New Scholarship for Pre-Med Undergrads

The OCI Foundation, a non-profit, was founded by Associate Professor Chris Onyebuchi Ifediora, a Harvard-trained Nigerian-born medical practitioner based in Australia. The organization is registered and has headquarters in Nigeria, Australia, and the United Kingdom, focusing on advancing health, education, and social welfare. This specific scholarship, one of six offered by the foundation, was established in January 2020. It honors the memory of Bradley John Hope, a 16-year-old Australian who passed away in late 2019. The award is funded by the Hope Family, primarily through savings that would have supported Brad's annual upkeep. The application window for the 2026 scholarship cycle opens on February 22nd and closes on April 26th. While this award is designated for first-year undergraduate students in Nigerian tertiary institutions, it is part of the foundation's broader mission to support promising but financially challenged students. The financial hurdles for pre-med students are substantial, with primary application fees to U.S. medical schools costing around $175 for the first school and $45-$47 for each additional one. Secondary application fees add to the burden, typically costing between $75 and $150 per school. Beyond applications, the total cost of MCAT preparation can range from $160 to over $2,000 for courses and materials. When factoring in primary applications, secondary fees, and interview expenses, the total cost to apply to medical school can easily amount to several thousand dollars.