Launched in 2015, the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative has provided more than 1,200 scholarships to talented men and women from underserved communities throughout Egypt to study at premier Egyptian and American universities in fields critical to Egypt’s sustained economic growth and development. The Initiative’s emerging cadre of young professionals is committed to Egypt’s long-term development goals and the nation’s self-reliance. It includes a suite of unique scholarship programs, outlined below, and is conducted nationally in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. 

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

More than 600 Egyptians have received full scholarships through the Local Scholarships for Public Universities activity to attend top universities in Egypt. Participating schools include Ain Shams University, Assiut University, Alexandria University, Cairo University, and Mansoura University. Scholarship recipients receive career counseling to ensure success in their fields of study as well as English language training, access to internships, community service projects, and the option to participate in study abroad programs in the United States. To date, 224 scholarship recipients have studied abroad, 576 participated in community service projects, and 267 completed internships. 

This program is dedicated to inclusive education. For example, 39 disabled scholars are currently pursuing studies in disciplines previously inaccessible to special needs students. The program is also establishing disability centers at the five partner universities to serve and empower students with disabilities in all university faculties. The disability centers establish and advocate for university-wide policies, procedures, and activities to ensure equal access to higher education for all Egyptians as specified in national equal opportunity legislation for students with disabilities. 

Implementing Partner: AMIDEAST; Life of Project: April 2015 – September 2024; Total Estimated Cost: $32 million; Governorates: Nationwide

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

Under the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative, 210 scholarships have been awarded to Egyptian public high school graduates to pursue undergraduate studies programs in three private universities in Egypt:  the American University in Cairo, the British University of Egypt, and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. Scholarship recipients receive career counseling to ensure success in their fields of study as well as English language training, access to internship opportunities, opportunities to participate in community service projects, and the option to participate in study abroad programs in the United States. The first cohort of scholars graduated in 2020. 

The Local Scholarships for Private Universities program also features a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) undergraduate scholarship component. In 2019 and 2020 a total of 62 Egyptian young women from underserved regions and populations graduated with STEM degrees from U.S. universities. 

Implementing Partner: Institute of International Education; Life of Project: April 2015 – November 2022; Total Estimated Cost: $25 million; Governorates: Nationwide

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TRANSFORMING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS 

The U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative also includes the Leadership Opportunities Transforming University Students scholarship program for outstanding Egyptian students with high financial need to study at private universities. Participating institutions include Ahram Canadian University; the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport; the British University in Egypt; Future University; and Pharos University in Alexandria. Scholarship recipients pursue studies in fields important to Egypt’s development such as nursing, engineering, computer science, dentistry, and mass communication. They receive career counseling to ensure success in their fields of study as well as English language training, access to internships, opportunities to participate in community service projects, and the option to participate in study abroad programs in the U.S. 

Through this activity, 250 students were awarded scholarships and, to date, 238 have graduated. Among those who have graduated, 72 percent are employed, 12 percent are serving in the military, and 14 percent are pursuing graduate degrees abroad. 

Implementing Partner: Institute of International Education; Life of Project: May 2010 – September 2020; Total Estimated Cost: $23.7 million; Governorates: Nationwide

GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PROFESSIONALS 

The Graduate Scholarships for Professionals program (GSP) is a dynamic government-to-government initiative for mid-career Egyptian professionals. GSP participants compete for scholarships to pursue career-related, post-graduate degree programs or professional training courses in the United States or at the American University in Cairo. Upon return to Egypt and the workforce, the professionals parlay their newly acquired training in leadership skills and academic research into workplace innovations and business practices. The program also supports the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research by introducing scholarships for women and people with disabilities as well as cross-cultural learning modules to promote socio-economic progress. To date, 156 professionals from the Government of Egypt have been awarded scholarships to attend graduate-level courses in the United States or at the American University in Cairo. 

Implementing Partner: Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Central Department of Missions; Life of Project: January 2017 – August 2023; Total Estimated Cost: $30 million; Governorates: Nationwide