Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The US-MEPI Tomorrow’s Leaders Program is a flagship initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). It provides comprehensive undergraduate scholarships combined with intensive leadership development for students from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The program partners with two prominent American-style universities in the region: the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Lebanese American University (LAU). Since its inception, the program has built a network of over 1,900 alumni who now serve in leadership positions at local, national, and regional levels throughout MENA.
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What the Scholarship Covers
This is a fully funded scholarship that provides:
- Full tuition coverage at partner universities
- Travel expenses to and from the host country
- Pre-departure orientation and leadership workshop
- Access to an 8-week online English intensive program for conditionally accepted students with lower English proficiency scores
- Ongoing leadership training and professional development
- Membership in the Tomorrow’s Leaders alumni network upon graduation
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be citizens of one of the following countries:
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- Algeria
- Egypt
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Morocco
- Syria
- Tunisia
- West Bank/Palestinian students residing in a third country with legal residency status
- Yemen
Important: U.S. citizens and U.S. legal permanent residents are not eligible. This scholarship is not open to students from sub-Saharan African countries, including Zimbabwe and SADC nations.
Academic Programs Available
American University of Beirut (AUB)
- Agribusiness
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Food Science and Management
- Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
Lebanese American University (LAU)
- Bioinformatics
- Biology
- Business – Accounting
- Business – Banking & Finance
- Business – Family & Entrepreneurial Business
- Business – International Business
- Business – Information Technology Management
- Business – Management
- Business – Marketing
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Graphic Design
- Mathematics
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
- Citizenship of an eligible MENA country listed above
- Current high school senior or graduate from high school in 2026
- For applicants from Iraq, Libya, Syria, West Bank/Palestinian students in third countries, and Yemen: high school graduation in 2025 is also accepted
- Current high school seniors must maintain strong academic performance and pass their leaving examination
- Demonstrated maturity, flexibility, and leadership potential
- Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.0 (new 1–6 scale) or 80 (old 0–120 scale), received within two years of the program start date
- Ability to travel and commence undergraduate studies in August 2027
Application Process
The Tomorrow’s Leaders Program uses a centralized application system. Applicants do not need to submit separate applications to AUB or LAU.
Step-by-Step Timeline
October 2026: Application opens for the 2027–2028 academic year.
October–November 2026: Application period remains open.
November 18, 2026: Application deadline. No late submissions accepted.
December 2026: Initial review of all submitted applications.
January 2027: Selected applicants invited to interview with FHI 360 staff, U.S. Embassy personnel, and Tomorrow’s Leaders alumni. Applicants should begin preparing for standardized tests during this period.
February–April 2027: Applicants notified if forwarded for university consideration. TOEFL and SAT exams completed during this window for those who have not already taken them. Only interview-passed applicants receive support for standardized testing.
May–July 2027: Conditional offers from partner universities sent on a rolling basis.
June–July 2027: Applicants with conditional offers and lower English scores may be offered the 8-week online English intensive.
August 2027: Pre-Departure Orientation and Leadership Workshop. Students depart for their universities.
Required Documents
The research does not specify exact document requirements. Based on typical scholarship applications of this nature, applicants should prepare:
- Completed Tomorrow’s Leaders Program application form
- Academic transcripts and high school leaving examination results
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL iBT scores)
- Passport or national identification
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement or essay demonstrating leadership potential
Applicants should verify specific document requirements on the official program webpage.
Selection Criteria
Candidates are evaluated on:
- Academic excellence and credentials
- Demonstrated leadership potential and community engagement
- Maturity and adaptability
- English language proficiency
- Commitment to returning to and contributing to their home country
Why This Program Matters
The Tomorrow’s Leaders Program represents a significant U.S. government investment in human capital development across the MENA region. By combining rigorous academic training at American-accredited institutions with practical leadership development, the program creates a pipeline of professionals equipped to address regional challenges.
Graduates join an active alumni network that provides ongoing professional support, mentorship opportunities, and collaboration platforms. This network effect amplifies the impact of individual scholarships across multiple sectors and countries.
Advice for Prospective Applicants
Begin preparing English proficiency documentation early. The TOEFL requirement is substantial, and test dates can fill quickly. Similarly, applicants who have not taken the SAT should register for the earliest available dates once invited to proceed.
The interview phase is critical. Prepare concrete examples of leadership experience, community involvement, and how you intend to apply your education upon returning home. Research current regional issues and be prepared to discuss how your studies could contribute to solutions.
Official scholarship page: https://www.fhi360.org/projects/tomorrows-leaders-program
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships