Application Deadline: November 29, 2024 at 11:59PM EST

Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 US-MEPI Tomorrow’s Leaders Program. Sponsored by the Department of State’s U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program offers undergraduate and graduate scholarships to exceptional students from socioeconomically underserved backgrounds who represent the cultural and geographic diversity of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Since 2006, the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program has partnered with the leading American-style universities to equip participants with knowledge and practical skills necessary for effective leadership. By attending world-class universities like the American University in Cairo, the American University of Beirut, and the Lebanese American University, which are rooted in the liberal arts tradition, Tomorrow’s Leaders foster critical thinking and strengthen the ability to find creative solutions to the challenges facing their communities, the MENA region, and the world.

Eligible Countries:

• Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen.

Undergraduate Program

• Current high school seniors or applicants who graduated from high school in 2024.
  • Applicants from Iraq, Libya, Syria, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen who graduated high school in 2023 are also eligible.
  • Current high school seniors must maintain their high academic achievement and pass their leaving exam.
• Demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. Minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80, received within two years of admission date (August 2025).
• Demonstrate financial need. Applicants should be underrepresented or economically deserving students and should provide supporting financial documentation.
• Ability to travel and start their undergraduate program in August 2025.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Maturity, adaptability, and leadership potential.

Graduate Program

• Evidence of academic English proficiency as required by the relevant graduate program.
• Commit to completing their master’s degree within two academic years.
• Meet admission requirement at host university, additional information provided on each institution’s website.
• Demonstrate financial need. Applicants should be underrepresented or economically deserving students and should provide supporting financial documentation.
• Ability to travel and start their graduate program in August 2025.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Maturity, adaptability, and leadership potential.

Study School

• The American University of Beirut (AUB)
• The American University in Cairo (AUC)
• The Lebanese American University (LAU)

Benefits

• Tuition and enrollment fees (for a maximum period of four academic years for undergraduate students and two academic years for graduate students)
• University health insurance
• Entrance visa and residency permit fees
• Student housing
• Monthly living stipend when participating in TL activities
• Textbook allowance
• Laptop (for use for the duration of the program)
• Two round-trip tickets to home country, territory, or place of residence per year
• Civic leadership and career-oriented workshops
• Internship opportunities
• Faculty mentorship and guidance
• An opportunity to study at a university in the United States (undergraduate students only)
• An opportunity to participate in graduate assistantships or research assistantships (graduate students only)

Application Timeline:

• August 30, 2024: Application opens for the 2025–2026 Academic Year.
• September–November 2024: Applications for the 2025–2026 Academic Year will be open.
• November 29, 2024: Application deadline.
• December 2024: Initial review of all submitted applications.
• January 2025: Applicants are invited to interview. Applicants should be prepared for an interview with FHI 360 staff, U.S. Embassy staff, and a TL alumni during the month of January. FHI 360 encourages students to begin studying for their standardized tests which will take place during the month of February through mid-March. Only applicants who have passed the interview phase will be supported in taking standardized testing (TOEFL, SAT).
• February–April 2025: Applicants are notified if they will be forwarded for consideration by partner universities. Students complete the TOEFL and SAT exams during this period, if they have not previously.
• May–July 2025: Applicants will begin being notified of conditional offers at partner universities. Notifications will be sent on a rolling basis.
• June–July 2025: Applicants with conditional offers with low TOEFL or IELTS scores, are offered the opportunity for an 8-week online English intensive.
• August 2025: Accepted applicants attend the Pre-Departure Orientation and Leadership Workshop sessions. Incoming Tomorrow’s Leaders depart home for travel to universities.

OFA