The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to implement a 7-year scholarship program to be implemented in 10 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) from 2024-2030.
The Phase Il program is a scale up of the Higher Education Access Program (HEAP) in Uganda and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in Ethiopia and Rwanda. It aims to support academically talented young women and men from underrepresented communities to access higher education and successfully transition to the world of work. Over a period of seven years (2024-2030), FAWE Uganda will support and empower 1,800 underrepresented young people.
For the academic year 2025/2026, we are offering 700 bursaries, 500 allocated to the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) and 200 for Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET) program. The bursary program will prioritize young women (80%) and young men (20%), with a focus on: persons with special needs, refugees, individuals facing significant social, economic barriers and aged 18-25 years for Uganda nationals and 18-30 years for refugees.
The program will be implemented across the Easter, Central, Northern, and Wester regions of Uganda in the following target districts; Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Amuru, Bududa, Bukwo, Bulisa, Bundibugyo, Buyende, Kaabong, Kaberamaido, Kalungu, Kampala, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kasanda, Kasese, Katakwii, Kaabong, Kikuube, Kiryandongo, Kole, Kotido, Kween, Lamwo, Luuka, Manafwa, Mayuge, Moroto, Moyo, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk, Namayingo, Napak, Nebbi, Ntoroko, Nwoya, Obongi, Otuke, Pader, Palisa, Terego, Tororo, Wakiso, Isingiro and Yumbe.
Applicants should have completed secondary education and will be transitioning into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and University education through the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC).
1. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
TVET involves the study of technologies and related sciences, as well as the acquisition of practical skills, attitudes, understanding, and knowledge related to occupations in various economic and social sectors. The bursary will only consider applicants in sciences or STEM related courses.
TVET Bursary Eligibility Criteria for:
I. At least one principal pass in relevant subjects obtained in the same sitting in Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent for those enrolling for Diploma Courses.
II. At least five passes obtained in the same sitting of Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) old curriculum for Candidates who sat in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 for those enrolling for Certificate Courses with no failure nine (F9) in any of the relevant subjects
III. Must have obtained A, B and C as grade level achieved by candidates who sat Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) – Uganda Certificate Examinations in 2024
There are 200 bursaries available for this category of applicants interested in pursuing STEM-related courses at the following TVET institutions: Uganda Technical College – Elgon Mbale, Uganda Technical College – Lira, Uganda Technical College -Kichwamba, Nile Vocational Training Institute in Jinja, Medical Laboratory Technology Training School Jinja, Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery, Jinja School of Nursing and Midwifery, Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences (UIAHMS), Soroti School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences (MIHS), Gulu School of Health Sciences, Moyo School of Nursing and Midwifery, Bukalasa Agricultural College Luwero, and Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK).
2. Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) Program
The Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) is a pathway providing entry opportunities for candidates who did not obtain appropriate qualifications from the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) based on current national admission criteria, as well as those with foreign qualifications not meeting the admission requirements for higher institutions in Uganda.
Participants admitted into the HEAC program will be supported to pursue degree programs at partner universities upon successful completion of theN1-year HEAC program.
Eligibility/Entry Requirements for the HEAC program:
1. UACE holders with at least one principle pass or two subsidiary passes in principal subjects obtained at the same sitting
II. Vocational qualifications at level 2 or level 3 of the Uganda Vocational Qualifications Framework
III. Qualifications equivalent to UACE as determined by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in consultation with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB)
Applicants must be admitted for direct entry into the HEAC program for the academic year 2025/2026 to undertake a science/ STEM-related courses at the following partner universities: Bishop Stuart University, Busitema University, Cavendish University, Gulu University, Kabale University, Kumi University, Lira University, Muni University, Kampala International University (Western Campus – Ishaka), Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Soroti University, Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi University and Ndejje University.
There are 500 bursaries available for this category (80% female; 20% male) for program participants interested in pursuing STEM-related university programs upon successful completion of the HEAC program.
Who qualifies for Bursaries at FAWE Uganda.
Applicants to either the TVET or HEAC bursaries must also meet the requirements below:
1. Underrepresented youth aged 18-25 years for Uganda nationals and 18-30 years for refugees
II. Must have been born in, and is a resident of any of the districts targeted by the project
III. Applicants who sat their Ordinary or Advanced Level examinations in schools outside their districts of birth but born from the districts targeted by the project can apply for the bursaries
IV. Applicants must have completed senior Four or Six in the years 2021, 2022,2023 and 2024.
V. The applicant must not be a current beneficiary of any other bursary scheme or similar bursary elsewhere.
VI. Applicants living with special needs, refugees, HIV/AIDS infected or affected, and orphaned (total or partial) are encouraged to apply.
VII. The Applicant must be willing to give back to his/her community through development services.
VIII.Applicants for the TVET will pursue 3-year STEM-related Diploma courses or 2 years STEM-related certificate courses.
IX. Applicants for the HEAC will complete one-year bridging / HEAC programmes before being sponsored for university degree / Diploma courses.
NB. All considered learners MUST complete their identified/ courses they are admitted to or else, commit to fully refund all expenses related to their participation on the program.
How to apply:
I. Application forms will be available at no cost at the offices of the Academic Registrars of the all-partner universities and TVET institutions (see above list of partner institutions per category)
II. Application forms can also be found at the District Education Offices in the above listed 51 program districts and FAWE Uganda Office at plot 328, Bukoto – Kisaasi Road, P.O. Box 24117 Kampala, Uganda or downloaded from the FAWE Uganda website through the link below: faweuganda.org
III. Pick and submit a fully filled-in application form to the District Education Office in the operational districts mentioned above, or any of the partner institutions above or to FAWE Uganda head office on Plot 328 Magulu Close Kampala, or the FAWE Uganda field offices in Fort Portal, Plot 19A1 Government Road, and Mbarara city, Boma Road. Kindly ensure that you sign upon submission of your fully filled application.
The deadline for submission of applications is 15 May 2025.
Please note that:
I. Application forms are free of charge and NO fees/ facilitation or intermediaries required at any stage of the selection process.
II. Inaccurate information or misinterpretation of any part of the application, falsification or incomplete application and any attempt to influence the process will lead to automatic disqualification or recommendation for dismissal from the program.
III. All documents submitted will be subjected to thorough verification including home visits of successful applicants before final approval and award.
IV. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified
FAWE Uganda maintains a zero-tolerance policy to child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and sexual harassment by its employees, consultants, volunteers, beneficiaries, service providers/contractors, vendors, partners or anyone associated with the delivery of FAWE Uganda’s programs and services. All complaints of misconduct shall be brought to FAWE Uganda’s attention through this channel: [email protected]
For further clarification and guidance on the application process, kindly call the following numbers
1. Western Uganda (Ankole, Tooro, Rwenzori and Bunyoro) 0782530100
I1. Northern Uganda (West Nile, Acholi and Lango) 0708387926
III. Easter Uganda (Karamoja, Teso, Bukedi, Bugisu, Sebei and Busoga) 0773447562
IV. Central Uganda (Buganda) 0778692810
NB: Please note that calls will ONLY be received between 8 am and 5 pm each day. Any calls outside these working hours will NOT be answered.
