Tomorrow’S Leaders Scholarship Program For Syrians Students

The U.S. Department of State

Middle East Partnership Initiative

Announces the

Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship Program for Syrians

The U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and AMIDEAST are pleased to announce this year’s recruitment for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship Program. The Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship Program is a MEPI initiative for capable and highly motivated high school seniors in the Middle East and North Africa who are from underserved backgrounds. The program will provide four-year university scholarships and internship opportunities at select institutions of higher learning in the Middle East to students who have the potential to become leaders.

Eligible students include men and women who represent the region’s cultural, religious, and geographic diversity and are from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, who could otherwise gain admission to, but would be unable to afford, four years of college. Tomorrow's Leaders scholarship recipients should be prepared to begin the program in the Fall 2015 term.

The primary objective of MEPI's Tomorrow's Leaders scholarship program is to build a cadre of university-age leaders who are civic-minded, intellectually able, and professionally skilled, who will become the community, business, and national leaders of the future. The program intends to nurture leadership skills and the spirit of civic engagement and volunteerism among outstanding university-age students at the American University of Beirut, the American University in Cairo, and the Lebanese American University. Selected students will join the 225 Tomorrow’s Leaders already studying at these universities.

Syrian scholarship recipients may pursue an undergraduate degree in a selected field at one of the three host institutions. All Syrian applicants will be required to write a short essay, which will be reviewed by the Middle East Partnership Initiative, explaining how the applicant plans to use his/her degree to work towards the development of a democratic society in Syria. Preferred courses of study include: Political Science, International Affairs, Public Administration, Middle East Politics, or Journalism. Applicants electing to pursue degrees in the following fields will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis: History, Political Economy, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Communication and Media Arts, Communication Arts, Economics, Philosophy, Management of Information and Communication Technology. Some fields are not offered at all three host institutions.

In addition to their studies, recipients will be expected to engage in community service activities and participate in internships. Limited English- language training will be provided for some participants.

Participation in the program includes; travel, academic fees for four years of university at AUB, AUC, or LAU, a study abroad experience in the U.S., accident and sickness insurance, housing, and a monthly allowance during the school year.

Eligibility:

Current high school senior or applicant who graduated from high school in 2013 or 2014; A citizen or national of Syria, including refugees living outside of Syria; Strong academic credentials; Proficiency in written and spoken English with a minimum Institutional TOEFL (ITP) score of 425 (or equivalent on a similar test) that is less than two years old; Maturity, flexibility and leadership potential; Demonstrated desire to work towards the development of a democratic society in Syria; Ability to start the program in August/September of 2015.

Note: American citizens or holders of green cards are not eligible

If you do not have a TOEFL score, or if your score is more than two years old, contact AMIDEAST for test scheduling

Deadline for submitting the application is December 1, 2014.

Further information is available online atwww.amideast.org/tl.

For questions, please contact AMIDEAST at:

Email: [email protected]; Tel: +961-1-989901ext 162

For more information about the Middle East Partnership Initiative, please go to: www.mepi.state.gov.