scholarship. Hayley's research focuses on the role of reputation in influencing firm behaviour in world politics, the political economy of climate change, and when climate vulnerable groups mobilise.
Ignacio Pérez Karich is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the Future of Mobility at the Oxford-Hyundai Motor Group Foresight Centre. His research explores the intersection of mobility, urban governance, and big data, focusing on socio-technical systems and the future of transport in diverse contexts. He holds a DPhil in Geography from the University of Oxford, and degrees from UCL and PUC Chile. Ignacio has worked with the UNDP, IDB, and leading think tanks, contributing to debates on smart cities, sustainable mobility, and data governance through interdisciplinary research, scenario planning, and ethnographic and computational methods.
Luisa Fernanda Romero Munoz is the co-founder of Get Up And Go Colombia (GGC), an NGO that promotes peacebuilding through sustainable tourism in Cauca, Colombia, and Beglo, an educational initiative supporting young students and professionals. GGC has impacted more than 25,000 people, creating socio-economic opportunities in conflict-affected communities. Luisa has worked with global organisations like CIVICUS and has served on the Youth Advisory Board of the UN Human Rights. For her leadership, she has received international recognitions, including the U.S. Department of State’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative, the AFS Prize for Young Global Citizens, and the Chevening Award. Luisa holds a degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Cauca and a Master’s in International Tourism Management from Ulster University. She is dedicated to empowering communities through social entrepreneurship and advocating for peacebuilding and human rights.
Saransh Vaswani is the co-founder of Saajha, a nonprofit that works with parents and families to strengthen children’s learning and development. A computer science graduate and a theatre enthusiast, Saransh's journey in social impact began when he started working with government schools in Rajasthan and Mumbai, India. His first entrepreneurial venture, an initiative to increase the incomes of village artisans, failed early. Reflecting on his experience and inspired by the role parents play in children’s lives, he co-founded Saajha in 2013. Since its inception, Saajha has worked with large-scale education systems across several Indian states. While it may appear to be an individual journey, none of this would have been possible without a group of supportive people, committed co-founders and a dynamic team. Recognised for his impact, Saransh has been awarded the Echoing Green Fellowship and the Ashoka Fellowship.
Dr Tori Ford is a qualitative health researcher working as a postdoctoral research fellow within the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. She recently completed an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship examining gender health inequity and recurrent vulval pain. Tori is also the Founder and Executive Director of Medical Herstory, an award-winning social impact organisation on a mission to eliminate sexism, shame, and stigma from health experiences. She holds a BA from McGill University in Gender Studies and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge in Health, Medicine, and Society. Her work on advancing gender health equity has been recognised by the Rising Star Champion Award, the University of Oxford Paving the Way Award, and being named a Top 25 Woman of Influence.
Yousif Yahya is a Sudanese entrepreneur and systems change leader committed to unlocking opportunity in frontier markets. He is the Founder of Savannah Innovation Labs and a Venture Partner at Africa Renaissance Ventures, working at the intersection of entrepreneurship, investment, and inclusive economic development in East Africa. A Skoll Fellow and a Harambean, Yousif brings over a decade of experience spanning venture capital, agriculture, and grassroots organising. He has led initiatives across Africa focused on youth employment, startup ecosystems, and market access in complex environments. His work centres on mobilising talent, capital, and policy to drive long-term systems change."
The Skoll Scholarship is awarded to social entrepreneurs who demonstrate a strong commitment to creating and leading social ventures that tackle deep-seated social and environmental issues. The ideal candidate takes a systemic approach to social change, leading with humility, openness, and a collaborative approach.
They are ready to utilise the Oxford MBA and the Skoll Centre community to enhance and expand social impact. Our selection criteria emphasise entrepreneurial experience, changemaking skills, and high-impact career aspirations.
Selection Criteria
Entrepreneurial experience
Minimum three years of experience building and leading a social venture, with demonstrated evidence of significant social impact.
Changemaking qualities
Demonstrates curiosity, humility, and persistence in seeking to understand the systemic roots of social or environmental challenges.
Has lived experience with the issue they seek to address or has meaningfully engaged with the issue through long-term work, research, or collaboration with those directly affected.
Displays self-awareness regarding their position, privilege, and limitations and a willingness to listen, learn, and adapt.
Leveraging the Oxford MBA to contribute to systemic change
Demonstrates a clear intention to pursue a career aligned with long-term, systemic social or environmental impact.
Articulates how being part of the University of Oxford, the Saïd Business School MBA programme, and the Skoll Centre community would advance their professional growth and their ability to create systemic social or environmental impact.
Demonstrates the need for the scholarship to achieve these career ambitions, based on financial situation, past work experiences, or personal circumstances.
Upload your responses to the Skoll Scholarship essay questions as part of your MBA application.
The MBA Admissions Team will assess your application for MBA acceptance. If accepted, your application automatically proceeds to the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee.
Scholarship applications are reviewed after the relevant MBA admissions stage. Receive updates on your scholarship application status shortly after MBA admission decisions.
If shortlisted, expect an email from the Skoll Centre outlining the next steps, including a Logistics and Reference Form to complete. Final shortlisted scholarship applicants will be notified about first-stage online interviews with the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee. Successful candidates will proceed to a final online interview.
Important reminders
Only candidates accepted by Saïd Business School for the MBA and who submit scholarship essays by the deadlines will be considered.
Successful MBA applicants must pay a deposit to secure their place; deposit deadlines will be extended for those advancing in the Skoll Scholarship selection process.
If your application reaches the final shortlisting stage, you will receive the Logistics and Reference Form directly from the Skoll Centre via email.
In order to receive the Logistics and Reference Form and proceed to the next phase of the application process, applicants must have been granted an unconditional offer for the MBA programme. Candidates with conditional offers at this stage will not be considered for the scholarship
Diversity and inclusion
The scholarship aims to create a collaborative environment that values diverse perspectives, fostering a global mindset necessary for addressing complex societal challenges. As such, the Skoll Scholarship emphasises the importance of diversity and inclusion within its community.
All candidates, especially women, individuals from historically underrepresented groups, and those from the Global South, are encouraged to apply.
