Margaret McNamara Education Grants

06/22/2026

Congratulations, Thi Vui, on your MMEG grant!!!

"This versatile and multi-skilled scholar is destined for high profile achievements as a servant leader for the disempowered.”

Vui Nguyen Thi, from Vietnam, is a PhD student in organizational behavior at Claremont Graduate University. Her doctoral research investigates how cultural norms and organizational structures influence women’s voice, well-being, and leadership trajectories. She will work as an educator and an advocate for marginalized girls.

To learn more about Thi Vu: https://lnkd.in/eK-D6aWq

Join us in celebrating Thi Vu !

06/17/2026

Congratulations, Vanessa, on your MMEG grant!!!

“Every phase of her career, from preschool founder to disability rights advocate to emerging scholar, demonstrates her unwavering focus on improving the educational conditions of children- especially girls and children with disabilities.”

VANESSA MACAMO, from Mozambique, is a Fulbright doctoral candidate in special education at the University of Arizona. She is an educator and an advocate for inclusive education and disability rights. She plans to return to Mozambique and uplift marginalized communities through education and advocacy on local and national levels.

To know more about Vanessa: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/vanessa-macamo

Join us in celebrating Vanessa!

06/16/2026

Congratulations, Netsayi, on your MMEG grant!!!

“Her leadership is grounded in nearly 12 years of experience as a nurse, midwife, educator, and researcher, and informed by a deep understanding of the structural and social determinants of women’s and children’s health in developing countries. She leads with empathy, cultural humility, and a strong ethical compass.”

Netsayi Chimenya Gowero, from Malawi, is completing a doctorate in neonatal nursing at the University of Connecticut. Her thesis is on culturally tailored tube-feeding education for low-birth-weight infants in low-resource settings. She has 12 years of experience as a nurse, midwife, educator, and researcher in Malawi and Connecticut.

To know more about Netsayi: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/netsayi-chimenya-gowero-kilembe

Join us in celebrating Netsayi!

06/15/2026

Es siempre un orgullo ver como las mujeres que han recibido nuestra beca se gradúan con éxito y siguen con determinación su propósito de mejorar la vida de mujeres y niños.
Enhorabuena Fiorela Herrera!

🎓Con muchísima alegría felicitamos a Fiorela Herrera, graduada de la Maestría en Estudios de Género.

Fiorela defendió exitosamente su tesis titulada: “Achka mikuqmi kaniku (somos muchas(os) las(os) que comemos)”: El Estado y las organizaciones sociales en los comedores populares del departamento de Ayacucho (Perú) 2023-2025. 👏

Por su excelente trabajo, Fiorela recibió el reconocimiento de tesis distinguida, mención otorgada a los proyectos de investigación con los mejores puntajes ✨💜

Su investigación fue asesorada por Cristina Vega y contó con la lectura académica de Janine Anderson y Diego Castro

06/15/2026

Congratulations, Anita, on your MMEG grant!!!

“Dr. Anita Kabarambi is a highly responsible individual with a
compassionate heart for all people, possessing a character and
dedication shaped from a young age that directly addresses critical public-health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Anita Kabarambi, from Uganda, is a medical doctor and doctoral candidate in public health at Washington University in St. Louis. She is a dedicated researcher and clinician with a deep-seated passion for improving health outcomes through preventative care.

Join us in celebrating Anita!

06/12/2026

Congratulations, Mildred, on your MMEG grant!!!

“Mildred demonstrates a rare ability to integrate fundamental chemistry with real-world relevance, particularly in projects aimed at low-cost sensing technologies that can improve environmental safety and human health. Her work is creative, technically rigorous, and purpose driven.”

Mildred Emegha Awakessien, from Nigeria, is completing a PhD in electroanalytical chemistry at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her research focuses on developing low-cost electrochemical ammonia and volatile organic compound (VOC) gas sensors for early detection of toxic exposure linked to liver disease, respiratory illness, and environmental safety concerns.

To learn more about Mildred: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/mildred-chukwuedum-emegha

Join us in celebrating Mildred!

06/10/2026

Congratulations, Augusta, on your MMEG grant!!!

“Ms. Ekpemogu’s research has direct relevance to women in developing countries. In many low- and middle-income settings, hysterectomy is often the only available treatment for uterine fibroids due to cost, infrastructure, and limited specialist care […] Ms. Ekpemogu’s work supports the development of safer, more effective, and potentially lowercost treatments…”

Augusta Ijeoma Ekpemogu, from Nigeria, is completing a PhD in mechanical engineering at North Carolina State University. She is developing safer embolic materials for treating uterine fibroids. She plans to work as an R&D engineer in the healthcare industry, focusing on advancing women’s health.

To learn more about Augusta: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/augusta-ekpemogu

Join us in celebrating Augusta!

06/09/2026

Congratulations, Olabisi , on your MMEG grant!!!

“Ms. Olabisi Atofarati is one of the most capable and inspiring doctoral students I have had the privilege to supervise in the Department of Biology at Howard University …Having grown up in a rural community in Nigeria where opportunities for girls were limited, she has transformed her personal experiences into a lifelong commitment to the empowerment of women and children. ”

Olabisi Bello - Atofarati, from Nigeria, is a PhD student in ecology and environmental biology at Howard University. Her work focuses on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem functioning, and community-based approaches integrating women’s empowerment. She founded Aquatic System Conservation Nigeria and advances science-driven biodiversity conservation, policy engagement, and opportunities for women and girls.

To learn more about Olabisi: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/olabisi-atofarati

Join us in celebrating Olabisi!

06/08/2026

Congratulations, Barbra , on your MMEG grant!!!

“Barbra is deeply committed to the well-being of women and children in​

developing countries. Her work is grounded in a strong ethical framework and a belief that children belong in safe, nurturing families, supported by responsive systems.”

Aber Barbra, from Uganda, is completing a dual master’s degree in social work and social policy at Washington University in St. Louis. She worked as a social worker for 15 years and focuses on family reunification, strengthening prevention programs, and building community reintegration services for separated children.

To learn more about Barbra: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/barbra-aber

Join us in celebrating Barbra!

06/05/2026

¡Atención, mujeres de América Latina comprometidas con el cambio social! 🎓🌎

🔔 El periodo de solicitud para las Becas MMEG 2026 ya está abierto. Si tiene 25 años o más, es ciudadana de un país elegible y está inscrita en una universidad participante en América Latina, esta es su oportunidad de obtener apoyo económico para continuar sus estudios de licenciatura, maestría, doctorado o posdoctorado.

📅 Puede postularse del 1 de junio al 30 de septiembre de 2026 (11:59 p.m. EST).

Estas becas están dirigidas a mujeres que, al finalizar sus estudios, planean contribuir al bienestar de otras mujeres y niñas.

📌 Consulte los requisitos y realice su solicitud en: https://www.mmeg.org/aplicar

Flacso-México Ciencias Sociales ; La Ibero ; Universidad Rafael Landívar ; Flacso Ecuador ; INCAE Alumni ; INCAE Business School ; CATIE (Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza) ; Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú - PUCP ; Universidad de los Andes ; Universidad Nacional de Colombia ; Universidad Austral ; UNAM Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ; Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)