Deadline: November 30, 2022.

Through academic opportunities, professional engagement, and leadership development, the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program (TJSP) fosters economic growth, stability, and democratic development in Tunisia by equipping a network of youth with essential skills to lead positive change in their professional fields and communities.

The Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Department of State and implemented by IREX.

They are now accepting applications for the 2023–2024 Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program (TJSP). The Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program provides opportunities for full-time, undergraduate, university/institute students from Tunisia to spend one academic year of non-degree study at a U.S. university or college. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Competition for the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program is merit-based and open to anyone who: 

• is a Tunisian citizen; 
• currently resides in Tunisia; 
• is enrolled as a full-time, undergraduate, university/institute student in good academic standing at the time of application at a registered academic institution in Tunisia; 
• is NOT in the final year of their undergraduate program at the time of application
  • Architecture students are eligible in their first, second, third, or fourth year of study.
  • Engineering students are eligible in their first or second year (preparatory classes), and third and fourth year of undergraduate study.
• is able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa; 
• is at least 18 years old by July 1, 2023;
• is committed to returning to Tunisia after completion of the program; 
• is able to achieve a TOEFL score of at least 500; and 
• completes the academic year prior to study in the United States in good standing with a passing average (a.k.a. moyenne générale).

Please note that you do not need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to apply for this program. Only semi-finalists are required to take the TOEFL, and testing will be provided for them free of charge.

BENEFITS

• Undergraduate study and skills building: Participants attend a year-long, academic program at four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Throughout the program, participants receive tailored support in developing and meeting professional, academic, and leadership goals and improving their soft skills.
• Community and cultural engagement: Students contribute a minimum of 20 hours of community service work during the program and engage in in-person and virtual cultural exchange opportunities between Tunisians and Americans.
• Internships: Fellows complete part-time internships in their field of study, gaining experience in the American workplace, strengthening workplace readiness skills, and developing relationships with local businesses, governments, and organizations.
• Alumni engagement: Alumni continue to develop their workforce skills, support innovation and entrepreneurship in Tunisia, and maintain networks forged through the program.

APPLICATION

The application must be completed online. Applicants must fill out all required sections of the application and provide contact information for two references. Reference 1 and reference 2 must be completed by two different individuals who can speak to your suitability as a potential scholarship recipient. References may be provided by professors, advisors, managers, mentors, etc.

Complete copies of all application materials must be received together in one package as per the application instructions by Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 5 p.m. Tunis time. Only complete applications, which include a complete application form with two reference forms, will be forwarded to the selection committee.

Download the full application instructions (PDF, 216 KB).  

OFFICIAL LINK