The US Department of State's U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) funds full undergraduate degrees at the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University for outstanding MENA-region students who cannot otherwise afford a college education. The award covers everything — tuition, housing, insurance, a laptop, a monthly stipend, two annual trips home — and includes a semester of study in the United States plus internships and leadership programming. Applications for the 2027/28 cycle open on 1 October 2026 and close on 18 November 2026.
Why it is notable: one of the few US-government-funded full undergraduate rides in the region; recruitment runs through Amideast country offices, so many eligible applicants never find the online application window, which is only ~7 weeks long.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Full tuition and fees (billed to the Program for up to 4 years)
Health insurance
Student visa
Monthly stipend
Two round-trip tickets per year
A semester of study abroad in the United States
Internship and civic-engagement opportunities
Leadership and enrichment workshops
Condition: maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
High schoolfor Bachelor's
"This scholarship is offered for 4-year undergraduate degree programmes at AUB and LAU."
Who can apply
citizens of Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and the West Bank (per the official recruitment page); high school graduates or students in their final year; no US citizenship or US legal permanent residency
Experience
No experience required — leadership potential and civic engagement are assessed instead
Language Certificate
English proficiency assessed during selection (institutional TOEFL used historically to determine eligibility); shortlisted candidates complete an online English assessment and may be required to take TOEFL or IELTS (English assessment by 8 March 2027 for finalists)
Other Certificates
high school transcripts for grades 10 and 11
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
eligible — Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, West Bank. US citizens and US legal permanent residents are excluded…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Language
English proficiency assessed during selection; online English assessment in the application; TOEFL/IELTS by 8 March 2027 for finalists
02
Qualification
high school graduate or final-year student with strong academic credentials
03
Documents
online application, personal statement(s), transcripts for grades 10–11, two recommenders via the system
04
Nationality
Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, West Bank; no US citizenship or US permanent residency
05
Profile
from traditionally underserved communities, qualified but unable to afford a college education; leadership potential, maturity and flexibility
06
Fee
no application fee at any stage
Document checklist
01Completed online application
02Personal statement(s)
03High school transcripts (grades 10 and 11)
04Two recommenders' details (recommendations submitted online by the recommenders)
05Online English assessment (taken within the application)
06TOEFL/IELTS scores (shortlisted candidates only, by 8 March 2027)
Application fee
No fee — completely free
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Lebanese student visa, arranged with AUB/LAU admission support after selection — the programme covers visa costs
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
From 1 October 2026
open the online application on tomorrowsleadersprogram.org (recruitment is coordinated with Amideast country offices).
→
02
Complete the online application and the required
personal statement(s).
→
03
Upload high school transcripts for grades 10
and 11.
↓
06
Submit by 18 November 2026. Shortlisted candidates
complete further English testing (TOEFL/IELTS) by 8 March 2027 and final selection interviews.
←
05
Submit the names and details of two recommenders —
the system emails them directly for the recommendations.
←
04
Complete the online English assessment inside the
application.
↓
07
Completed online application
→
08
Personal statement(s)
→
09
High school transcripts (grades 10 and 11)
↓
10
Two recommenders' details (recommendations submitted online by
the recommenders)
Application milestones
18 Nov 2026
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official American University of Beirut and Lebanese… platform.
What does the Tomorrow's Leaders Program cover? A: Tuition and fees (up to 4 years), health insurance, housing, visa, a laptop, a monthly stipend, two round-trip tickets per year, internships and a seWho can apply? A: High school graduates or final-year students from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and the West Bank; US citizens and US permanent residenWhat is the application deadline for the 2027/28 cycle? A: 18 November 2026 — applications open 1 October 2026.What is required in the application? A: The online application, personal statement(s), high school transcripts for grades 10 and 11, an online English assessment, and two recommenders contacted througIs there an English test requirement? A: An online English assessment is part of the application; selected candidates take TOEFL or IELTS with assessment completed by 8 March 2027.What GPA must I maintain? A: Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to keep the scholarship.Where will I study? A: At the American University of Beirut or the Lebanese American University in Lebanon, with one semester of study abroad in the United States.Who do I contact with questions? A: help@tomorrowsleadersprogram.org (programme team) or mepi@lau.edu.lb (LAU MEPI office).
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Lebanon · American University of Beirut and Lebanese…
