18 May 2026 14:00 (UTC)
“The NEXT programme gave me real insight into what a career at McLaren Racing looks like”
McLaren Racing’s fully immersive experience to identify and accelerate the next generation of STEM returns in September 2026.
We have teamed up with some of McLaren Racing’s industry-leading partners, Allwyn, Schneider Electric and Cisco, and to offer a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience to the most exceptional young women in STEM.
Launched last year, McLaren’s NEXT programme was born out of the successful 60 Scholars initiative. In line with our continued commitment to set the standard for diversity and inclusion in sport, NEXT aims to break down barriers and increase representation by creating meaningful opportunities for young women interested in entering STEM industries, including racing.
Twenty-five successful applicants will be selected to participate in NEXT, which will provide a high-impact, immersive learning experience. The focus will be on connecting participants with inspiring STEM leaders, providing engaging in-person learning, and creating stronger pathways to recruitment opportunities.
The successful candidates will be given personalised mentoring and participate in a series of hands-on workshops and engaging panel discussions. These will be held in person at the McLaren Technology Centre and our programme partners’ offices in London.
NEXT will provide industry insight and offer an understanding of the diverse opportunities available in STEM, equipping participants with practical, transferrable skills designed to help them thrive as their careers progress. The community of peers and mentors they build throughout the programme will become a lasting source of support and inspiration.
We are delighted to collaborate with our partners — leading organisations across a range of industries — to deliver McLaren Racing NEXT 2026.
Allwyn is a multi-national, lottery-led, gaming entertainment company with a presence across Europe and North America. Their purpose is to make play better for all by focusing on innovation, technology, player safety and returning more to good causes. Allwyn is an Official Partner of the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, Arrow McLaren IndyCar, and McLaren F1 Sim Racing Team. Allwyn’s session will take place at the McLaren Technology Centre, bringing in senior leaders from across their business to share how a commercial mindset, entrepreneurial thinking and building networks can give STEM talent a competitive edge in fast changing, digital transformation environments.
Schneider Electric is at the forefront of energy and technology, leading the convergence of electrification, automation, and digital intelligence. Schneider Electric is McLaren Racing's Official Energy Technology Partner and participants will visit their office in London to learn how STEM skills can be applied to the sector.
Cisco is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionising the way organisations connect and protect in the AI era. They are a Principal Partner of the McLaren Mastercard F1 Team, enabling the team to anticipate, act and simplify operations across its entire portfolio, whether it be delivering vital data on race day or finding new innovative ways to engage and connect with fans worldwide. Cisco will also welcome participants to their London office.
Each partner brings a unique perspective, offering participants valuable insights into STEM sectors and the diverse range of opportunities beyond motorsport.
The NEXT programme offers participants a unique experience and insight into how STEM skills can be applied to high performance environments, across motorsport and beyond. For many, it is also the first step on their career path.
Holly Clement graduated from the 60 Scholars initiative (the predecessor to NEXT) in 2023. She is now a Machine Learning Solutions Engineer at McLaren Racing, creating applied AI solutions that are deployed across technical and non-technical functions. Reflecting on the programme, she said:
“The NEXT programme gave me real insight into what a career at McLaren Racing looks like. Through mentoring, hands‑on sessions and meeting inspiring leaders, I gained confidence in my skills and a clear path forward, which ultimately helped me secure my role at McLaren. NEXT gave me a realistic view and the tools to act on it, not just the motivation!”
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) is a fundamental pillar of our People and Sustainability strategies. Our mission is to create opportunities that encourage and empower more women to pursue careers in motorsport and with McLaren Racing.
Our goal is to have 40% of our workforce come from underrepresented backgrounds by 2030, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In our latest Sustainability Report, we observed encouraging progress: 43% of McLaren Racing’s new starters were from underrepresented backgrounds, while 30% of our early-career population consists of women. This highlights the impact that initiatives run by McLaren Racing can have in addressing barriers that many individuals still encounter due to their socio-economic background, geography, or limited digital access.
Applications are now open for students from the UK, US, and EU, as we aim to reach a broader and more diverse talent pool. McLaren will cover all associated travel costs to ensure the programme remains accessible to all.
The course will begin at the McLaren Technology Centre on Monday, 7 September and conclude on Friday, 11 September, with three days at the McLaren Technology Centre and two days split across our programme partners’ offices
You can apply via the official McLaren Racing website, here, with applications closing on Friday, 12 June.
