Summer Scholar Award
PURPOSE
Qatar Foundation International (QFI) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 Summer Scholar Award. This one-time award aims to support current Arabic students in high school/secondary school who are looking for additional opportunities to strengthen their Arabic skills by attending a summer Arabic program. Strong applicants will demonstrate their passion for the Arabic language and Arab culture through their academic records, extracurricular activities, involvement in Arabic programming at their school, as well as in their application essay responses. While the awards celebrate high-achieving students, they are also meant to provide support to those students who have demonstrated passion for learning Arabic and an openness to learning about different cultures. We encourage all eligible students to apply!
FUNDING
Award Recipients will receive up to $5,000 to cover tuition costs for a summer Arabic language program. Final award amounts will depend on application strength and the student’s selected program costs.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
Applicants for the Summer Scholar Award are committed to expanding their Arabic skills. Students of all levels are eligible to apply if they meet the following conditions:
Students must be in high school/secondary school (US: 9th-12th grade, UK: Year 10-13, or equivalent) and currently studying Arabic in a public/state-funded secondary school program in the countries where QFI is currently operating (Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
Students may apply for any Arabic language summer program of their choosing, including programs that are in-person, online, domestic, or abroad. Students must make a strong case for the program that they select.
Summer Scholar Awards may NOT be used to attend programs that receive organizational support through the QFI School Break Arabic Program Grants because there is already dedicated funding available to participants. A list of past programs/organizations is available in FAQ 1. If students are interested in attending one of these programs, they should ask their program directly instead of applying for the Summer Scholar Award. If you have questions about eligibility for a particular program, please contact arabic@qfi.org.
If selected, funding is contingent upon proof of acceptance to a 2025 summer program. Documentation for this along with proof of cost will be required.
HOW TO APPLY
- Make a profile on the grant management portal: qfi.smapply.org. Student must complete the Eligibility Quiz to apply for the academic award.
- Complete the Summer Scholar Award application form. The form will require general information about the student, essay prompts for the student to complete, and uploads of supplementary documentation including school transcripts.
Submit application by 11:59pm ET Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
FAQs
1. Where can I find a summer program and which ones can I attend using this award?
Students must select a summer 2025 Arabic language program – it can be in person, online, hybrid, domestic, or abroad. QFI maintains a list of institutions that offer Arabic here, but this is not an exhaustive list. You can apply for funding for programs that are not included on the list. Programs on the list may change from year to year in application deadlines, requirements, etc. We ask students to use this resource as a starting point for their search, but they should visit the institutions’ websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Several US and UK-based summer programs receive grant support through the QFI School Break Arabic Program Grants. Students interested in accessing financial support for those specific programs should reach out directly to those programs instead of applying for the Summer Scholar Award since those organizations may have scholarships available. Some of our past partner programs have included: Caesar Rodney High School, Concordia Language Villages, Kamilah Programs, One World Now, Teens of Color Abroad, University of Illinois, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, and University of Wyoming.
2. I haven’t been accepted to my selected Arabic program yet. Can I apply for this award?
Yes, you can apply for the award even if you do not have a formal decision from the summer program that you are hoping to attend. Students must apply to attend the summer program using the institution’s application process, which is independent from QFI’s award selection process. Students selected for the Summer Scholar Award will have to provide documentation that they’ve been accepted by their chosen summer program along with tuition statement/invoice and other documentation as required. Students are responsible for being aware of program deadlines – both from the summer program and from the Summer Scholar Award to ensure they are able to meet the requirements.
3. How are award recipients selected?
We select award recipients based on the information provided in the application form, essay questions, and optional supplementary documentation. It is up to the applicant to demonstrate their passion for Arabic, showcase their strengths, and demonstrate a need for funding. We take each of these things into consideration, but the awards are merit based.
4. Are there language proficiency requirements?
Students learning Arabic as a world language or as a heritage language are welcome to apply as long as the student meets the eligibility requirements. There is no specific level of proficiency required to apply. We want to see that applicants are committed to continuing their study of the language.
5. Do I need a teacher recommendation?
No, we do not ask for recommendations. The review process focuses on the information you provide in your application.
6. I was awarded merit or need-based tuition support from the organization hosting the summer program (such as financial aid or a scholarship). Can I still accept the Summer Scholar Award?
It depends! Did the organization select you for full funding? If so, then you are no longer eligible for the award since your summer program fees are already being covered.
7. How can I make my application stand out?
We hope to support Arabic students who are dedicated to strengthening their language skills. Students can demonstrate that in their essay responses by sharing how they’ve been active in the Arabic programs offered at their schools and how their selected program will help them achieve their learning goals.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Students can reach out with any questions by emailing arabic@qfi.org.
2025 Summer Scholar Awards
Summer Scholar Award
PURPOSE
Qatar Foundation International (QFI) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 Summer Scholar Award. This one-time award aims to support current Arabic students in high school/secondary school who are looking for additional opportunities to strengthen their Arabic skills by attending a summer Arabic program. Strong applicants will demonstrate their passion for the Arabic language and Arab culture through their academic records, extracurricular activities, involvement in Arabic programming at their school, as well as in their application essay responses. While the awards celebrate high-achieving students, they are also meant to provide support to those students who have demonstrated passion for learning Arabic and an openness to learning about different cultures. We encourage all eligible students to apply!
FUNDING
Award Recipients will receive up to $5,000 to cover tuition costs for a summer Arabic language program. Final award amounts will depend on application strength and the student’s selected program costs.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
Applicants for the Summer Scholar Award are committed to expanding their Arabic skills. Students of all levels are eligible to apply if they meet the following conditions:
Students must be in high school/secondary school (US: 9th-12th grade, UK: Year 10-13, or equivalent) and currently studying Arabic in a public/state-funded secondary school program in the countries where QFI is currently operating (Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
Students may apply for any Arabic language summer program of their choosing, including programs that are in-person, online, domestic, or abroad. Students must make a strong case for the program that they select.
Summer Scholar Awards may NOT be used to attend programs that receive organizational support through the QFI School Break Arabic Program Grants because there is already dedicated funding available to participants. A list of past programs/organizations is available in FAQ 1. If students are interested in attending one of these programs, they should ask their program directly instead of applying for the Summer Scholar Award. If you have questions about eligibility for a particular program, please contact arabic@qfi.org.
If selected, funding is contingent upon proof of acceptance to a 2025 summer program. Documentation for this along with proof of cost will be required.
HOW TO APPLY
- Make a profile on the grant management portal: qfi.smapply.org. Student must complete the Eligibility Quiz to apply for the academic award.
- Complete the Summer Scholar Award application form. The form will require general information about the student, essay prompts for the student to complete, and uploads of supplementary documentation including school transcripts.
Submit application by 11:59pm ET Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
FAQs
1. Where can I find a summer program and which ones can I attend using this award?
Students must select a summer 2025 Arabic language program – it can be in person, online, hybrid, domestic, or abroad. QFI maintains a list of institutions that offer Arabic here, but this is not an exhaustive list. You can apply for funding for programs that are not included on the list. Programs on the list may change from year to year in application deadlines, requirements, etc. We ask students to use this resource as a starting point for their search, but they should visit the institutions’ websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Several US and UK-based summer programs receive grant support through the QFI School Break Arabic Program Grants. Students interested in accessing financial support for those specific programs should reach out directly to those programs instead of applying for the Summer Scholar Award since those organizations may have scholarships available. Some of our past partner programs have included: Caesar Rodney High School, Concordia Language Villages, Kamilah Programs, One World Now, Teens of Color Abroad, University of Illinois, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, and University of Wyoming.
2. I haven’t been accepted to my selected Arabic program yet. Can I apply for this award?
Yes, you can apply for the award even if you do not have a formal decision from the summer program that you are hoping to attend. Students must apply to attend the summer program using the institution’s application process, which is independent from QFI’s award selection process. Students selected for the Summer Scholar Award will have to provide documentation that they’ve been accepted by their chosen summer program along with tuition statement/invoice and other documentation as required. Students are responsible for being aware of program deadlines – both from the summer program and from the Summer Scholar Award to ensure they are able to meet the requirements.
3. How are award recipients selected?
We select award recipients based on the information provided in the application form, essay questions, and optional supplementary documentation. It is up to the applicant to demonstrate their passion for Arabic, showcase their strengths, and demonstrate a need for funding. We take each of these things into consideration, but the awards are merit based.
4. Are there language proficiency requirements?
Students learning Arabic as a world language or as a heritage language are welcome to apply as long as the student meets the eligibility requirements. There is no specific level of proficiency required to apply. We want to see that applicants are committed to continuing their study of the language.
5. Do I need a teacher recommendation?
No, we do not ask for recommendations. The review process focuses on the information you provide in your application.
6. I was awarded merit or need-based tuition support from the organization hosting the summer program (such as financial aid or a scholarship). Can I still accept the Summer Scholar Award?
It depends! Did the organization select you for full funding? If so, then you are no longer eligible for the award since your summer program fees are already being covered.
7. How can I make my application stand out?
We hope to support Arabic students who are dedicated to strengthening their language skills. Students can demonstrate that in their essay responses by sharing how they’ve been active in the Arabic programs offered at their schools and how their selected program will help them achieve their learning goals.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Students can reach out with any questions by emailing arabic@qfi.org.