Last week, we listed five promising opportunities for students who wanted to take their studies to the next level, but needed a little help. BarakaBits now dug a bit deeper into the chances available, and the results are dazzling: from Palestinian refugees to women future scientists, there is a broad spectrum of opportunities for cultural exchange in the Middle East.
1) MENA scholarships for short courses in the Netherlands
The MSP Scholarship Programme offers scholarships to professionals from 10 countries in MENA, which can be used for short courses in the Netherlands. While studies can be carried out in diverse fields –from Engineers to Economics and Arts, or Humanities–, the need for training must be demonstrated in the context of the organization for which the applicant works. Check the application requirements and deadline for 2015 here.
2) Undergraduate studies in the US for Palestinian students
AMIDEAST has a very wide range of partnerships to offer Palestinians financial aid: the American Palestinian Local University Scholarships (A-PLUS) gives full scholarships to promising high school graduates from Palestine for their bachelor degrees, as well as the Hope Fund, which provides 30 grants to Palestinian refugees living throughout the Mideast below the poverty line. Finally, the Abraham Lincoln Incentive Grants Program, provides direct assistance to students, including the often difficult preparatory period to get the grant.
3) A broad range of programs for Palestinians graduates
The Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation (HQSF) strives to provide access for higher education through partnerships, scholarships, and monetary endowments to underprivileged Palestinian youth. Their programs cater for graduate students or undergraduates, including opportunities in Lebanese, English, or Palestinian universities. To apply, visit the foundation’s website.
4) Fullbright grants to study in the US
The Fulbright Program not only targets students, but also teachers and researchers across the Middle East with no age limit, chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential. Grants cover a range of disciplines from humanities to arts, natural sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology. They have different programs based on the country, which are available on this map.
5) Merit-based scholarships for Egyptian students
The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program (OSSP) assists Egyptian students in undertaking a Master’s of Business Administration or Construction Management in the US. The grant covers tuition expenses, a living allowance, health insurance, and other benefits. Application details can be found here, or by e-mail at ossp@amideast.org.
6) Four-year grants to study in the Middle East
The Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship Program, launched by AMIDEAST and MEPI offers grants for high school seniors from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen to enroll on a four-year course of studies at select institutions of higher learning in the Middle East. Visit AMIDEAST’s website for more details.
7) University scholarships for Palestinians living in Lebanon
Through their Bridge program, the Unite Lebanon Youth project helps Palestinian university students financially through scholarships and stipends. More information on their website.
8) United World Colleges (UWC)
UWC is a very exciting project that counts with a network of 14 schools and colleges in a wide range of countries as varied as China, India, Norway, Germany Costa Rica, and Armenia. They have a scheme of bursaries and scholarships, which can be accessed either contacting each national committee, or applying to the university directly.
9) The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: EMEA
Female students in the fields of computer science, computer engineering, informatics or a related technical field can apply to this E 7.000 scholarship to attend any university in Europe, the Middle East or Africa, followed by an invitation to attend invited to attend a Google networking retreat. Check application requirements here.
10) Fellowships by The American Association of University Women (AAUW)
AAUW offers 50 one-year graduate or post-graduate fellowships for women who want to study in any accredited university in the USA. Interested applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, and must have applied to their proposed institution before submitting the application for the fellowship, which will award successful candidates $18,000. Applications can be submitted here.
