New scholarship to increase diversity in business education launched by the Graduate Management Admission Council

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has launched a brand new scholarship, the GMAT^TM Talent and Opportunity Scholarship for 10 European business school applicants, aimed at improving inclusion in graduate management education and reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.

The scholarship is open to applicants from all backgrounds, including from women, candidates with disabilities, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), LGBTQ+ and non-binary candidates and lower socio-economic backgrounds, given the under-representation of these groups in the business school community.

This award demonstrates GMAC’s commitment to improving inclusion and access to business school. Scholarship recipients will receive an award of $2500 each, which will cover the cost of their GMAT exam, preparation material, group/private tutoring with a test prep organization, and 3 hours consultation with a professional Admissions Consultant.

Nalisha Patel, Regional Director for Europe at GMAC says,

“While Inclusion and Diversity has a keen focus from companies and business schools who are looking to attract more under-represented groups, there is still much more we can do to have a truly representative set of classes and workforce. A workforce that values and harnesses the different perspectives that they can bring and the benefits this has on business and wider societal progress. 

With this new scholarship we want to target and attract people who didn’t even think business education could even be an option for them previously, to show them that they too offer valuable contributions in the development of our economies, and gain significant personal growth from the experience of business school and learning with and from people from all walks of life. We are really looking forward to connecting with and learning more about even more wonderful and aspiring humans.’’

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must be based in Europe and considering an application to any GMAT-accepting business school around the globe. Candidates do not need to be a European national but must have an up-to-date and legal resident visa in order to qualify.  Applicants must be applying to business school in the 2023/2024 academic year.

To apply for this academic scholarship Applicants must complete an 600-word essay outlining what they believe their background and experience will bring to a diverse learning and business environment.

Following this submission, an expert judging panel, including Nalisha Patel, Regional Director, Europe at Graduate Management Admission Council, Matt Symonds, Director of Fortuna Admissions and Seb Murray, Freelance contributor at the BBC, Financial Times and Forbes, will decide upon the 10 applicants who will receive this scholarship, based on the quality of the submission.