XTX Markets
University of Warwick secures major philanthropic support for early-career research and Ukraine education programmes.
University of Warwick has received two transformative philanthropic gifts from XTX Markets, a leading algorithmic trading firm. These donations represent a major investment in Warwick’s academic excellence, funding two distinct postgraduate initiatives: PhD students in pure mathematics, and Master’s students in the educational and research reconstruction of Ukraine.
Early-career research funding for pure mathematics
Fifteen students will join the Department of Mathematics in three cohorts between 2026 and 2028 to study for a PhD in pure mathematics.
Professor James Robinson, Head of Mathematics at University of Warwick, said: "Thanks to the generous support of XTX Markets, we will be able to welcome an additional five PhD students across all areas of pure mathematics to the Warwick Mathematics Institute for the next three years.
“Since the department opened in 1965, PhD students have always played a key role in ensuring the vitality of our excellent research environment, and through their engagement with our undergraduate teaching, to pass on their enthusiasm and knowledge to the next generation of talented mathematicians.
“These scholarships will enable them to take the first steps towards a professional career as a mathematician, whether they choose to remain in academia or use their expertise to contribute beyond university, and we are very grateful to XTX Markets for making the opportunities we can provide available to more talented early-career researchers."
The gift will allow talented students, regardless of their financial background, to benefit from funding to support their fees, living costs, equipment, and travel. The programme will also see University of Warwick organise three summer schools to engage potential students with the value of pure mathematics postgraduate education. This gift is part of XTX Markets’ Early-Career Research Funding programme providing over £26 million in multi-year funding for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers at seven top UK universities.
Warwick is aiming to attract top talent from the UK and abroad, building on its global reputation, which saw it ranked as 6th in the UK for Mathematics in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
Master’s in Leadership for Educational Reconstruction Programme
40 Ukrainian educational leaders, founders and CEOs from government, charities and public and private education will join Warwick’s Master’s in Leadership for Educational Reconstruction Programme.
The programme will help lay the foundations for the renewal of the country’s education system, delivered in close collaboration with partners, including the Ukrainian Catholic University and the Ukrainian Leadership Academy.
Professor Gwen van der Velden, Professor of Education at University of Warwick, said: “In collaboration with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science and with financial support from XTX Markets, we are paving the way for a programme that will have both longevity and significant impact.
“It will enable us to establish on-the-ground programmes at Ukrainian universities, to educate leaders, and to inform the national policy and strategy required to both sustain society during war and to reconstruct the nation post-war.”
The Master’s programme recognises the need for new approaches to peacemaking against a backdrop of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and geopolitical tensions. Education leaders trained by Warwick will bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world application.
Commenting on both gifts, Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Warwick, said: “This incredible philanthropic support from XTX Markets will enable many more students to benefit from a world-class higher education.”
“The economy and strategic resilience of the UK beyond the 2030s will demand advanced mathematical skills. The pipeline of early career academic talent is essential and will drive the legacy of this collaboration.”
“Separately, their generous support for our Ukrainian education programme, will play a vital role in the rebuilding and resilience of the country.”
To find out more about supporting students at Warwick, visit our Giving pages.
Images above show (left):
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick, and Ivanna Kurtyk, Deputy CEO of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy. The MoU then travelled to Kyiv to be signed by the Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi.
(right):
The Ukrainian Education Rebuilding Summer School in September 2023 welcomed 40 education professionals from the war-torn country to the University of Warwick campus this month. (Note - these aren't the Masters students funded by the donor)