The U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), a program of the Department of State, is inviting applications for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program for the 2025-2026 academic year. This initiative provides undergraduate scholarships and leadership training to students from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Since its launch in 2006, the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program has collaborated with American-style universities in the MENA region. These include the American University in Cairo (AUC), the American University of Beirut (AUB), and the Lebanese American University (LAU). The goal is to create a network of future leaders equipped with skills for local, national, and regional roles.
Participants receive education at these partner institutions along with opportunities such as internships, community service projects, and leadership development workshops. The program also offers mentorship and personal development support. Students have a chance to study in the United States for one semester, which allows them to experience American culture and broaden their global perspective.
Upon completion of their studies, graduates join an alumni network of over 1,900 individuals who are active as leaders throughout the MENA region.
Applicants must be citizens or nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank/Gaza or Yemen. U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents are not eligible. Eligible candidates should be final-year high school students or those who graduated in 2025; however, applicants from Iraq, Libya, Syria, West Bank/Gaza and Yemen who graduated in 2024 may also apply.
Academic excellence is required; applicants must maintain strong grades after applying and pass exit exams if they are still finishing high school. Additional criteria include maturity, adaptability and leadership potential. Proficiency in English is necessary—a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 taken within two years before program start is required for university admission. Candidates must also show financial need by providing supporting documents.
Benefits covered by the scholarship include tuition fees and enrollment costs at partner universities; housing; monthly living stipend; visa and residency permit fees; health insurance; textbooks and laptop; two round-trip tickets home per year; as well as a study abroad semester in the United States.
Applications should be submitted online through www.TomorrowsLeadersProgram.org by November 25th at 5:00 pm Beirut Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Questions can be directed to Help@TomorrowsLeadersProgram.org.