Overview

The U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative (HEI) is an investment in Egypt’s future that provides educational opportunities for high-achieving Egyptians to learn skills that will better meet the needs of a 21st century economy. In partnership with the Government of Egypt and the private sector, the U.S. Government is providing thousands of Egyptians with access to higher education opportunities in Egypt and the United States and facilitating strategic partnerships in key fields to strengthen Egypt’s economy.

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During this multi-year initiative, the U.S. Government will grant scholarships to over a thousand talented Egyptians – women and men from underserved communities in rural and urban areas – to Egyptian and American universities in fields that will help them reach their aspirations and contribute to Egypt’s economic prosperity. The scholarship components that will still be open for application in 2016 are:

  1. HEI Local Scholarships for Public Universities: This activity provides 387 scholarships to Egyptian public school graduates to pursue programs in public universities. As part of this program, students will have dedicated career counselors provide advice and support to enable them to achieve excellence in their programs; English language training to increase their proficiency; and opportunities to broaden and apply their learning through internships, business/entrepreneurship experiences, and U.S. study programs. For more information check: www.amideast.org/hei
  2. HEI Local Scholarships for Private Universities: This project provides 195 scholarships to Egyptian public school graduates to pursue programs in Egyptian private universities. These scholarships will also provide academic skill building, counseling and support to enable them to achieve excellence in their programs; English language training to increase their proficiency; and opportunities to broaden and apply their learning through internships, business/entrepreneurship experiences, and U.S. study programs. For more information check: iie.org/en/Programs/HEI-Private-University-Scholarships-Program
  3. Fulbright Scholarships: Under the auspices of HEI, Fulbright scholarships will be granted to 80 Egyptians for master’s degree programs in the U.S. in fields of study critical to the economic development of Egypt. These scholarships will be targeted toward high achieving, economically disadvantaged students from across Egypt, and will help them acquire leadership and employment skills, English language training, and a first-hand understanding of American society. Scholars will return to Egypt to join the public and private sectors, equipped to take on leadership roles and engage in civic participation in their communities. For more information check: www.fulbright-egypt.org

Other components of the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative include:

HEI Partnership Program: A component of HEI, this partnership program develops the long-term institutional capacity of Egyptian universities and technical colleges to generate the human capital needed to sustain economic growth and competitiveness. Through faculty exchanges and joint research, a coalition of Egyptian and U.S. universities and private sector partners will transform faculties within Egyptian higher education institutions to reflect the knowledge and skills required of a modern economy; build a critical mass of individuals and institutions able to address strategic challenges vital to Egypt’s sustainable development and economic prosperity; and strengthen the global competitiveness of the Egyptian private sector.

HEI STEM and MBA Scholarships for Women: Under the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative, this project provided scholarships to talented, high-achieving Egyptian women to pursue MBAs and undergraduate degrees in STEM fields in the U.S, with the aim of creating a cadre of highly-trained women leaders in these fields. This component of the initiative is now closed for application.