Higher education institutions drive Egypt’s human capital development, economic growth, and prosperity. If universities prepare students with the skills demanded by the private sector and conduct research that solves market and development challenges, then Egypt will have the highly-skilled workforce and innovation needed to drive its knowledge-based economy.
Over the past four decades, USAID has provided scholarships to more than 4,000 Egyptians to study at premier Egyptian and American universities in fields critical to Egypt’s sustained economic growth and development. USAID has served and empowered students with disabilities and promoted inclusion in higher education through the establishment of disability service centers at five public universities, with plans to open 15 more. USAID has also partnered with leading Egyptian public universities to modernize degree programs and strengthen applied research in priority sectors.
USAID has pioneered the concept of career guidance and counseling for public university scholars and graduates for the first time in Egypt. Facilitating student transitions from education to employment through deliberate engagement with the private sector will help a new generation of Egyptians parlay their academic studies into meaningful employment, cutting-edge research, and future leadership roles at Egypt’s leading companies.
CURRENT PROGRAMS
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE: Through the Centers of Excellence for Water and Energy, USAID and the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research are partnering to increase the capacity of higher education institutions to strengthen and modernize academic programs, create and nurture communities of practice, and generate action research that addresses challenges and drives innovation in the public and private sectors.
Implementing Partners: The American University in Cairo, Arizona State University; Lead Egyptian Universities: Alexandria University, Ain Shams University; Life of Project: February 2019 – November 2026 and November 2021 – November 2026; Total Estimated Cost: $52 million; Governorates: Nationwide
UNIVERSITY CENTERS FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT: The University Centers for Career Development, established by USAID in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, offer career mentoring, employability skills, English language training, and connections to jobs to university students throughout Egypt. The program will establish 46 centers at 34 universities across the country, making their services accessible to all public university students.
Implementing Partner: American University in Cairo; Life of Project: September 2017 – September 2026; Total Estimated Cost: $63 million; Governorates: Nationwide
PARTNERSHIPS FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS: This program will strengthen the Egyptian higher education system to more effectively address Egypt’s development priorities. Through this program, USAID will provide direct support to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research through systems strengthening, capacity building, assessments and training. USAID will also work directly with public Egyptian universities and their administration, faculty, and staff to ensure students access market-relevant, inclusive, high-quality degree programs and support services resulting in smooth transitions to employment. Partnerships between U.S. and Egyptian universities and linkages with the private sector will support market-relevant education and promote student-centered work-based learning opportunities.
Implementing Partner: The American University in Cairo; Life of Project: April 2023 – April 2028; Total Estimated Cost: $85 million; Governorates: Nationwide.
USAID EGYPTIAN PIONEERS: USAID Egyptian Pioneers provides both undergraduate and graduate level scholarships to Egyptian and international universities. Similar to other USAID scholarship activities, USAID Egyptian Pioneers aims to accept beneficiaries from across all of Egypt’s governorates, with a focus on gender equity and those with disabilities. USAID will also provide training and scholarship opportunities to mid-career Egyptians, including those in key partner ministries, working in sectors vital to Egypt’s development, as well as undergraduate scholarships to young Egyptians from underserved and marginalized populations to obtain degrees and meaningful employment in the same sectors.
Implementing Partner: The American University in Cairo; Life of Project: October 2022 – October 2031; Total Estimated Cost: $86 million; Governorates: Nationwide.
USAID SCHOLARS: USAID Scholars will support 727 undergraduate scholarships for Egyptians from underserved communities to attend one of five public or four private universities in Egypt. USAID Scholars features a "whole student approach" that includes outreach to parents and caregivers, student well-being programs, leadership and skills development, and entrepreneurship training. To date, 435 scholars are enrolled in the Egyptian partner universities.
Implementing Partner: The American University in Cairo; Life of Project: February 2020 – February 2030; Total Estimated Cost: $53 million; Governorates: Nationwide
U.S.-EGYPT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY JOINT FUND: Two U.S.-Egypt Science and Technology Joint Fund activities promote collaboration between U.S. and Egyptian scientists to address development challenges and promote economic growth, particularly in applied research and technology commercialization in the fields of agriculture, water, energy and health. The funds sponsor high-impact scientific research, collaboration between American and Egyptian institutions, and innovative training for the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.
Implementing Partner: U.S. National Academy of Sciences; Life of Projects: November 2014 – June 2024 and November 2020 - September 2027; Total Estimated Cost: $32 million; Governorates: Nationwide
U.S.-EGYPT HIGHER EDUCATION INITIATIVE (HEI): HEI provides scholarships to talented men and women from underserved communities throughout Egypt to study at premier Egyptian and American universities in fields critical to Egypt’s sustained economic growth and development. It includes scholarships for Egyptian professionals to pursue career-related, postgraduate degree programs or professional training courses in the U.S. or at the American University in Cairo. At the undergraduate level, HEI includes scholarships to public and private universities in Egypt, training in English language and leadership skills, and opportunities to study abroad in the United States. Since 2010, more than 1,500 men and women, including students with disabilities, have received USAID-funded scholarships through HEI.
Implementing Partners: Institute of International Education, AMIDEAST, and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Life of Projects: May 2010 – September 2024; Total Estimated Cost: $143 million; Governorates: Nationwide
USAID-AUC MERIT AWARD: This program provides scholarships for up to 108 academically outstanding graduates of Egyptian public schools with high financial need to attend the American University in Cairo.
Implementing Partner: The American University in Cairo; Life of Project: March 2021 – February 2024; Total Estimated Cost: $10 million; Governorates: Nationwide
USAID/Jon Erb
