MEPI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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General

Thank you for your interest in our programs. Due to budget constraints, we are unable to support all countries in the Middle East and North Africa.  Only those countries listed in the specific announcement are eligible.

  • DOS and USAID employees and their immediate family members (spouses and dependent children) are NOT eligible to apply to any of the MEPI exchange programs (Tomorrow’s Leaders Program, Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program, and Student Leaders Program).
  • If a State Department Officer or Locally Employed Staff and/or his or her immediate family members would like to apply to a DOS-funded MEPI exchange program, the applicant(s) may only do so after a period of one year after termination of DOS employment.

Current employees (and their immediate family members) of any private and public agencies under contract to DOS that perform administrative, implementation, and/or screening services on behalf of DOS for the exchange program (e.g. AMIDEAST, the American University of Beirut, and the Lebanese American University for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program; World Learning and sub-awardees for the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program; and Georgetown University and sub-awardees for the Student Leaders Program) are NOT eligible to apply to the program that the employee works on.

 


MEPI Tomorrow’s Leaders Program

 

 

 

Sponsored by the Department of State’s U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program offers undergraduate and graduate scholarships for accomplished students who represent the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s cultural, religious, and geographic diversity. The Program aims to serve students from socioeconomically underserved backgrounds who demonstrate strong leadership potential but lack the means to obtain an American-style education.

The Tomorrow’s Leaders program partners with prominent U.S.-accredited universities in the MENA region to build a diverse and dynamic network of future changemakers. Through the high-quality education provided by our partner institutions—the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, and the American University in Cairo—program participants are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills for leadership at local, national, and regional levels.

Tomorrow’s Leaders is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) with funding provided by the U.S. Government. FHI 360, a nonprofit human development organization, is the cooperating agency that administers the outreach and application processes on behalf of MEPI.

The Tomorrow’s Leaders Undergraduate Program application is now closed.

The Tomorrow’s Leaders Undergraduate Program application is now closed.

  • The American University of Beirut (AUB)
  • The American University in Cairo (AUC)
  • The Lebanese American University (LAU)
  • Tuition and enrollment fees (for a maximum period of four academic years)
  • University health insurance
  • Entrance visa and residency permit fees
  • Student housing (double occupancy)
  • Monthly living stipend when participating in TL activities
  • Textbook allowance
  • Laptop (for use for the duration of the program)
  • Two round-trip tickets to home country, territory, or place of residence per year
  • Civic leadership and career-oriented workshops
  • Internship opportunities
  • Faculty mentorship and guidance
  • An opportunity to study at a university in the United States (undergraduate students only)
  • An opportunity to participate in graduate assistantships or research assistantships (master’s students only)

Students can contact the Tomorrow’s Leader program via help@tomorrowsleadersprogram.org

You can follow Tomorrow’s Leaders across the following social media platforms to stay updated on the latest information.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TLMEPI

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tlmepi/

Twitter https://twitter.com/TLMEPI

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/tlmepi


2023-24 Student Leaders Program

The following frequently asked questions (FAQ) should help applicants gain a better understanding of the nature of the Student Leaders Program, eligibility requirements, application timeline and process, and general application questions and requirements.  

The Student Leaders Program is a rigorous leadership and civic engagement program for up to 60 competitively selected undergraduate and graduate students between the ages of 20 and 24 from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Students are placed in U.S. universities where they complete academic coursework, develop leadership and project management skills, and expand their understanding of civil society and participatory governance processes in the United States and MENA region. The cornerstone of the program is the development of Community Engagement Plans (CEP), where each student identifies an issue/opportunity that they would like to improve in their communities. During the program, students will have the opportunity to meet their American peers, engage in community service activities, and meet civil society organizations.

The Student Leaders Program is a yearlong three-part program: pre-summer, summer, and post-summer with the most intensive part taking place during the summer. The summer program is an intensive 4-week program, and is tentatively scheduled to take place from June 28 until July 26, 2023. The summer program will either be a virtual, hybrid, or in-person program depending on the state of the global pandemic. Upon completion of the summer program, students will implement their Community Engagement Plans and receive follow-on support, training, and professional networking opportunities, including joining the 2,000 strong MEPI Alumni network.  A competitive follow-on Accelerator Workshop may be held in the MENA region.

This is entirely dependent on the global COVID pandemic, which has proven to be unpredictable. Please know we are actively monitoring the situation and hope to have a better sense of the program modality no later than April 2023. As such, please only apply to the program if you are willing to commit to participate in the program regardless of whether it is a virtual, hybrid, or in-person program.

Expenses for the program are fully covered by the U.S. Department of State, MEPI.

  • Citizenship: Students from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen.
    • Applicants must hold citizenship from the aforementioned countries as well as reside in their home countries, with the exception of Syrian and Yemeni applicants.
    • Applicants who are American citizens or U.S. Legal Permanent Residents are not eligible to apply.
    • Applicants cannot be a third-country national of the nominating country with the exception of Syrian and Yemeni applicants.
  • Country of Residence: ALL applicants must live in their home country with the exception of Syrian and Yemeni applicants.
    • Syrian applicants living in any of the participating MENA countries are eligible to apply, whereas Syrian applicants living inside Syria are not eligible to apply.
    • Yemeni applicants both living inside Yemen and in any of the participating MENA countries are eligible to apply.
  • Return to Country of Residence: Applicants must be committed to returning to or remaining in their home country/community following completion of the program;
  • University Enrollment: Applicants must be currently attending an undergraduate or graduate university program in their home countries (with the exception of Syrian and Yemeni applicants living and studying in participating MENA countries). Applicants may also have recently graduated from an undergraduate program within 6 months or less from the program state date of June 26, 2023 or will commence graduate studies in the Fall 2023 academic semester in their home country. Applicants should not be commencing study in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in the USA during the Fall 2023 academic semester.
  • Academic Achievement: Applicants must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
  • Commitment to Leadership and Civic Engagement: Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to leadership and civic engagement in their communities.
  • Ages: Applicants must be between the ages of 20 and 24 with birth dates falling between July 26, 1998 and June 28, 2003.
  • English Proficiency: Applicants should have high English-language proficiency skills to participate in U.S. university academic classes in English.
  • Availability: Applicants must have ability to fully participate in the Student Leaders Program, particularly the intensive summer program that will tentatively take place from late June 2023 to the end of July 2023;
  • Flexibility and Participation: The program will either be a virtual, hybrid, or in-person program depending on the state of the global pandemic. Please only apply to the program if you are willing to commit to participating in the program regardless of its modality.
    • In-Person Program: In the case of an in-person program, applicant must be comfortable living with another program participant of the same sex in a shared dormitory room as well as travel to the USA and participate in the program without any accompanying friends or family members. Applicant must be comfortable and willing to adjust to campus life, sharing dormitory living accommodations with a multinational group of participants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and with U.S. citizens. Applicant will need to adjust to new cultural and social practices different from those of their home countries/communities.
    • Hybrid or Virtual Program: In the case of a fully virtual or hybrid program, applicant must be able to balance competing obligations of the intensive program with home circumstances of family, school, work, etc. Applicant will need to participate in all virtual sessions, exhibit time management skills, demonstrate a flexible and positive attitude to want to learn and engage with a multinational group of participants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and with U.S. citizens.
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: SLP is committed to attracting diverse applicants representing a myriad of social identities from nationalities, ethnicities, race, religions, gender identities, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities, and socioeconomic status, among others. We aim to create a diverse, inclusive, and multicultural environment with a gender-balanced pool of candidates.

It does not make you ineligible. You can still apply for MEPI-funded programs, although generally, we give priority to people who have never visited the United States before.

Only undergraduates and graduate students ages 20-24 at the time they participate in the program may apply. Applicants may be interested to learn about other MEPI-funded leadership programs. Individuals who would like to pursue their undergraduate or graduate studies may look into the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program. Individuals ages 28-35 may be eligible for a different program called the Leaders for Development Fellowship (LDF).

No, you cannot. Only applicants who were born between July 26, 1998 and June 28, 2003 may apply. You must be 20 to 24 years of age as of the program start date of June 28, 2023 and end date of July 26, 2023, with birth dates falling between July 26, 1998 and June 28, 2003. To calculate your age and ensure you fall within the eligible age range, please visit: myagecalculator.com.

Yes, you can apply. If a student graduates before the Student Leaders Program begins in late June 2023, they must not graduate more than 6 months before the Student Leaders Program begins. In other words, they must not graduate before January 2023 (unless they will be enrolled in a graduate program in the August/September Fall 2023 semester – see next question below).

Students must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program when they apply. If a student is accepted to a graduate program but has not started it yet and will start the graduate program the semester immediately following the Student Leaders program (in the Fall 2023 semester, starting August/September 2023), the student can apply.

Applications are due on December 19, 2022 at 23:59 GMT for the following countries; Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen. Applications for Israel and Lebanon will be due on January 3, 2023 at 23:59 GMT.

To apply, go to this website: https://studentleaders-apply.smapply.io/

For any application questions, please contact SLProgram@georgetown.edu. Please make sure to read this FAQs page in its entirety so that you are not asking a question that has already been answered.

The application process for the Student Leaders Program involves the partnership of U.S. Embassies and/or Consulates, the U.S. Department of State MEPI office, and the primary implementer Georgetown University.

Eligible students from across the Middle East and North Africa region are strongly encouraged to apply for the Student Leaders Program from October 19, 2022 until December 19, 2022. After students have submitted their applications, U.S. Embassies and/or Consulates will review applications and shortlist candidates for interviews in January 2023. U.S. Embassies and/or Consulates will then send their nominations to the U.S. Department of State, MEPI office in DC to review and make final selections for Accepted and Waitlisted candidates. All applicants will be informed of their status no later than April 2023. Georgetown University manages the application platform and responds to applicant questions received on the SLProgram@georgetown.edu address.

All applicants will learn the results of their application no later than April 2023 via email sent through the application platform. Applicants will either be: Accepted (Finalist), Waitlisted (Alternate), or Rejected. U.S. Embassies and Consulates may also notify shortlisted candidates if they are selected or waitlisted.

During the application process, some applicants will be invited by their U.S. Embassy or Consulate to do interviews in January 2023. Due to the volume of applications, U.S. Embassies and Consulates will only reach out to shortlisted candidates for interviews. Being selected for an interview does NOT mean that a candidate is then automatically selected as a Finalist or Alternate for the program. If you have not been shortlisted for an interview in January/February 2023, then you likely did not make it to the final stage of the review.

Accepted (Finalists) and Waitlisted (Alternates) candidates will be notified of the program modality when they are notified of their selection in April 2023.

Yes! We ask these questions not to penalize you but rather, to get a better sense of your situation and what technology/internet assistance you might need in order to successfully participate in the program.

Yes, you can apply and upload a copy of your government-issued national identification card if you do not have a passport. If you do not have a passport OR if your passport has expired, please provide a copy of your national ID instead. In the meantime, be sure to apply for your passport or passport renewal, because, if selected as a program participant and the program is either in-person or hybrid, you will need a passport valid for at least 6 months after the program end date.

A recommender should be someone other than a friend or family member, who knows you well and has observed your academic, professional, or volunteer work (ex. professor, supervisor, co-worker).

If you choose to “invite a recommender” an email will be sent to your recommender asking him/her to fill out a recommendation form and submit it on your behalf through the link provided.

Please use the required recommendation format that is provided. The answers can be hand-written or typed by the recommender.

Your recommendation letter should be submitted in English.

No, applicants are required to submit a recommendation letter.

You are not required to upload actual transcripts but are required to upload documentation (which could include transcripts) to demonstrate your academic results from your most recent year of university studies.

 

Yes, you can enter your scores as shown in your school transcripts or as shown in your other academic records. You can also use this calculator to convert your scores into a GPA: http://www.wes.org/students/igpacalc.asp

Your passport or identification card copy as well as academic records supporting your academic results from your most recent year of university studies do not need to be translated into English. However, other documents like your recommendation letter should be submitted in English.

Each applicant will receive an email notifying them of the result of their application through the Fluid Review online application database by the program implementer Georgetown University.

Students must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program when they apply. If a student is accepted to a Graduate program but has not started it yet and will start the Graduate program the semester immediately following the Student Leaders program (in the fall 2022 semester, starting August/September 2022), the student can apply.

We strongly encourage you to watch this SLP Application Video Tutorial. This video features all of the components of the application:

  • Eligibility Form – fill out and submit
  • Application Form – fill out and submit
  • Recommendation Form – upload or have recommender upload
  • Passport or Government Issued National ID (if you do not have a passport) – upload
  • CV or Resume – upload
  • Covid-19 Vaccination Card – upload
  • Academic results or letter certifying university enrollment – upload

If there is a question that was not answered in these FAQs, please email the Student Leaders Program at SLProgram@georgetown.edu. It will take 3-5 business days (Monday-Friday) to get back to your question.


2023 Leadership Development Fellowship

The LDF Fellowship is an intensive civic engagement and social entrepreneurship fellowship, and selected candidates are expected to fully participate in each stage of the LDF Fellowship. The LDF Fellowship will take place over 12 months and include 5 stages:

  1. Stage One: Fellowship begins with 10 days of in-person workshops and trainings with World Learning in partnership with Duke University focused on: studying the systems that contribute to societal challenges; building effective partnerships for social change; and developing inclusive and equitable interventions.
  2. Stage Two: Fellows refine interventions and complete exercises that provide local focus on systems analysis, inclusive interventions, building partnerships, and other acquired tools and knowledge from Stage One.
  3. Stage Three: Fellows spend 3 weeks in the United States as part of the English Track (for high-proficiency English speakers), or in Tunisia as part of the Arabic Track (for high-proficiency Arabic speakers), to gain academic and local insights into civic engagement and social entrepreneurship and to report and reflect on the findings of their Stage Two activities.
  4. Stage Four: Over 6 months, fellows apply the lessons of the LDF Fellowship and report on results to strengthen their ongoing civic and social entrepreneurial activities. During this stage, Fellows may apply for small grants or technical assistance.
  5. Stage Five: In the final month, the Fellows reconvene for a 3-day virtual event to learn and share the impact of their LDF experience.

Please note that 2023 LDF Fellowship’s participation decisions are expected by the end of June 2023, followed by the Fellowship Orientation Stage between June and August 2023. The 2023 LDF Fellowship’s five stages will take place over 12 months, starting from August 2023.

Participants from the following countries are eligible to apply to the English Track of the 2023 LDF Fellowship: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza, or Yemen.

Participants from the following countries are eligible to apply to the Arabic Track of the 2023 LDF Fellowship: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza, or Yemen.

For the English Track, which includes a visit to the U.S. as part of Stage Three, applicants must:

  • Eligible Countries: Be from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza, or Yemen.
  • English Fluency: Have strong written and oral English proficiency and be able to function comfortably in English-speaking academic and professional environments. All U.S.-based activities are conducted in English.

For the Arabic Track, which includes a visit to Tunisia as part of Stage Three, applicants must:

  • Eligible Countries: Be from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza, or Yemen.
  • Age: Applicants must be between 28 and 35 years of age.
  • Professional Experience: Applicants must have at least five years of professional work experience in a relevant field.
  • Civic Engagement and/or Social Entrepreneurship Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of five years of civic engagement and/or social entrepreneurship experience.
  • Academic Background: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree.
  • Arabic Fluency: Applicants in both tracks must be able to function comfortably in Arabic-speaking academic and professional environments.Almost all virtual activities are conducted in Arabic.
  • Full Participation: Applicants must be willing and able to participate fully in all five stages of the LDF Fellowship. Fellows will travel to a location to be determined for 10 days during Stage One and for 3 weeks to either the U.S. or Tunisia during Stage Three.
  • Application:Applicants must have the capacity and ability to immediately apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the LDF Fellowship.

During Stage One and Stage Three, participants must be comfortable travelling internationally, living with another participant of the same sex in a shared room, and participating in the LDF Fellowship without any accompanying family members unless required by law.

Applications for the 2023 LDF Fellowship will be available online from December 5, 2022, to January 16, 2023.

All applications will be submitted online. Please apply using this link: https://ldf.secure-platform.com/a.

The application process includes completing an online application; recording a short video statement; and submitting a resume, a professional reference form, a certificate of graduation, and a passport copy (if available).

Applicants are free to submit separate applications to the English and Arabic Tracks of the LDF Fellowship. However, applicants will only be offered a spot in one of the tracks. The candidate’s preference may be considered during the interview process. In rare cases, after considering selection and eligibility criteria, a finalist may be offered a spot in a track that they did not apply for.

Due to the volume of applications, we will only contact semi-finalists. Please note that 2023 LDF Fellowship’s participation decision are expected by the end of June 2023.

The list of eligible countries is subject to change. If you cannot find your country of citizenship in the 2023 LDF Fellowship’s eligibility requirements, please check back next year.

No, applicants are required to submit a professional reference form.

Applicants are not required to upload actual transcripts but are required to upload academic documentation (which could include transcripts) to demonstrate that they hold a bachelor’s degree. If an applicant holds a master’s degree, Ph.D., or another degree, they are required to upload documentation to demonstrate that they hold these degrees.

Your passport or identification card copy as well as academic records supporting your academic degrees DO NOT need to be translated into English and can be submitted in the original language they are printed in. However, all other application documents such as your professional reference form, essay questions, video statement, and other application materials should be submitted in English for the English Track application, and Arabic for the Arabic Track application.

The LDF Fellowship, funded by MEPI, will cover the cost of international travel, lodging, and travel insurance, and provide a modest living stipend to cover meals and incidentals during Stage One and Stage Three.

Yes, applicants can apply and upload a copy of their identification card if they do not have a passport. If applicants do not have a passport OR the passport has expired, they can provide a copy of the national ID instead. If an applicant is selected, they will need to have a passport valid for at least 6 months after the LDF Fellowship’s end date in order to participate.

Previous visits to the United States do not make you ineligible. You can still apply for the LDF Fellowship, although generally we give priority to people who have never visited the United States before.

Only applicants aged 28-35 years old at the time of the fellowship may apply for the LDF Fellowship. Younger individuals may be eligible for the Student Leaders Program. Please visit this website to read about the Student Leaders Program: https://mepi.state.gov/leadership/student-leaders-program/

Yes, applicants who applied in previous years and still meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the 2023 LDF Fellowship.

For additional questions, please contact ldf@worldlearning.org. To ensure your questions are answered before the application deadline, we recommend sending your questions promptly, no later than January 9, 2023.

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