The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS) promotes educational access and opportunity while enhancing international diversity. Bringing together the best of AU—academic excellence, leadership development, and global engagement—AU Emerging Global Leader Scholars achieve, inspire, and serve with vision. They are dedicated to positive civic and social change to help address issues faced by under-resourced, underserved communities in their home country. 

Being a “leader” is not just standing out but standing out for the right reason. The EGLS empowers me to further cultivate that vision and the hopes and dreams I carry for the future in my nation as an international student, surrounded by like-minded peers. Coming from a nation blessed by beautiful, steadfast mountains, I carry their enduring will by representing my slice of the Himalaya, Nepal at AU. I aim to utilize and incorporate data and analytics into the emerging business environment of today and show how artificial intelligence can be used as a force for good in an ethical and sustainable way, values greatly cared for here at AU.

The EGLS has meant more to me than just access to education. As one of the first women in my family to study abroad, pursuing Physics at American University is both a personal milestone and a challenge to the traditional expectations around who gets to dream big. At AU, I am developing the technical skills and global perspective required to turn my curiosity into impact. Every day brings with it new lessons in how leadership can be grounded in empathy and courage. I carry with me the hopes of my family and community in Pakistan, but I also see myself as an ambassador for possibility. At AU, across borders, and ultimately back home, I hope to use what I learn here to expand opportunities for others.

The EGLS will allow me to become a student ‘ambassador’ on several levels. I will be an ambassador gratefully representing my family and teachers in Uzbekistan who supported my academic development. I will become an ambassador proudly representing AU in international business, technology, and the sciences during my studies; and I will return to my home country as an ambassador excitedly representing innovation and education to make a difference with what I’ve learned at AU.

AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship Details

The AU EGLS covers all billable AU expenses (full tuition, room, and board) for two international students who will need a non-immigrant visa (preferably an F-1 or J-1 student visa) to study in the United States. The scholarship does not cover non-billable expenses such as mandatory health insurance, books, airline tickets, taxes, and miscellaneous expenses, which students will need to pay out of pocket (approximately US $4,000 per year). 

The AU EGLS is renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate study, based on continued satisfactory academic performance. Students interested in all majors offered at AU are eligible to apply. 

New: AU EGL Partial Scholarships! We’re excited to share that in addition to the full AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship covering all billable expenses, AU will also offer additional AU EGL Partial Scholarships valued at up to US $40,000/per year. 

No additional application process is needed to be eligible for AU EGL Partial Scholarships. Partial scholarship candidates will be selected from talented applicants who complete the AU EGLS process successfully. If you are recommended for an AU EGL partial scholarship, you will need to submit proof of additional funds beyond the initial US$4,000 for the difference not covered by the AU EGLS Partial Scholarship.  

You are NOT eligible to apply if: 

• You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, U.S. pending permanent resident, or dual citizen of the U.S. and another country. 

• You are enrolled in or have already begun any post-secondary studies at another university in your home country or the United States. 

• You graduated secondary school earlier than 2024. 

IMPORTANT: The AU Emerging Global Leadership Scholarship application process involves two steps: 

• Step 1: Applicants who wish to be considered for our AU EGLS awards must first submit their Common application and all supporting documents before January 15, 2027. 

• Step 2: Submit the AU EGLS application and essays via your applicant portal by the required January 15, 2027 deadline. You must complete Step 1 before submitting the AU EGLS application. Late applications will not be considered. 

We recommend that AU EGLS applicants apply Regular Decision for Fall 2027, though some early applicants may be deferred for further consideration for the AU EGLS award. Finalists and award winners will be notified by April 1, 2027. 

Preference will be given to: 

1. International students who have overcome various obstacles and challenges as well as those from diverse and underrepresented global and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

2. A demonstrated commitment to leadership, volunteerism, community service, and to advancing the needs of people in their home country. 

3. Students who meet our English Proficiency requirements. 

4. Students who are still enrolled in secondary/high school and graduating by June 2027. 

AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship Instructions  

1. Complete and submit the Common Application with all required documents per the AU international instructions checklist before January 15, 2027. 

2. Create your applicant portal when invited to do so.  

3. Submit a bank letter and the completed and signed AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF), each confirming a minimum of US $4,000. These can be uploaded via your applicant portal. See examples of bank letters. 

4. Submit your official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test (DET), PTE, LanguageCERT, or Cambridge Assessment English Test score results before January 15, 2027. Please have official English proficiency score reports sent directly by the testing agency to American University. Students cannot submit their own results. 

5. If you are not selected as one of the finalists, you may still be considered for admission to American University, Washington, DC, and eligible for partial merit scholarships. 

Zoom interviews and/or additional essay submissions will be required for AU EGLS semi-finalists and finalists. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].