The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is pleased to announce the 2021 Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Religious Freedom and Pluralism. This is an intensive short-term academic program whose purpose is to provide undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.

The program will include students from Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq and Lebanon who are interested in the topic of Religious Freedom and Pluralism. SUSI will be hosted by Temple University, Philadelphia from June to August 2021; exact dates pending.

In 2021, two awards will be given:

• One award will recognize a researcher, or group of researchers, who has advanced understanding of food production, processing, distribution, consumption, safety and/or human nutrition, with a significant positive impact on society. Likely themes include: food science, the environmental impact of agriculture, crop or livestock genetics, agro-ecology, soil health, food animal health and production, pest management, supply chain management, food processing, food packaging, food safety, food consumption, human nutrition, food retail/marketing.
• The other award will recognize an individual, or group of individuals, who has contributed to improved nutritional health and/or food security, with a focus on strengthening disadvantaged communities. Likely themes include: food sovereignty, food production, food distribution/access, food insecurity, community development and governance, household nutrition, urban poverty, Aboriginal food security, non-traditional food systems, socioeconomic policy, empowerment of under-served communities, food and nutrition literacy.

Funding Information

They anticipate awarding grants with budgets across each of the following funding tiers -- $125,000 to 250,000; $250,001 to $375,000; and $375,001 to $500,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• This program is merit-based. To be considered, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
  • Lebanese citizens or holders of the Special Travel Document for Palestinian Refugees issued by the Lebanese authorities (U.S. citizens, dual-U.S. citizens, and U.S. permanent residents are ineligible to apply);
  • Undergraduates in the first, second, or third year of a full-time undergraduate program at a registered academic institution in Lebanon at the time of application and have at least one semester remaining in their university studies after the end of this program;
  • 18-25 years old; and
  • Fluent in English
• Qualified applicants must be able to demonstrate:
  • Interest in religious freedom and pluralism;
  • Commitment to returning to Lebanon to complete university studies;
  • Commitment to community and extracurricular activities;
  • Willingness to participate in all aspects of the program; and
  • Comfort with campus life, shared living accommodations, and cultural/social adaptability.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Beirut.