Raising the bar: announcing the 2025 Scholarships, Grants and Awards winners
Each year IGEM rewards remarkable individuals with scholarships, grants and awards to help them with their studies and professional development. Let’s meet this year’s recipients...
Andrew Graham - EngTech Grant recipient
Andrew is a Commercial Gas Engineer at The Protech Group and plans to use his EngTech Grant to expand his knowledge base further and develop the company’s client base.
On applying for the grant, Andrew said: “I have always wanted to progress in the gas industry to an industrial engineer. I will be using the funds to study a Level 3 gas course from Cochran boilers, which I hope to start in October.”
Andrew wants to use the breadth of knowledge learned on the course to develop his apprentice further and help him gain a qualification in the future.
The Scholarships, Grants and Awards panel said: “Andrew has always had an interest in engineering, and we found that his heart was in the gas industry. It is clear Andrew is dedicated to his personal and professional development and would become a mentor for other Engineering Technicians. Other engineers have found themselves interested in Andrew’s involvement with IGEM, and he would really like to support them and to make a difference. He is a very worthy of the EngTech Development Grant.”
Archie Durrant - Prospective Undergraduate Scholarship recipient
Archie currently works at SGN as a First Call Operative and plans to study Engineering (with Honours) at The Open University in October. He has chosen to partake in part-time study so he can stay in his current role to gain real-world experience while still learning and gaining valuable skills to allow him to develop further.
He said: “The scholarship will help me dedicate more of my time towards my study without having the added pressure of funding my course. Being a part of IGEM also gives me access to advice and inspiration from people already working in the industry.
“While studying engineering with the Open University, I can tailor my learning to areas specific to renewable energy, building the knowledge and understanding I need to progress in my career.”
The Scholarships, Grants and Awards Panel said: “Archie has had an interest in engineering from a young age and has enjoyed dealing with technical problems. He has built a strong base knowledge of the gas industry and is keen to continue to gain experience and develop professionally. Archie has already been using his own experience to help others and is interested in getting involved with IGEM, making him a worthy recipient.”
Will Dally - Prospective Undergraduate Scholarship recipient
Will is set to begin studying engineering at St Chad’s College at the University of Durham in October. He is keen to get started and is excited to get involved with Durham’s hydrogen infrastructure research.
He plans to use the scholarship to focus on his studies during term time and to help him secure placements and internships during his time at university.
Will has already taken a gap year to gain industrial experience at Endomag, working in implantable engineering. Commenting on the experience, he said: “I am really looking forward to formalising my hands-on skills with academic study. This solid grounding in academic and practical skills will allow me to contribute as much as I can to the industry when I graduate.”
The Scholarships, Grants and Awards Panel said: “Will’s interest in engineering began with tinkering from a young age. He has been a member of IGEM for a little while and is an excellent scholarship candidate who will add value and benefit to the gas industry.”
Eleni Apostolou - Current Undergraduate Scholarship recipient
Eleni is currently studying for a master’s degree in chemical engineering at Newcastle University. She began her studies in 2024 and plans to continue through to 2028.
She chose to apply for the scholarship, believing it would provide the necessary funding to pursue her chosen path. She said: “With the scholarship, I’ll be able to concentrate more fully on my studies and attend conferences relevant to my course. It will also help pay for extra summer rents during internships and for my transport home during breaks.”
Her fascination with the real-world applications of chemistry and mathematics led her to choose Chemical Engineering as the degree most likely to provide the expertise she seeks. Eleni, who is particularly interested in pursuing a career in policy, chose Newcastle University for its excellent academic reputation and strong links to the gas and energy industries.
She said: “I would like to work in the energy or process sector after graduation. My focus would be on developing better systems for gas processing and emissions control. Ultimately, I would like to go back to Cyprus and help to build the country’s sustainable energy infrastructure while implementing what I learned from studying abroad. I envision myself straddling the worlds of engineering and policy.”
Eleni keeps track of changes in decarbonisation policy, plus the latest innovations in sustainable technology and hydrogen fuels. Her primary focus is on replacing natural gas with more sustainable fuels in places like the Eastern Mediterranean. She is also committed to making a positive impact for women and girls in STEM.
The Scholarships, Grants and Awards Panel said: “Eleni was an exciting and engaging interviewee. She was calm and composed throughout the interview giving compelling answers to our questions. We are really looking forward to seeing her make her mark on our industry and hopefully this award will give her the foot in the door to work with us all in the future.”
Connor Bradbury - Current Undergraduate Scholarship recipient
Connor is currently working as Project Delivery Engineer at Cadent, delivering asset health upgrade projects within the capital delivery department. He is going to study a top-up BEng course at The Open University in October.
Connor’s journey in engineering has been shaped by a deep-rooted passion for problem-solving and innovation. Having previously completed a foundation degree in engineering (Integrated Engineering - Mechanical FdEng) at Sheffield Hallam University, he chose to continue his academic journey through the top-up program to enhance his technical knowledge and broaden his career prospects. The course will allow Connor to complete his bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Looking towards his future, he said: “I am focused on my personal development, firstly in attaining my bachelor’s degree whilst subsequently applying for my Incorporated Engineer status with IGEM, with a longer-term goal to become a Chartered Engineer.
“The IGEM scholarship will help with funding my ongoing studies as well as empowering me to focus on achieving my professional development goals.”
The Scholarships, Grants and Awards Panel said: “Connor’s application and interview were great, and he is an excellent candidate for the scholarship. Connor has shown great initiative with his personal and professional development and is also aiming to pursue a master’s degree in the future. He is keen to get more involved with IGEM and we are keen to support him and to see how he progresses.”
The Scholarships, Grants and Awards Panel
We can only undertake these activities due to the ongoing commitment of our IGEM members. A huge thank you to the individuals who sit on the Scholarships, Grants and Awards Panel for their support and for volunteering their time to support and develop the next generation of engineers.