The Social Mobility Foundation (UK)

The Social Mobility Foundation is a non-profit organisation which aims to make a practical improvement to social mobility for young people in the UK. Their work provides a support network for bright, motivated young people from low-income backgrounds who lack the know-how or network to fulfil their potential. Through the Aspiring Professionals Programme, they support young people from ages 16-17 through to their first year after graduation with activities designed around the Building My Future framework of competencies that support successful access to top professions. Students are supported across 11 career sectors, including biology, chemistry, engineering and physics.

In 2020/2021, Eurofins Foundation provided a grant to deliver the Aspiring Professionals Programme to 500 students in STEM sectors, fulfilling the Foundation’s objective of supporting students working in fields that contribute to safer and healthier lives but who lack sufficient financial resources. The programme’s objectives are to improve students’ understanding of STEM careers and their preparedness to enter top universities, and raise their aspirations, confidence, and skill levels.

As a result of the grant, The Social Mobility Foundation boosted opportunities for talented young people from low-income households who face additional barriers based on gender or ethnicity. 500 young people were offered support and matched with an individual volunteer STEM mentor. 445 participants attended the 2021 STEM Futures Day events, and 221 participated in STEM Virtual internships. 58% of attendees were female and 62% were from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. Across all age groups, 58% of internship participants were female, and 67% were BAME.

Participant feedback showed that 88% feel they can now make confident and informed choices about their future in STEM, while 94% agree they have developed greater STEM insight and commercial awareness.

In 2021/2023, Eurofins Foundation renewed its support to the APP STEM, directly enabling more than 950 new students to participate to advance their aspirations in STEM.

This project contributes to the following United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

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