The JAAGO Women Scholarship Program is a flagship initiative implemented by JAAGO Foundation in partnership with U-GO, aimed at empowering talented female students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds in Bangladesh. The program focuses on enabling access to higher education while equipping scholars with the skills, confidence, and professional exposure needed to transition into meaningful careers.

The program was launched in November 2022 with Cohort 01 consisting of 100 scholars. Since its inception, the program has demonstrated steady growth and increasing impact:

• Cohort 01 (2022): 100 scholars
• Cohort 02 (2023): 176 scholars
• Cohort 03 (2024): 277 scholars
• Cohort 04 (2026): 375 scholars

This progressive expansion reflects both the growing demand for financial and developmental support among female university students and the program's proven effectiveness. To date, the program has supported a total of 928 scholars across all cohorts.

Target Beneficiaries

The program selects female students enrolled in reputed public universities across Bangladesh who:

• Demonstrate strong academic potential
• Face significant financial hardship
• Show commitment to personal and professional growth

Selection Process

The selection process is designed to be rigorous and merit-based to identify the most deserving candidates. It begins with a detailed application form, followed by a careful review process involving an advisory committee and the use of AI tools to support the evaluation and selection of the best candidates. Students with exceptional academic results are given the opportunity to avail the scholarship under this program.

Scholarship Continuation Criteria

To continue receiving support under the scholarship program, scholars must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 throughout their academic journey.

Program Support Components

1. Monthly Financial Support
Each scholar receives a monthly stipend of BDT 4,000 to support educational and living expenses, helping reduce financial barriers and prevent dropouts for up to 48 months until graduation.

2. Skill Development Training
The program offers a structured skill development curriculum designed to prepare scholars for multisectoral careers and enhance their professional readiness. Through a comprehensive series of training sessions, scholars develop leadership capacity, communication and presentation skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and practical competencies in areas such as project management, financial literacy, research, digital proficiency, and the effective use of emerging technologies, including AI. The curriculum also supports career planning, entrepreneurship, higher education pathways, and a smooth transition into professional environments.

3. Mentorship Support
Scholars are connected with mentors from reputed organisations and institutions, offering guidance, career insights, and professional networking opportunities.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased retention and completion of higher education among female students
• Enhanced employability of women through practical skills and mentorship
• Development of confident, skilled young women ready to contribute to Bangladesh's workforce and society

The JAAGO Women Scholarship Program is not only addressing immediate financial constraints but also investing in long-term capacity building of young women. By combining financial aid with skills development and mentorship, the program is creating a scalable model for empowering the next generation of female leaders in Bangladesh.