Deadline: 3 December 2019
The U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) has announced the Student Leaders Program 2020.
The Student Leaders Program is an intensive 5-week leadership training program to the United States, generally for undergraduate students between the ages of 20 and 24 with birth dates falling between July 29, 1996 and June 24, 2000. There will be approximately 60 participants from the Middle East and North Africa in the 2020 program. Program dates are from June 24 – July 29, 2020. The Student Leaders Program has operated continually since 2003.
Students are divided among U.S. academic institutions where they develop leadership skills and expand their understanding of civil society and participatory governance and how both may be applied in their home communities.
Upon completion of the U.S.-based program, participants are mentored by the program implementer to leverage their experiences through sponsored alumni activities designed to effect positive social change in their home countries approximately 6 months after the U.S. portion of the program. A competitive follow-on accelerator workshop may be held in the region upon completion of the U.S.-based program.
Eligibility Criteria
- Students from the following countries are eligible to apply: Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, and Tunisia.
- This program is open to university students between the ages of 20 and 24 (birth dates falling between July 29, 1996 and June 30, 2000). They seek a gender-balanced pool of candidates and give preference to traditionally under-served participants. While nominees may be undergraduate or graduate students in any field of academic specialization, it is critical that they exhibit a serious interest in pursuing leadership opportunities in their home countries and demonstrate a desire to deepen their civic engagement.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously traveled to the United States. Applicants should demonstrate sufficient English-language skills to participate in U.S. university-level classes and must be enrolled in and attending a university in their home countries. At the time of application and while participating in the program, participants cannot hold U.S. citizenship or be a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply online via given website.
Eligible Countries: Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, and Tunisia
For more information, please visit https://mepi.state.gov/education/student-leaders-program/