Tomorrow’s Leaders Program 2027–2028: Undergraduate Scholarships for Students from the Middle East and North Africa
Overview
The Tomorrow’s Leaders Program is a scholarship and leadership development initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative. It is designed to support talented and highly motivated undergraduate students from selected countries and territories in the Middle East and North Africa. Through partnerships with the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University, the programme provides access to American-style higher education alongside leadership training, network building, and professional development. Participants are prepared for future leadership roles at local, national, and regional levels, and upon graduation they join an alumni network of more than 1,900 former participants working across the region.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants must originate from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, or be West Bank or Palestinian students currently residing in a third country with legal residency status. Meeting this country-of-origin requirement does not automatically guarantee eligibility, as additional academic, residency, and other conditions apply. Applicants do not need to submit TOEFL or IELTS results to start their applications, but they must complete a free online English assessment provided by Arizona State University as part of the process. Shortlisted finalists are contacted in January 2027 to take the TOEFL or IELTS to confirm English proficiency, with testing costs covered by the programme. Applicants who already hold TOEFL or IELTS results less than two years old may submit them when applying before November 18, 2026.
What you get
Successful participants receive undergraduate scholarship support combined with leadership training, enabling them to pursue higher education at the American University of Beirut or the Lebanese American University. The exact financial coverage and individual award amounts are not specified in the programme announcement. In addition to academic study and leadership development, participants gain access to opportunities to build professional networks and join a wider community of emerging leaders and alumni across the Middle East and North Africa.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted online through the official application system. Candidates should begin by visiting the official website to review eligibility criteria, confirm their country of origin and personal circumstances meet the requirements, and explore participating universities and available fields of study. After starting the online application through the portal, candidates must complete the required free online English assessment provided by Arizona State University and follow all instructions regarding academic records and supporting documents. Applicants must also monitor official communications for updates on shortlisting, interviews, and any additional requirements.
Key dates
Applications open in October 2026. Applicants who wish to submit existing TOEFL or IELTS results must do so when applying before November 18, 2026. Shortlisted finalists are contacted in January 2027 to complete the TOEFL or IELTS testing, and the required test results must be submitted by March 8, 2027. The specific application deadline was not specified in the announcement.