The Yousriya Loza-Sawiris Scholarship (YLSS)

Master’s of Development Practice

United States of America, University of Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

• University tuition
• Living expenses
• Health insurance
• Travel expenses

MDP Program Requirements

• Four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited US university or foreign equivalent.
• Previous coursework in mathematics, statistics, and economics is recommended.
• Completion of a 50-credit academic master’s program in two academic years.
• Completion of a 10-week summer field experience.
• English language proficiency is required. Valid TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

TOEFL iBT:

• Total Score: 79
• Writing Subscore: 21
• Reading Subscore: 19

IELTS:

• Total Score: 6.5
• Writing Subscore: 6.5
• Reading Subscore: 6.5

Duolingo:

• Overall Score: 115 or above
• Literacy Subscore: 115 or above

For more details on English language proficiency requirements, please visit: University of Minnesota Graduate School – English Language Proficiency

Eligibility Criteria for Scholarship Applicants:

• Egyptian nationals residing in Egypt (preference will not be given to dual nationality holders).
• Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a well-reputed academic institution in a related field of study.
• Satisfy the entry requirements into the academic MDP program.
• Demonstrate excellent professional and academic track record.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills (extracurricular activities/community work/entrepreneurial initiative).
• Demonstrate the inability to finance studies from own resources.
• While no specific experience or academic track is required, students with a strong liberal arts education background and sound quantitative and analytical skills will be best prepared for academic success at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
• Demonstrate a minimum of two years of work experience in the field of development.
• Employment in the development sector in Egypt following graduation for no less than two consecutive years.

Interested scholarship candidates must submit two separate applications to the Sawiris Foundation and to the Humphrey School by their respective deadlines.

1. Scholarship application to be submitted to Sawiris Foundation through the Link in the footer.
2. Academic application to be submitted to the Humphrey School. For information about the Humphrey application process, please click HERE.

Please note that selected scholars will receive guidance on submitting their application to the University of Minnesota.

• Completed application form including the personal statement.
• Copy of valid passport ID page.
• Copy of National ID.
• Updated resume.
• All undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcripts.
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Score.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• One personal photo.
• HR letter from current employer including salary/salary slip or a bank statement in case of unemployment.

For more information, please email: ylss@sawirisfoundation.org
or call: +201061455551

Scholarship Deadline:
Saturday, October 24, 2026

Personal Interviews with the shortlisted candidates:
Early November 2026

Announcing the selected scholars and filling out the university admission application:
Mid-November to mid-December  2026

Beginning of the academic year at Minnesota University:
Late August/early September of 2027