Support Burundian Initiatives
Applications are now OPEN for the 2025 Shimirimana Scholarship.
The Shimirimana Scholarship for women was established by Anita Shimirimana, a Burundian-American health administrator and businesswoman who defied all odds to achieve her dreams. Anita established her home care business while she was a college sophomore with two children and maintained her business while completing her MBA degree with four children. Additionally, Anita serves as a consultant for Burundians and other immigrants who wish to establish a home care business of their own. She is a dedicated supporter of Burundian youth and business development.
This annual scholarship awards recipients funds of at least $1,500 to be used to help defray the costs of their tuition, room and board fees, or other college expenses. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of academic merit and by their academic promise based on their personal, academic, and professional career goals.
The scholarship is administered by Tuvugane, a Louisville - based youth networking platform to advance contribution towards the development of Burundi.
2025 Dates & Deadlines
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025
Award Announcements: May 24, 2025
WHAT IS THE SHIMIRIMANA SCHOLARSHIP?
An annual scholarship that awards recipients funds of at least $1,500 to be used to help defray the costs of their tuition, room and board fees, and other college expenses. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of academic merit and by their academic promise based on their personal, academic, and professional career goals.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD?
The purpose of this award is (1) to celebrate the accomplishments of a Burundian female student (2) to encourage the recipient to persist in their academic and career goals, and (3) to provide an opportunity for the recipient to further explore their academic and career journey.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
Eligibility for this grant is limited to any degree-seeking Burundian female student currently enrolled in a degree program at any institution of higher learning in the United States.
WHEN IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?
The application deadline is April 1, 2025
The award will be announced on May 24, 2025 at the Tuvugane Awards 2025 celebration.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE SHIMIRIMANA SCHOLARSHIP?
To apply for The Shimirimana Scholarship, candidates must submit all appropriate documentation to Tuvugane no later than 10:00 p.m. E.S.T, April 1, 2024
Applications that do not have all requested material by April 1st will NOT be eligible for the award.
The following materials should be submitted via the linked form below. YOUR NAME SHOULD NOT BE ON THESE DOCUMENTS
● A resume indicating relevant academic and work experience.
● A personal statement (maximum 500 words) explaining the reasons for wishing to receive this award, your academic goals, and how you are defying odds in your personal and academic life. The committee looks for unique stories that inspire young female students.
The following materials should also be sent to Tuvugane15@gmail.com. YOUR NAME SHOULD BE ON THESE DOCUMENTS
● One (1) letter of recommendation. This can be an academic or community reference. A second letter is optional.
These letters must be submitted via Tuvugane’s E-mail and sent by the person recommending the student. Letters of recommendation must be received no later than the deadline.
Aarnie Dushime: one of the recipients of the Shimirimana Scholarship in 2021. As a Tujenge Scholars awardee majoring in Economics with a minor in Public Policy, she utilized her scholarship funds as a rising senior to alleviate her housing expenses.
Allegria Iteka: also a recipient of the Shimirimana Scholarship in 2021, utilized the award to support her studies in the US, where she focused on Gender Studies, Political Science, and African Studies. Her goal is to continue advocating for women’s rights and effecting change in Burundi.
Edithe Rose: awarded the Shimirimana Scholarship in 2022. As the youngest African commissioner in Decatur's history, she majors in Sociology with a passion for understanding and addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities, striving to ensure they have access to life's basic necessities.
Irakoze Merci: received the Shimirimana Scholarship in 2023. She is the first in her family to pursue a master's degree and plans to further her education in social work to make a positive impact in her community as a social worker.
Olive Bukuru Kabura: was awarded the Shimirimana Scholarship in 2024. A lifelong learner and a second-year doctoral student at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, she aims to focus on developing her research and analysis skills, leadership abilities, and management acumen, ultimately becoming an expert in public health leadership, advocacy, and equity.