WISDOM: OWSD programme for displaced women scientists

The OWSD WISDOM (Women in Science Displacement Outreach Master’s) is OWSD’s newest initiative and a timely response to displacement - one of the defining global challenges of our era

Rather than creating new pathways for mobility, WISDOM supports women scientists who are already refugees, having fled conflict or crisis and resettled in countries across the Global South. These women often face a difficult reality. While they may be safe, their education and careers have been put on indefinite hold.

WISDOM addresses this gap by offering fully funded Master’s scholarships, along with a supportive academic environment that allows them to restart their scientific journeys and build a future.

Video introducing OWSD WISDOM: transformative higher education for refugee women in STEM

WISDOM is opening new venues for collaboration and research in the links between gender- migration and science. The Programme has supported a co-hort of researchers from Myanmar, Sudan, Ukraine and Peru/ Venezuela and currently working with scholars from Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Palestine. This is building a network of researchers across the world interested in exploring these themes and offering ideas for policy makers around supporting professional networks and careers when researchers are forced to flee. This work will be explored at an international conference in Rome, Italy, in April 2026, Sustaining knowledge during crises: Gender and Displacement in Science.

At the heart of WISDOM is a new model of South–South cooperation. OWSD works directly with selected universities in host countries that have large numbers of displaced people - currently Jordan, Türkiye, and Uganda – to co-develop a framework that not only supports the scholars but also strengthens the host institutions themselves. This ensures that countries in the Global South can continue to prosper with the talents of displaced students and researchers from the region.

Each programme iteration includes a Capacity Building component to enhance the institution’s ability to respond to gender-specific and protection-related needs, ensuring displaced students are met with inclusive policies, trained staff, and effective support systems.

A student Network Building component which includes mentorship, community engagement, and long-term planning – further empowers scholars and prepares them for life after graduation.

In 2025, OWSD, partnered with Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), to offer fully funded WISDOM Master’s scholarships for refugee women scientists in Uganda.

A total of 20 scholarships have been offered for Master’s programmes in science for a maximum duration of two (2) years.

Admission Requirements and eligibility
2025 WISDOM Scholarship candidates must meet the minimum requirements for admission into Master’s programmes as stipulated by the Mbarara University Senate.

Nationality: The candidate must be a national of an eligible country (please see list of countries).
Refugee Status: Proof of refugee status issued by UNHCR and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), with the candidate residing in Uganda at the time of application.
Full-Time Study Commitment: Be able to commit to full-time study for the duration of the Master’s programme (maximum of two years).
Recommendation Letters: Two recommendation letters from academic or professional references must be provided.
Personal Statement: A personal statement outlining your academic goals, career aspirations, and how this scholarship will help you overcome barriers in your educational journey.

See a full list of eligible of eligible study programmes at MUST for WISDOM Scholarships.

Send the required documents, below, to this email - wisdom@must.ac.ug

Personal statement
Proof of nationality (passport biodata page or national)
Refugee status documentation from UNHCR and OPM
Two recommendation letters from academic or professional references Secondary School and Bachelors Academic papers.

For clarification or guidance, please contact:

Ms Sheila Niinye Twinamatsiko
Project Focal Person
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Uganda)
wisdomproject@must.ac.ug
+256782595511/ +256704741514

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