James Aryam Scholarships 2026 | Fully Funded

For female refugees from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland living in Uganda or Kenya, the James Aryam Scholarship represents one of the more substantial postgraduate funding routes available in the region, offering full tuition, a monthly stipend, and relocation support, specifically built for women whose education has been interrupted by conflict and displacement. The 2026 application window closed on 24th April, and shortlisted candidates were interviewed in May, so this particular round has moved past the application stage.

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Windle Trust International runs this scholarship every year on a broadly consistent calendar, though, so if you missed this cycle, there’s a real, predictable opportunity coming rather than nothing at all. This piece covers exactly what the scholarship offers, who it’s built for, and what to do with the months before the next window opens.

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About The James Aryam Scholarships

Windle Trust International has worked in refugee education across East Africa for decades, operating through Windle International Uganda and Windle International Kenya on the ground, and its Postgraduate Programme, of which the James Aryam Scholarship is one strand, exists specifically to get talented refugee students past a barrier that stops most from ever reaching graduate study: money. What sets this particular award apart from many “refugee scholarship” listings is how deliberately it’s scoped.

It isn’t a general fund open to any field of study; it’s built around education-related Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma programmes at five named Ugandan universities, reflecting WTI’s broader aim of building up a pipeline of trained educators who can go on to strengthen schooling in the very communities they came from.

It’s also explicit about prioritising women; the programme maintains a target of at least 50% female participation across its broader Postgraduate Programme, and the James Aryam award specifically is reserved for women, addressing a documented gender gap in access to higher education among the communities WTI serves. Worth knowing too: WTI never charges anything for this application. If anyone asks you for a fee to apply for a James Aryam Scholarship, that’s not a legitimate request.

James Aryam Scholarships Summary

Eligibility Requirements

• You must be a female refugee currently residing in Uganda or Kenya.
• You must originate from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, or Somaliland.
• You must have already applied for admission to an education-related graduate course at one of the five eligible universities, with proof of that application ready to upload.
• You need a first degree equivalent to a British upper second-class (2:1) or above; First Class, Second Class Upper Division, Distinction, and “Very Good” classifications all count. Non-medical ungraded degrees need a minimum GPA of 4.0 out of 5.0, or 3.2 out of 4.0. Second Class Lower Division, “Good,” Third Class, and “Pass” classifications don’t meet the bar.
• If your degree is from a Sudanese institution outside medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy, it must be a BA/BSc Honours degree specifically.
• You need at least two years of professional or volunteer experience relevant to your intended field of study, completed after your undergraduate graduation. You can apply before finishing those two years, but you can’t be placed on the programme until the requirement is met.
• You must be capable of studying in the language of instruction, and shortlisted candidates may be asked to sit an approved English test.
• You need adequate arrangements in place for any dependants during your studies, since WTI cannot provide support for dependants.
• WTI will not knowingly sponsor more than one member of the same family in a given year.
• Applicants from all religious and ethnic backgrounds are welcome, and those facing exceptional disadvantage — including camp residents, survivors of violence, people with disabilities, and those who’ve lost family to conflict — are particularly encouraged to apply.

What the Award Actually Provides

• Full tuition fees covered for the entire postgraduate programme, not just a single year.
• A monthly maintenance stipend to cover living costs throughout your studies.
• Relocation costs, recognising that many recipients need to physically move to take up their place.
• No cost to apply, WTI charges nothing for the scholarship application itself, though the universities themselves may charge separate application fees, which candidates need to budget for independently.
• Interview and selection support is conducted either in your country of residence or online, removing the need for costly travel during the selection process itself.
• Additional pre-study support for exceptionally disadvantaged applicants, arranged on a case-by-case basis.
• Guidance from WTI on meeting each partner university’s own selection criteria once you’ve cleared WTI’s initial selection.

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Required Documents

• Completed WTI online scholarship application form, submitted only through the official WTI portal, never by email.
• Evidence of your university application, uploaded as a mandatory part of the WTI form, ideally showing applications to two or more of the five eligible universities.
• Academic transcripts demonstrating your degree classification.
• Documentation of your two years of relevant professional or volunteer experience.
• English language test results or proficiency evidence, if requested at shortlisting.

How to Prepare While the Portal Is Closed

The 2026 window has shut, and while WTI hasn’t announced exact 2027 dates, its typical pattern suggests a similar mid-March opening. Here’s how to spend the months before then:

1. Start your university applications early once the next cycle nears. WTI specifically recommends applying to at least two of the five eligible universities — Uganda Christian University, Makerere University, Bugema University, Uganda Martyrs University, and University of Kisubi — since proof of application is mandatory before you can even submit your WTI form.
2. Confirm your degree classification meets the bar now, not later. If you’re unsure how your specific qualification translates, gather your transcripts and check them against the 2:1-equivalent standard well ahead of time, rather than discovering a gap during application season.
3. Document your relevant experience as you go. If you’re still working toward the two-year experience requirement, keep records of your professional or volunteer work now, so you have solid evidence ready when you do apply.
4. Sort out care arrangements for any dependants in advance. Since WTI requires assurance that dependants will be cared for during your studies, having this settled ahead of application season strengthens your file and saves time under deadline pressure.
5. Save toward university application fees. WTI doesn’t cover these, and having the funds ready avoids a late scramble once you’ve identified your target universities.
6. Watch the official Windle Trust International website from January 2027 onward, since, based on this year’s mid-March opening, the announcement is likely to land in the early months of the year.

Application Deadline

The 2026 window ran from 16th March to 24th April, and interviews for shortlisted candidates took place in May. WTI hasn’t published 2027 dates yet, but based on this year’s timing and the programme’s consistent annual pattern, expect a similar window to open around March 2027. Check the official WTI site periodically as that period approaches, since exact dates can shift year to year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the James Aryam Scholarship still accepting applications?

No. The 2026 window closed on 24th April 2026. Based on the programme’s annual pattern, expect a new application window to open around March 2027.

Do I need to pay any fee to apply for the James Aryam Scholarship?

No. Windle Trust International never charges a fee for this scholarship application. You will, however, need to cover separate application fees charged by the universities you apply to, since WTI doesn’t fund those.

Can I apply if I haven’t yet completed my two years of relevant experience?

Yes, you can apply before completing the two-year requirement, but you cannot be placed on the programme until you’ve met it.

Does meeting the eligibility criteria guarantee a scholarship?

No. WTI is explicit that the number of eligible candidates significantly exceeds available funding, so meeting every criterion improves your chances but doesn’t guarantee sponsorship.

Can I apply if I’m a woman from a different East African country, not Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, or Somaliland?

No, not through this specific scholarship. The James Aryam award is limited to female refugees from those four origin countries specifically, residing in Uganda or Kenya. Windle Trust International runs other postgraduate scholarship routes with different country eligibility, so it’s worth checking their full Postgraduate Programme page for options that might match your background.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of July 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official Windle Trust International website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with Windle Trust International, Windle International Uganda, or Windle International Kenya.

Official Application Portal