Are you a motivated high school graduate from the Middle East or North Africa (MENA) region looking to pursue higher education and grow into a future changemaker? The Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship 2026, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), offers a fully funded pathway for outstanding students to gain an American-style education while building their leadership skills.
About the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program
Launched in 2006, the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program has provided opportunities for academically gifted yet financially challenged students to study at top universities in the MENA region. Over the years, it has created a strong alumni network of more than 1,900 leaders who now work across diverse fields—policy, business, education, and community development.
The program is designed not only to provide access to world-class education but also to equip young people with leadership training, cultural exchange, and practical experiences that prepare them to become drivers of positive change in their societies.
Scholarship Benefits
The Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship provides a comprehensive support package that covers both academic and living expenses. Selected scholars will receive:
- Full tuition and university enrollment fees
- On-campus housing
- Monthly living stipend
- Health insurance
- Textbooks and a personal laptop
- Visa and residency permits
- Two round-trip tickets to their home country per year
- A semester abroad in the United States for global exposure
- Access to leadership training, internships, and community service opportunities
The program partners with three prestigious universities in the region:
- American University in Cairo (AUC)
- American University of Beirut (AUB)
- Lebanese American University (LAU)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need. The program is open to citizens of the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen.
Specific requirements include:
- Be a final-year high school student graduating in 2025, or a recent graduate (2025). Students from Iraq, Libya, Syria, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen who graduated in 2024 are also eligible.
- Strong academic performance and commitment to maintaining it until graduation.
- English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 (taken within two years of program start).
- Demonstrated adaptability, maturity, and leadership potential.
- Proof of financial need.
- Availability to begin studies in August 2026.
U.S. citizens or permanent residents are not eligible for this program.
Why Apply?
The Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship is more than just a fully funded study opportunity. It is a leadership development journey that equips young people with the tools to make a real difference in their communities. Scholars gain:
- A top-tier American-style education in the MENA region.
- Opportunities for personal growth through leadership workshops, internships, and community service.
- International exposure through a study-abroad semester in the United States.
- Access to a lifelong alumni network of professionals and changemakers across the MENA region.
By applying, students position themselves not only for academic success but also for impactful leadership roles in the future.
Application Link
Interested applicants can apply here: Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship 2026 Application
