Educational Grants for Women within the Framework of the “Profession Has No Gender” Initiative — A Launchpad for Higher Education in Entrepreneurship and STEM Fields
If you are proficient in English, eager to pursue quality higher education, and envision a career in business, technology, or science — this is your opportunity.
TBC Bank announces an open competition for educational grants for women who plan to begin their first year of undergraduate studies or a Foundation Year at one of the four partner universities, in fields related to entrepreneurship or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
As a result of the competition, seven finalists will receive full funding for the first year of their tuition for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Grants are awarded in partnership with leading private universities in Uzbekistan:
- American University of Technologies (AUT)
- IT Park University
- TEAM University
- Amity University in Tashkent
About the “Profession Has No Gender” Scholarship Program
The future is being shaped today — by those with access to education.
According to UNESCO, women make up less than 30% of researchers globally, and only around 30% of female students choose STEM-related fields in higher education. Participation is especially low in certain areas: only 3% of female students study ICT, 5% pursue natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics, and 8% enroll in engineering, manufacturing, and construction.
In Uzbekistan, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2025, more than 54.3% of university students are female, yet only 17.5% are enrolled in STEM disciplines.
In business and entrepreneurship, women continue to face limited access to capital, mentorship, and leadership roles, despite increasing interest and talent among the younger female generation.
The potential of hundreds of thousands of young women remains untapped due to barriers we can overcome — together.
Expanding access to education, professional training, and employment in STEM and entrepreneurship for women not only promotes gender equality, but also improves academic and business outcomes. Women’s participation brings diverse ideas, solutions, and approaches, driving innovation and strengthening teams.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following basic eligibility criteria:
- Be a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
- Plan to begin undergraduate studies or a Foundation Year in one of the partner universities in the 2025–2026 academic year;
- Hold a general secondary school certificate with a GPA of at least 4.0;
- Have an IELTS certificate with an overall band score of 7.0 or higher (applicable for AUT, IT Park University, and TEAM University; alternatively, successful completion of internal university entrance exams may be accepted);
- Demonstrate active interest in their chosen field (e.g., participation in Olympiads, competitions, or relevant projects);
- Aspire to build a career in entrepreneurship, technology, or innovation.
Note: Preference may be given to candidates with disabilities, all else being equal.
Not eligible to apply:
- Employees or immediate relatives of employees at TBC Bank or the partner universities;
- Individuals already receiving full financial sponsorship for their studies from other organizations.
How to Apply for the Grant?
To apply for the “Profession Has No Gender” scholarship, applicants must submit their documents directly to one of the four listed partner universities. Each applicant may apply to only one university and must follow the admissions procedure set by that institution.
Application Process:
Step 1. Review the admission requirements of your selected university and prepare the required documents, including:
- University application documents (as per individual university guidelines);
- IELTS certificate with an overall score of 7.0 or higher (or successful completion of internal exams for IT Park University and TEAM University);
- A completed scholarship application form (the form will be provided by the selected university).
Step 2. Submit all documents to the selected university no later than August 13, 2025.
Step 3. Participate in the selection process, which may include an in-person interview and/or a creative assessment.
Selection Process
The selection will take place in two stages:
Preliminary review of submitted documents to verify compliance with the basic eligibility criteria.
Final selection by a committee that includes representatives of the selected university and the following organizations:
Final selection by a committee that includes representatives of the selected university and the following organizations:
- Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan
- Asian Development Bank
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- UN Women
For more detailed information, applicants are encouraged to review the official Grant Program Guidelines.
Contact Information
For questions regarding academic programs or the application process, please contact the selected university directly via the contact details provided on their official websites:
American University of Technologies
IT Park University
TEAM University
Amity University in Tashkent
American University of Technologies
IT Park University
TEAM University
Amity University in Tashkent
For all other inquiries related to the scholarship program, please contact the organizers at:
📧 grants@tbcbank.uz
📧 grants@tbcbank.uz