Ford has marked 100 years of commitment to the UK by announcing a new £1 million university scholarship programme. The programme, in technical and innovation fields, was revealed by Ford Executive Chairman, William Clay Ford Jr and has been named the “Ford Blue Oval Scholarship Programme”.

The scheme aims to provide 100 scholarships for students – one per year of the automaker’s UK operations. Ford will be offering each student lucky enough to win the scholarship £10,000 over a three year period. Undergraduates studying in UK universities across fields such as engineering, science and technology will be eligible for the grant.

The funding for the programme will be put forward by Ford of Britain and the Ford Motor Company Fund, which works with partners from around the world to support initiatives in driving safely, community life and education.

Joe Greenwell, chairman of Ford of Britain, said: "Ford of Britain is playing a key role in Ford's global strategy, and continued investment in the UK will propel us forward into the next 100 years. The Ford Blue Oval Scholarship Programme will help encourage young people to study engineering, science and technology at university. These skills are fundamental to our future industrial base, the rebalancing of the UK economy and long term economic success."