Meet Our Scholars
Behind every statistic is a person who took a chance on themselves. These are a few of the current scholars carrying the mission forward.
placeholder stories — real ones coming
“My mentor didn't just help me pick a master's program — she helped me believe I belonged in one.”
Amina
Fellowship '25 · Electrical Engineering
Amina joined the Fellowship in her second year of university, the first in her family to study engineering. The scholarship covered what would otherwise have meant a part-time job; her mentor, an electrical engineer in the diaspora, met her every other week for two years.
They worked through course choices, a summer internship application, and eventually the question she had been avoiding: whether to apply for a master's abroad — and whether she would come back.
Where she is now
Starting a master's in power systems, and mentoring two Ignite students of her own.
Two tracks, one community
High school students in Ignite, university students in the Fellowship — and the people who helped them get there.
TarikIgnite
Class of '26 · High school
“The tutoring got me through matura. The community got me dreaming past it.”
Zenica
LejlaFellowship
Class of '24 · Medicine
“I used to think leaving was the only way up. BHFF showed me a network that works in both directions.”
Mostar
HarisFellowship
Class of '26 · Computer Science
“I applied thinking I had nothing to show. The interview was the first time anyone asked what I wanted to build.”
Bihać
Voices from the Academy
Filmed at the scholar Academy in Zenica, July 2026.
Two ways in
One application cycle, two tracks — matched to where you are in your education.
High school students
Ignite
A head start before university — for students who take school seriously and want someone in their corner.
- Free STEM tutoring matched to your goals
- A mentor to help you choose your path
- Guidance on university applications, at home and abroad
University students
Fellowship
Funding and fast-tracking your studies — with professionals in your field who have walked the same road.
- Scholarship funding for your course of study
- One-on-one mentorship from professionals in your field
- Internship and research introductions across our partner network
Life as a scholar
Scholars graduate. They don't leave.
Our alumni come back as mentors, workshop leads, and meetup hosts — like the past team leaders recognized at this year's Academy.
Meet the alumni network