Program Overview
Fellowship Award Benefits
Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
Institute of International Education Support Services
Upcoming Information Sessions
Eligible Degree Programs at Harvard University
FAQ
Helpful Website Links
Ministry of Finance Press Releases

The "Egypt Fellowships Program" was established by the Arab Republic of Egypt in partnership with Harvard University, to provide exceptionally bright Egyptians the opportunity to advance their graduate studies in government, public health, education or architectural/urban development design. The fellowships provide students with the financial support to attend one of the following Harvard University graduate schools:  

• John F. Kennedy School of Government  
• Harvard School of Public Health
• Harvard Graduate School of Education  
• Harvard Graduate School of Design

Talented individuals who possess extraordinary academic credentials, outstanding leadership potential and demonstrated commitment to public service are strongly encouraged to apply for the opportunity to earn fellowships to Harvard University.

Important:  Please continue to visit this website, periodically, for important fellowship updates and information session dates.

Applicants who are successfully admitted to an approved graduate degree program may be awarded a fellowship. Fellowships are available for one and two year master’s degree programs.  The fellowship may cover full or partial tuition, fees, travel expenses, visa fees and a living stipend in the United States.  Demonstrated financial need is a factor in determining the fellowship award.

All applicants for the Egypt Fellowships Program must meet the following criteria:

1. Meet all Harvard University graduate program admissions requirements or be a current Harvard University graduate student in good standing, in a master’s degree program in one of the above schools

2. Must be a citizen of the Arab Republic of Egypt

3. Committed to return to Egypt after graduation for four years

4. Completed military service or received an exemption or postponement of service, prior to enrolling at designated school

5. Demonstrated academic and professional excellence in their chosen field of study

6. Work experience demonstrating a track record of performance, integrity and commitment

7. Committed to public service and the advancement of Egyptian society with a stated interest in working for the betterment of the people of Egypt after graduation.  For individuals employed in the private sector the following applies:

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is a not-for-profit organization that facilitates higher education and professional education programs around the world.  The IIE Regional Office in Cairo has been contracted by the Egyptian government to provide pre-admission support services for Harvard University graduate applicants.  Pre-admission support services are designed to facilitate the application process to Harvard University.  

How to apply:

For applicants seeking IIE’s pre-admission support services and to receive further information concerning this fellowship, please complete the IIE Support Services Application Form which is available at the following link.  Please complete the form on-line and click “Done” to submit the application to IIE.

For the Application Form, Click here

Candidates will be contacted for pre-admission support.  Please note that IIE services are offered independently of the Harvard University admissions process, and do not constitute a guarantee of admission to Harvard University.

You may also contact IIE via email: moffellowships@iie-egypt.org

If you (the applicant) do not require IIE pre-admission support services, please apply directly to Harvard University.

IIE academic specialists will assist applicants in preparing and submitting all required admission application materials such as essays, transcripts, application(s), letters of recommendation, CV, portfolios (if necessary) and standardized test scores.

Pre-Admission Support Services:

• Complete and thorough admissions and application guidance for the entire application process

• Individual admissions and application guidance consultations

• Group advising and information sessions

• Standardized test and test preparation information

Once an applicant has been officially admitted to an approved Harvard University graduate degree program, he/she will be asked to submit the fellowship application. 

Please check this website, periodically, for important updates and deadlines.

IIE Post-Admission Support Services:

Upon successful admission into a graduate degree program at Harvard University, IIE will provide post-admission logistical support for each student.  This may include:

• U.S. visa application support

• Pre-departure orientation session

• Guidance and assistance on travel arrangements

• United States-based IIE  advisor will support each student for the duration of the degree program (questions, concerns, problems)

Information sessions held at IIE office from 6-8 PM (Open invitation):

Harvard University offers a wide variety of graduate degrees, disciplines, concentrations and unique research opportunities.  Each university department has its own website with important information concerning admissions requirements and materials, degree programs, research fields and faculty biographies.  All prospective applicants are encouraged to visit Harvard University’s website (http://www.harvard.edu/). 

Master in Public Policy (MPP)

Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID)

Master in Public Administration (MPA2)

Mid-Career Master in Public Administration Edward S. Mason Program (MC/MPA)       

Master in Public Policy and Master in Business Administration  (MPP/MBA)

Master in Public Administration/International Development AND
    Master in Business Administration (MPA/ID – MBA)

Application Submission Deadlines:

• MPP, MPA/ID and MPA2 degrees:  January 8, 2010

• MC/MPA degree: December 4, 2009

• MPP/MBA joint degree: Two separate deadline dates

• MPA/ID – MBA joint degree: Two separate deadline dates

Required Application Materials: Harvard Kennedy School  

• Submit online application (available September 2009)
• $100 application fee

- Additional $250 application fee for MBA application

• Three recommendation letters
• Essays
• Standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL)
• Official Transcripts

For in-depth information concerning application deadlines, department admissions criteria, or specific curriculums, please visit: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Application Submission Deadlines:

• Priority application deadline: December 15, 2009

• Final application deadline: January 8, 2010 

Required Application Materials:

• Submit online application via http://www.sophas.org/ website
• Statement of purpose
• Application fee (varies)
• CV
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Standardized test scores (GRE, TOEFL)

Note: Some concentrations may have special testing requirements

Master of Science

• Department of Biostatistics
• Department of Epidemiology
• Department of Environmental Health
• Department of Global Health and Population
• Department of Health Policy and Management
• Department of Society, Human Development, and Health

Application Notice:  Application may be submitted starting September 1, 2009.

VERY IMPORTANT:  Some programs have varied application submission deadlines.  Some degree programs fill to capacity during priority deadline submission dates.  Students are encouraged to submit their application by
November 27, 2009.

Required Application Materials:

• Submit online application ( http://www.sophas.org/  )
• Resume/CV
• Statement of purpose and objectives
• All post-secondary transcripts
• Three recommendation letters
• Standardized test scores (GRE, TOEFL)
• Application fee (varies according to program)

For in-depth information concerning application deadlines, department admissions criteria, or specific curriculums, please visit: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ 

Master of Education Programs:

• Arts in Education
• Education Policy and Management
• Higher Education
• Human Development and Psychology
• International Education Policy
• Language and Literacy*
• Learning and Teaching*
• Mind, Brain, and Education
• Risk and Prevention
• School Leadership*
• Special Studies*
• Teacher Education Program*
• Technology, Innovation, and Education

Note:  Programs that are followed by an asterisk (*) have additional application requirements or instructions. Please visit the following website for detailed information: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/how_to_apply.html

Application Submission Deadline:  January 4, 2010

Required Application Materials:

• Submit online application (available September 2009)
• $85 application fee
• Statement of Purpose
• Three recommendation letters
• Resume/CV
• Standardized test scores (GRE, TOEFL)
• Official Transcripts
• International Transcript Request Form (required for international students)

For in-depth information concerning application deadlines, department admissions criteria, or specific curriculums, please visit: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/

Master in Architecture I (MArch I)

Master in Architecture II (MArch II)

Application Submission Deadline:  December 15, 2009

Portfolio Deadline: January 5, 2010

Required Application Materials:

• Submit online application (available September 2009)
• $80 application fee
• Essay
• Three recommendation letters
• Resume
• Standardized test scores (GRE, TOEFL)
• Official Transcripts
• Portfolio

Master in Landscape Architecture I (MLA I)

Master in Landscape Architecture II (MLA II)

Application Submission Deadline:  January 15, 2010

Portfolio Submission Deadline:  January 15, 2009

Required Application Materials:

• Submit online application (available September 2009)
• $80 application fee
• Essay
• Three recommendation letters
• Resume
• Standardized test scores (GRE, TOEFL)
• Official Transcripts
• Portfolio

Master of Urban Planning (MUP)

Master of Architecture in Urban Design (MAUD)

Master of Landscape Architecture in Urban Design (MLAUD)

Application Submission Deadline:  January 15, 2010

Portfolio Deadline:  January 15, 2010

Required Application Materials:

• Submit online application (available September 2009)
• $80 application fee
• Essay
• Three recommendation letters
• Resume
• Standardized test scores (GRE, TOEFL)
• Official Transcripts
• Portfolio

Master of Design Studies (MDesS)

Application Submission Deadline:  January 15, 2010

Portfolio Submission Deadline:  January 15, 2010

Required Application Materials:

• Submit online application (available September 2009)
• $80 application fee
• Essay
• Three recommendation letters
• Resume
• Standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL)
• Official Transcripts
• Portfolio

For in-depth information concerning application deadlines, department admissions criteria, or specific curriculums, please visit: http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/

1. Is there a minimum GRE/GMAT score for Harvard University?

Harvard University does not require a minimum score for the GRE or GMAT.

2. Is there a minimum GPA score?

Harvard University does not require a minimum GPA score.

3. Are there minimum TOEFL scores?

Yes, there are minimum TOEFL scores for each fellowship-approved School:

Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Internet-based test: 100
Computer-based test: 250
Paper-based test: 600

Harvard School of Public Health
Internet-based test: 94-95
Computer-based test: 240
Paper-based test: 587
IELTS: 7

Harvard Graduate School of Design
Internet-based test: 90
Computer-based test: 233
Paper-based test: 577

No IELTS accepted

Harvard Graduate School of Education
Internet-based test: 100
Computer-based test: 250
Paper-based test: 600 and 5 on TWE

The TOEFL test is required of all applicants whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree program was not conducted in English.

4. Can I bring my spouse/children with me while I study at Harvard University?

Please visit the following website for detailed information regarding spouse/children accompanying international graduate students:
http://www.hio.harvard.edu/spousespartnersandchildren/

5. Is there a specific Harvard University website for international students?

Yes, please visit: http://www.hio.harvard.edu/abouthio/

6. If I am admitted into Harvard University, am I guaranteed the fellowship?

No. Gaining admittance into Harvard University and being awarded a fellowship are two separate procedures. It is possible for an applicant to be admitted into Harvard University, but not awarded a fellowship.

7. What are the costs of the Institute of International Education’s support services?

IIE’s support services are paid through a contract with the Egyptian Ministry of Finance and are free to the candidates who are offered pre-admissions support.

8. How should I prepare for the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)?

The GRE and GMAT standardized tests are not simple tests that should be taken without proper preparation. Depending on the test taker’s ability, proper test preparation could range anywhere from two to six months of preparation. Some test takers may opt to study using study guide books, online preparation courses or in-person/on-site preparation courses. The cost of preparing for such tests can vary in cost. Specialized test preparation courses may cost more than purchasing study guide books, but there are a number of free test preparation guides online. (Please check www.gre.org and www.gmat.org or www.mba.com)
Also, free test preparation software is available at www.gre.org and www.gmat.org.

9. How much does it cost to take the GRE or the GMAT tests?

The GRE test is approximately US $180 and the GMAT test is approximately US $250. Other fees can be added for additional services, but may not be necessary.

10.  How do I pay the university application fee?

If you are submitting the admissions application form online, you will be required to pay for the application fee with a credit card (VISA, MasterCard, etc). It may be possible to obtain a limited credit card from your bank for the sole purpose of paying for the online application fee. Please check with your bank for further details.
If you wish to submit a paper admissions application, you would need to mail a bank check with the admissions application.
Harvard University application fees vary, so please check with the specific department to determine the actual application fee. Normally, the application fees range from US $75 to US $120 per application.

11. What is public service?

“Public service” can be defined in numerous ways:

• A service that is performed for the benefit of the public or its institutions
• employment within the government system (especially in the civil service)

12. Do I have to work for the Egyptian government after I graduate from Harvard University?

No, you do not have to work for the Egyptian government. You may be offered a job by one of the ministries, but you are free to decline the job offer. However, you are still required to fulfill the “public service” commitment. This can be accomplished by advising or consulting on a government project while maintaining a private sector job.

13. Am I guaranteed IIE support services if I am applying for this fellowship?

Unfortunately, due to the volume of interested applicants, IIE is only able to provide specialized workshops to 50 applicants. Workshop selection will be based on academic achievements, standardized test scores, field of research and/or other mitigating factors that make an applicant competitive. The general information sessions offered by IIE are open to all interested candidates.

Harvard University: http://www.harvard.edu/
Official website of GMAT testing site: http://www.gmat.org/
Official website of GRE testing site: http://www.gre.org/
Official website of TOEFL test site:  http://www.ets.org/
Official website of IELTS test site:  http://www.ielts.org/

DRAFT PRESS RELEASE, 10.26.07

Harvard University and Arab Republic of Egypt announce fellowship program to advance public health, education, and government

Harvard University and the Arab Republic of Egypt announced today the creation of a new fellowship program to provide financial support to students from Egypt accepted to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard School of Public Health, or Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. This program has been established by an endowment of $10 million from the Arab Republic of Egypt to finance prestigious “Egypt Fellowships” designed to enable highly qualified members of the Egyptian public sector to study at Harvard.

“This historic contribution, the largest ever focused on Egypt received by Harvard, furthers the University's ability to attract and enroll extraordinary students regardless of their financial capacity,” said Harvard President Drew Faust. “We are particularly pleased that this gift supports graduate students pursuing careers in the critically important fields of education, public health, and government.”

Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali, the Egyptian Minister of Finance, traveled to Cambridge to join President Faust in signing the agreement establishing this endowed fellowship program. Dr. Ghali said, “It is not often that a Minister of Finance or other government official has an opportunity to do something that will have a positive impact for millennia to come. These endowed funds will forever ensure that students from Egypt may study at Harvard, providing generations of future Egyptian leaders with the opportunity to expand their knowledge about and exposure to fields of study that are vital to any society's success: education, health, and government.”

“This generous endowment will allow the Kennedy School to enhance its efforts to train future global leaders," said Kennedy School Dean David T. Ellwood. “The Egypt Fellowship program will stand along with our other prominent regional fellowship programs -- such as the McCloy Scholars Program for students from Germany and the Kokkalis Fellows Program for students from Southeastern and East-Central Europe.”

Harvard School of Public Health Dean Barry Bloom said, “We are enormously appreciative of the commitment by the government of Egypt to create a new level of leadership in public health and healthcare in their nation.”
“The strength of education lies in its ability to change lives and promote a just society. As the leadership in Egypt increases its efforts to promote public service careers in its country, the Harvard Graduate School of Education is honored to be a partner,” said Kathleen McCartney, Dean of the Graduate School of Education. “We look forward to welcoming new students from Egypt in the near future.”

The Harvard Graduate School of education prepares leaders in education and generates knowledge to improve student opportunity, achievement, and success. Our faculty, students, and alumni are studying and solving the most critical challenges facing education today by working at the nexus of practice, policy, and research.

An extensive outreach, communication, and recruiting effort will be undertaken by Harvard and the Egyptian government to build an applicant pool of highly qualified Egyptian students.