The Materna Fund: Backing STEM Talent Where It Matters
At Matchtech, we believe that talent should never be held back by circumstance. That’s why we launched The Materna Fund in partnership with the University of Portsmouth, to support Foundation Year engineering students who show promise, drive, and dedication. The concept was simple but powerful: provide bursaries to help ease financial barriers, so students can focus on their studies rather than juggling multiple jobs or worrying about resources.
In its first year, we selected two scholars, David and Sergio, from among many strong applicants. The goal from day one has been to help them complete their foundation year and continue their journey in engineering, equipped, confident, and free from undue financial strain.
Below is David’s story: how the Fund made a real difference, and how it continues to fuel ambition and progress.
David’s Journey: From Pressure to Possibility
For David Sarembock, the support from The Materna Fund was more than financial relief - it was the space to grow, experiment, and push through challenges.
“I was able to fully focus on my studies and use the funds to get equipment that made some modules much easier, and achieved a better grade because of it.”
Before receiving the bursary, David was balancing his studies with part-time work, which ate into both his time and mental energy. The Fund changed that. With the financial burden lifted, he could devote the attention his work demanded, and still rest when needed.
He invested part of the support in tools that made a real difference: an A3 drawing board for engineering modules he found tough, and extra mathematics textbooks to strengthen areas he was less confident in. These may seem like small aids, but for David, they were bridges over difficult academic terrain.
Since finishing his Foundation Year in engineering, David has moved on to study BSc (Hons) Physics, Astrophysics & Cosmology at the University of Portsmouth, a step that reflects both his passion and the confidence the support gave him.
“I’m very thankful for the bursary and honoured to have been selected.”
By backing students like David, The Materna Fund is helping to shape the pipeline of STEM professionals who will lead the future of engineering, one scholarship at a time.
See how we’re backing the future of engineering: STEM Futures
