McLaren Racing reopens NEXT program for young women in STEM The NEXT 2026 program will run in September, with selected students taking part in mentoring, workshops, and industry sessions at McLaren, Allwyn, Cisco, and Schneider Electric. McLaren Racing has opened applications for a 25-place STEM program for young women from the UK, U.S., and EU, offering access to the McLaren Technology Centre and partner offices in September 2026. NEXT 2026 will run from 7 to 11 September, with three days at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England, and two days across the London offices of program partners Allwyn, Cisco, and Schneider Electric. Applications close on Friday, 12 June 2026. The program is open to applicants who are women, are in their final year of study toward a degree or equivalent in STEM, and are currently based in the UK, EU, or U.S. Eligible subject areas include physics, chemistry, technology, computer science, data analytics, engineering, and mathematics. McLaren covers travel and accommodation McLaren Racing said it will cover travel and accommodation costs for successful applicants, removing one of the most obvious barriers to taking part in an in-person program based in Woking and London. The five-day schedule will include hands-on learning, mentoring, panel discussions, and behind-the-scenes industry immersion. Participants will also have access to industry leaders, recruiters, and peers across motorsport, engineering, technology, energy, data, and commercial roles. NEXT was launched last year after McLaren’s 60 Scholars initiative. The program is designed to give participants a clearer view of STEM career routes inside motorsport and adjacent industries, rather than positioning Formula 1 as the only destination. Holly Clement, who graduated from the 60 Scholars initiative in 2023 and is now a Machine Learning Solutions Engineer at McLaren Racing, says: "The NEXT programme gave me real insight into what a career