Egypt’s journey to self-reliance requires future leaders equipped to solve the nation’s most pressing development challenges. As part of USAID’s on-going commitment to empower young leaders, USAID Scholars will support 700 undergraduate scholarships for Egyptians from underserved communities. Approximately 50 percent of the scholars will be women and 10-15 percent will be students with disabilities. Students will attend one of five Egyptian public universities (Ain Shams, Mansoura, Cairo, Alexandria, and Assuit), the American University in Cairo, or the Zewail City of Science and Technology. Fields of study will include agriculture (e.g., biotechnology), commerce, economics, computer science, nursing, energy and water engineering among others. The first cohort of approximately 70 scholars will start university in the 2020-2021 academic year. This activity is conducted nationally in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Beyond scholarship support, USAID Scholars features a "whole student approach" that includes outreach to parents and caregivers, access to a student well-being program throughout the course of study, leadership and skills development, and entrepreneurship training. Approximately 65 percent of the scholars will have the opportunity to study in the U.S. for a semester or summer term.

Implementing Partner: The American University in Cairo; Life of Project: February 2020 – February 2030; Total Estimated Cost: $36 million; Governorates: Nationwide

• Support students from underserved communities to access fee-based credit hour programs at Egyptian public universities or to attend private universities in Egypt through full scholarships covering tuition and living expenses
• Facilitate semester and summer abroad opportunities at U.S. universities
• Offer training in leadership, communication, and other professional skills
• Provide entrepreneurship training that will engage scholars in technological innovation and guide them in developing early-stage ideas that can be implemented in the marketplace
• Place students in internships, provide career coaching, and offer job placement assistance

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Increase access for talented yet economically disadvantaged students to institutions of higher education in Egypt
• Encourage student innovations and scientific research applied to Egypt’s developmental challenges in specific areas like water, energy and agriculture
• Establish a national network of young leaders to address Egypt’s development challenges
• Prepare graduates for employment in the public and private sectors through professional skills development programs tailored to the needs of both industry and public service
• Provide opportunities for early-stage student innovators to move their proposals from idea to impact in the marketplace
• Increase English language proficiency among scholarship recipients, enabling them to perform confidently in English and to compete in the job market