Program Overview

FULBRIGHT EGYPTIAN STUDENT PROGRAM – ISLAMIC STUDIES

The program provides fully funded grants for graduates of Islamic Studies from relevant faculties at Al-Azhar University or the faculties of Dar Al-Ulum to pursue graduate studies in Islamic Studies in the U.S.

Grant Types

• Master's Degree: for individuals wishing to pursue a master's degree in the U.S. for up to 2 years
• Ph.D. Degree: for individuals wishing to pursue a Ph.D. degree in the U.S.
• Visiting Student Researcher: for individuals registered at Ph.D. programs at universities in Egypt to collect data and/or conduct research in the U.S. for 6 to 9 months

Eligibility Criteria

• Egyptian citizenship. U.S. citizens and green card holders and applicants are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must reside in Egypt starting from the application process and throughout the selection, placement, and pre-departure processes.
• For Master's degree applicants: Bachelor's degree, minimum grade of "Good."
• For Visiting Student Researcher applicants: Proof of registration in a Ph.D. program at a university in Egypt.
• Language requirements:
  • For Master's or Visiting Student Researcher grants:
    • TOEFL ITP – minimum required score of 450
    • TOEFL iBT – minimum required score of 45
    • Academic or General IELTS – minimum overall score of 5.0
    • Duolingo English Test – minimum required score of 75
    • English Proficiency Test from Egyptian Universities – minimum required score of 450
  • For Ph.D. grants applicants:
    • TOEFL ITP – minimum required score of 550
    • TOEFL iBT – minimum required score of 80
    • Academic or General IELTS – minimum overall score of 6.5
    • Duolingo English Test – minimum required score of 105
    • English Proficiency Test from Egyptian Universities – minimum required score of 550
• Applicants must successfully complete all the steps of the application, assessment, and selection process and successfully finalize all required procedures.
• Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• The following persons and their immediate family members (i.e., spouses and children) are ineligible to apply during and for a period ending one year following the termination of such employment: employees of the U.S. Department of State; local employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); employees at organizations implementing exchange programs for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the Department of State; as well as Board Members or staff of a Fulbright Commission or their families (up to fourth kin).

Note

Preference will be given to applicants without prior significant experience in the U.S. and/or overseas.

English Language Proficiency Score Reports

English language proficiency score reports may be submitted only from one of the following:

• TOEFL ITP: AMIDEAST (Cairo – Alexandria), Nile Academy (Mansoura), International Business Development Academy (IBDA), Skills Castle (Benha – Tanta), American Center for Continuing Education (Assiut)
• TOEFL iBT: Various governorates across Egypt
• Academic/General Training IELTS: British Council (Cairo – Alexandria), IDP Center (Cairo – Alexandria)
• Duolingo English Test: Online
• English Language Proficiency Test officially administered by an Egyptian national university: Various governorates across Egypt

Required Documents

• Online Application
• Copies of certificates and transcripts for all post-secondary degrees in English
• For Master's degrees or Visiting Student Researcher grants applicants: minimum valid TOEFL (ITP) score of 450; TOEFL iBT (45); IELTS (5.0); Duolingo (75); or an English Proficiency Test from Egyptian Universities (450)
• For Ph.D. degrees applicants: minimum valid TOEFL (ITP) score of 550; TOEFL iBT (80); IELTS (6.5); Duolingo (105); or an English Proficiency Test from Egyptian Universities (550)
• For Visiting Student Researcher applicants: Proof of registration in a Ph.D. program at a university in Egypt
• Three recommendation letters
• Scanned copy of the original valid national ID
• Personal photo
• Scanned copies of any previous U.S. J1 or J2 visas (if applicable)

Important

The Fulbright Egyptian Student Program seeks applicants that have developed a sense of personal integrity and are original thinkers. Copying someone else's writing, whether from the Internet, from a book, or from a friend, is considered plagiarism. Any quoted words or sentences should include a citation. An applicant who is found to have plagiarized in any form (including unintentional or accidental plagiarism) in his or her application will be disqualified.

Grant Benefits

• Travel allowance
• Stipend
• Health benefits coverage
• University tuition
• Other allowances

AY Program Timeline

• February 1, 2022: Program Announcement
• June 7, 2022: Deadline for submitting online applications with all supporting documents
• July – August 2022: Application Review
• September/October 2022: Personal Interviews (only for shortlisted applicants)
• October/November 2022: Official Nomination/Regret Letters (applicants will be notified via email)
• Post Nomination Orientation: (only for Semi-Finalist and Alternate candidates)
• November 2022 – January 2023: TOEFL iBT and GRE/GMAT testing (only for Semi-Finalist and Alternate candidates)
• University Placement Process: (only for Semi-Finalist and Alternate candidates)
• April – May 2023: University Selection Process (only for Semi-Finalists)
• May/June 2023: Pre-Departure Orientation (only for Semi-Finalists)
• July – September 2023: Departure Date (only for selected applicants who successfully completed all above stages and all program pre-departure requirements)