The UNSW Future You programme aims to get children from all backgrounds excited about STEM careers in Australia.
The Optiver Foundation
Creating a more inclusive and nature-positive future
The Optiver Foundation is an independent, global non-profit working to build a more equitable and sustainable future. Inspired by Optiver’s entrepreneurial spirit and technical expertise, we believe innovation and learning are key to solving complex global challenges.
Driven by impact. Grounded in science.
Driven by impact. Grounded in science.
Driven by impact. Grounded in science.
Accelerating the transition to a nature-positive future
Environmental action
A healthy planet underpins every aspect of human well-being and global stability. We prioritise science-based, technology-enabled solutions that address climate change, restore ecosystems and build environmental resilience.
Advancing equal opportunities through STEM
Diversity
Supporting gender equality is not only a matter of fairness; it’s a driver of innovation, growth and collective progress. We fund initiatives that expand access to quality STEM education, build future-ready skills and increase the visibility of diverse role models, with a particular focus on women and girls. By empowering underrepresented talent, we help unlock innovation and drive social and economic mobility.
How we work
We work in close partnership with the organisations we support - not just as funders, but as collaborators. By connecting people, sharing insights and building capacity, we help turn strong ideas into lasting impact.
Impact initiatives
Scholarship programme with Oxford University
In partnership with the University of Oxford the Foundation's international scholarship programme supports women from low- and middle-income countries to pursue postgraduate STEM degrees. The five-year programme provides 30 scholars with full funding - covering course fees and living costs as well as tailored academic and mentoring support - across nine MSc courses. With applications from over 50 countries to date, the latest cohort includes students from Kenya, Ethiopia, Belarus, Mexico and China. Our partnership also includes a data-driven research project to develop a more equitable socio-economic assessment model for scholarships, with early findings showing strong potential to inform access strategies at Oxford and beyond.
The FREE STEM Fund
The Optiver Foundation has joined forces with Women Win to create the FREE STEM Fund - a unique participatory grant-making fund that expands access to STEM learning for girls and women in underserved communities across the Global South. Since its launch in 2022, the fund has supported thousands of women and girls in over 40 countries through locally led initiatives - from drone-building in Malawi and robotics in Papua New Guinea to coding programmes in Madagascar. What began as a bold idea has grown into a high-impact model that empowers female changemakers.
FUTUREYou
The Optiver Foundation is proud to support Future You - a groundbreaking programme with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders through the provision of free STEM learning materials for children aged 8–12 across Australia. Reaching tens of thousands of students nationwide in its first year, the programme focuses on girls and underrepresented groups, connecting STEM to real-life career pathways, diverse role models and engaging digital tools.
The Ocean Cleanup
Our newest partnership sees the Foundation partner with The Ocean Cleanup as anchor funder for a technology-driven 'proof-of-concept' project to stop plastic waste from reaching the ocean in Mumbai, India. Building on extensive research to identify high-impact waterways, the project will deploy an Interceptor system to capture plastic before it reaches the ocean, demonstrating the potential of large-scale river interception and strengthening efforts to solve the problem of plastic pollution.
Annual Reports
ANBI
For our Foundation’s governance policies, click below
Latest news
The Foundation is dedicated to fostering the growth of women in STEM fields, collaborating with Women Win and the University of Oxford to create meaningful impact. We are pleased to announce a call for applications through these partnerships aimed at empowering the next generation of women in STEM
The Optiver Foundation partners with Oxford University
Corporate news
We’re pleased to announce that the Optiver Foundation is partnering with the University of Oxford to launch an international scholarship programme to encourage diversity in STEM-related education.
