About Our Scholarship Program

The Daughters for Life Foundation is committed to building a future in the Middle East, defined by women’s empowerment across the region. We fundamentally believe in the transformative power of education and that it is the key to transcending hardship, allowing every woman to achieve her dreams by tapping into her unique potential. Women have always been agents of change and community building, and with the chance to study, they are able to become industry leaders, innovators and invaluable professionals who help brighten the horizons of their communities.

For over a decade, we’ve offered a scholarship program with the goal of meaningfully investing in the post-secondary education of Middle Eastern women.

Our fully-funded scholarships are open to every level of post-secondary study, including undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate studies. In line with our core value of recognizing the importance of individuality, DFL does not impose program choice restrictions on applicants, but some of our academic partners are limited in their program offerings from year to year. The scope of our scholarships is broad and includes expense coverage of tuition, residence, food and air travel.

This program has uplifted countless young women, and we’re proud to continuously celebrate the many inspiring achievements of DFL graduates who go on to make an impact in their professional lives.

DFL has joined with renowned academic institutions across North America, Europe and the Middle East who collaborate to deliver this prestigious program. We plan on advancing the effort to broaden our reach, opening more doors for future scholars.

The list of academic partners participating in the scholarship program changes annually. Be sure to check on our active partners for the year before applying.

This program is open to female students from the Middle East, regardless of their religious, ethnic or cultural background. Students must demonstrate a record of academic excellence, must be in financial need, and must convey their experience with overcoming personal adversity. These are the core traits that we look for during our rigorous selection process.

Please review our full eligibility criteria in the program details below for detailed information.

How to Apply

The application process for the DFL Scholarship Program consists of two steps:

STEP ONE: Apply to the DFL Scholarship Program

  • Before applying, please review the DFL eligibility criteria under “DFL Criteria” below to ensure you meet all requirements.
  • If you are eligible, check the list of academic partners and available programs under “Academic Partner Application” to find institutions and programs of interest for this year.
  • Once you have confirmed your eligibility and interest, proceed with the DFL application, following the instructions under “DFL Application” below.
  • DFL application deadline is January 20, 2025.

For further assistance, please contact apply@daughtersforlife.com with any inquiries about the application process.

STEP TWO. Apply to Our Academic Partners

  • Each academic partner has unique admission requirements, required documents, deadlines, and application processes. Be sure to carefully review the specific requirements for the program(s) you are interested in.
  • We encourage you to research and apply to multiple programs and academic partners, if applicable, as early as possible.
  • Important Deadline: Academic partner application deadlines may differ from the DFL’s application deadline. Regardless of each institution’s deadline, to be considered for the scholarship, you must apply to both the DFL Scholarship Program and at least one academic institution by January 20, 2025 and received an application number or ID.

To be eligible for a scholarship with DFL, you must meet a certain set of criteria.

You are eligible to apply for the DFL Scholarship Program if all of the below applies to you:

  • You must be a female student.
  • You must be a resident and citizen of one of the Middle Eastern countries. Dual citizens or residents of countries outside the Middle East are not eligible.
  • You must demonstrate financial and socio-economic need.
  • You must be committed to returning to your home country upon completion of your studies.

Note: Please click on the [+] expandable lists for more details on each section.

Additional required criteria:

  • Achieving success despite adversity and hardship.
  • Making a significant contribution to improving the lives of others, especially girls and women, through work, volunteering, or community involvement.
  • Demonstrating significant academic achievement, with a minimum grade of 75%.
  • Having a strong command of English that meets the academic institution’s requirements.
  • Receiving an offer of admission to a program from one or more of DFL’s Academic Partners listed below.

  • Compassion
  • Creativity
  • Perseverance
  • Change-making
  • Commitment to Giving Back

  • To make a positive impact in every community you become part of.
  • To return home after completing your studies and contribute to the betterment of your community.

Contact apply@daughtersforlife.com for further assistance.

The DFL Scholarship Program is available exclusively through our selected academic partners.

As an applicant, in addition to submitting your DFL application, you are REQUIRED to apply directly to the respective academic partner for your desired program. You must receive an offer of admission from the academic partner to be considered for the scholarship.

  • As per your preference, you may apply to multiple programs within each academic institution and/or to multiple academic institutions.
  • Please note that academic partners may only offer scholarship positions for a limited number of programs.

Be aware of any application fees associated with each academic partner. These fees are detailed on the respective institution’s website. DFL is not involved in the application process or fee structure of the academic partners and is unable to waive any fees unless specified by the partner.

Regardless of each institution’s deadline, to be considered for the scholarship, you must:

  • Apply to both the DFL Scholarship Program and at least one academic institution by January 20, 2025.
  • Receive an application number or ID from the academic partner.

Below, you will find a list of our academic partners for this year, along with essential details and links for application.

Scholarship Academic Partners 2025/2026

Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Scholarship Partners

  • University of the Fraser Valley, Canada
  • Ghent University, Belgium
  • KU Leuven, Belgium

Undergraduate Scholarship Partners

  • University of the Fraser Valley, Canada
  • York University, Canada
  • University of Antwerp, Belgium
  • University of Southern Maine, USA

Note: Please click on the [+] expandable lists for more details on each section.

Graduate Scholarships

Daughters for Life Foundation (DFL) in collaboration with The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), is offering scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a 2-year Post-Baccalaureate Diploma.

Applications are screened by both DFL and UFV and as a candidate, you will need to meet the selection criteria of both. 

Note about Post-Baccalaureate Diplomas: Post-Baccalaureate Diplomas are programs designed to provide a level of education that is above an undergraduate degree but is not equivalent to a master’s degree, for example. They provide a unique opportunity for students to advance their knowledge in their chosen field.

Important Information

Eligible Programs

The following programs are eligible for a DFL scholarship in 2025-2026:

English Proficiency Requirements

UFV has English Language proficiency requirements for international diploma applicants. 

For detailed information on UFV’s English Proficiency requirements, visit their English language requirements for international students for the degree/diploma level page on the university website.

Important Links

To Apply:

DFL and UFV’s Deadlines

  • Interested applicants are required to apply to both DFL and UFV before the DFL Scholarship Program application deadline of January 20 to be considered for the scholarship.
  • Applications received after the January 20  deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.

After Applying

  • After submitting your application, send an email to apply@daughtersforlife.com to request an application fee waiver.
  • The subject line of the email should be “DFL-UFV PB Application Fee Waiver.” 
  • Please include your name and program of interest in the body of the email.
  • If you do not send an email, you may be subject to the University of the Fraser Valley’s application fee.
  • Application fee waivers are provided at the discretion of UFV. DFL will work with UFV to determine the feasibility of waivers but does not guarantee waivers to applicants.

Daughters for Life Foundation (DFL) in collaboration with Ghent University, is offering scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree.

Applications are screened by both DFL and Ghent University and as a candidate, you will need to meet the selection criteria of both. 

Important Information

Programs

Ghent University is offering applicants free program selection within its English-language Master’s Programs. 

French or Dutch programs are not eligible for the DFL Scholarship

Important Links:

To Apply:

DFL and Ghent University’s Deadlines

  • Interested applicants are required to apply to both DFL and Ghent University before the DFL Scholarship Program application deadline of January 20 to be considered for the scholarship.
  • Applications received after the January 20  deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.

Daughters for Life Foundation (DFL) in collaboration with the historic KU Leuven is offering scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree.

KU Leuven is the oldest university in Belgium, with over 5 centuries of history, and is the largest university in the country with over 60,000 students.

Applications are screened by both DFL and KU Leuven. Applicants are required to meet the selection criteria of both organizations.

Important Information

Eligibility Criteria

In addition to DFL eligibility criteria, KU Leuven Scholarships are only available to Palestinian applicants from Gaza who have obtained their undergraduate degree from post-secondary institutions in Gaza. Applicants must also provide a letter of endorsement from an academic advisor or professor at their post-secondary institution.

Eligible Programs

Master’s programs taught in English that are 1-year or 2-years in length, as well as Advanced Master’s programs are eligible for DFL’s Scholarship Program. Carefully review the admission requirements for any Master’s program you are interested in applying for. Admission criteria may vary between programs.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider 2-year (120 ECTS) Master’s and Advanced Masters programs which will offer a broader academic experience.

Find the full list of programs below:

Ineligible Programs

All programs taught in French or Dutch are ineligible for DFL’s Scholarship.

Important Information

English Proficiency Requirements

All KU Leuven programs that are taught in English have language-proficiency requirements but may vary, between programs, in level of required proficiency. Please thoroughly review the English proficiency requirements for your program of interest, as specific programs may have higher proficiency expectations than others.

For more information on KU Leuven’s English proficiency requirements, visit their English Proficiency Tests Information page on the university website.

Important Links

Before Applying

  • Before submitting your application, send an email to apply@daughtersforlife.com to request an application fee waiver.
  • Waivers are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited in quantity.
  • The subject line of the email should be “DFL-KU Leuven Application Fee Waiver.”
  • Please include your name, and program of interest in the body of the email.
  • The first 30 applicants who submit their request before the cutoff period will be issued an official DFL Letter verifying their status as a DFL Applicant which they can submit to KU Leuven to claim their application fee waiver.
  • If you do not send an email, you may be subject to KU Leuven’s application fee during the application process.

 To Apply

  • Visit KU Leuven’s Application Page for detailed instructions on how to apply. Carefully review all instructions.
  • Letters of endorsement are to be sent directly to apply@daughtersforlife.com.
    • Applications submitted without letters of endorsement will not be considered for the DFL Scholarship.

Note on Supporting Documents

Applicants for KU Leuven’s Masters Programs are only required to provide 1 letter of reference. Your nomination from your professor or academic advisor fills the requirement for the second letter.

DFL and KU Leuven’s Deadlines

  • Although KU Leuven’s application deadlines vary by program, and your program of interest may have a specific deadline, interested applicants must still apply to both DFL and KU Leuven by the DFL Scholarship Program deadline of January 20 to be considered for the scholarship.
  • Applications received after the January 20  deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Daughters for Life Foundation (DFL) in collaboration with The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), is offering scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a 2-year Undergraduate Diploma.

UFV is located in the city of Abbotsford, B.C., Canada. Eligible candidates may pursue a post-secondary diploma among UFV’s eligible programs.

Applications are screened by both DFL and UFV and as a candidate, you will need to meet the selection criteria of both. 

Note on Undergraduate Diplomas: Undergraduate Diplomas are educational programs that provide advanced knowledge beyond high school but are not equivalent to a full undergraduate degree. They offer students a unique opportunity to deepen their expertise in their chosen field

Important Information

Eligible Programs

The following programs are eligible for a DFL scholarship in 2025-2026:

English Proficiency Requirements

UFV has English Language proficiency requirements for international undergraduate diploma applicants. 

For detailed information on UFV’s English Proficiency requirements, visit their English language requirements for international students for the degree/diploma level page on the university website.

Important Links

To Apply:

DFL and UFV’s Deadlines

  • Interested applicants are required to apply to both DFL and UFV before the DFL Scholarship Program application deadline of January 20 to be considered for the scholarship.
  • Applications received after the January 20  deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.

After Applying

  • After submitting your application, send an email to apply@daughtersforlife.com to request an application fee waiver.
  • The subject line of the email should be “DFL-UFV Diploma Application Fee Waiver.” 
  • Please include your name, and program of interest in the body of the email.
  • If you do not send an email, you may be subject to the University of the Fraser Valley’s application fee.

Daughters for Life Foundation (DFL) in collaboration with long-time partner York University, is offering scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor’s degree.

Applications are screened by both DFL and York University. Applicants are required to meet the selection criteria of both organizations. 

Important Information

Eligible Programs

All Bachelor’s programs are eligible for DFL’s Scholarship Program.

Find the full list of programs here: Undergraduate Programs

English Proficiency Requirements

York University has English Language proficiency requirements for international applicants. 

  • Applicants must meet the following requirements for testing and scores:
    • TOEFL iBT (York University’s TOEFL code is 0894)
      • Minimum  score: 88
    • IELTS International English Language Testing Service (Academic Module)
      • Minimum score: 6.5
    • Pearson PTE Academic
      • Minimum score: 60
    • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
      • Minimum score: 60
    • Cambridge English Language Assessment (CAE, CPE)
      • Minimum score: C1 Advanced
    • Duolingo
      • Minimum score: 120

Note on English Proficiency and Admission: 

Conditional offers of admission are possible for applicants who have yet to complete a language test at the time of applying, or whose results are pending release.

For detailed information on York University’s English Proficiency requirements, visit their Undergraduate Language Proficiency Requirements page on the university website.

Important Links:

To Apply:

DFL and York University’s Deadlines

  • Interested applicants are required to apply to both DFL and York University before the DFL Scholarship Program application deadline of January 20 to be considered for the scholarship.
  • Applications received after the January 20  deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.
After Applying:
  • After submitting your application, send an email to apply@daughtersforlife.com to finalize an application fee waiver.
  • The subject line of the email should be “DFL-YorkU Application Fee Waiver”
  • Please include your full name (the same as you used in the application), the name of the program(s) you’ve applied to, and your date of birth in the body of the email.
  • If you do not send an email, you may be subject to York University’s application fee.

Daughters for Life Foundation (DFL) in collaboration with the University of Antwerp, is offering scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor’s degree.

Applications are screened by both DFL and the University of Antwerp. Applicants are required to meet the selection criteria of both organizations.

Important Information

Programs

The Social-Economic Sciences Bachelor’s degree is eligible for a DFL scholarship in 2025-2026.

English Proficiency Requirements

The University of Antwerp has English Language proficiency requirements for international applicants.

  • Applicants must nominate the University of Antwerp as a valid recipient of their TOEFL and/or IELTS test scores to be considered for admission.

  • Applicants must meet the following requirements for testing and scores:

    • TOEFL iBT
      • Only the version written in the test centre is accepted.
      • Minimum  score: 80
    • IELTS Academic Test
      • Only the version written in the test centre is accepted.
      • Minimum overall score: 6.5
      • Minimum score in each part: 6.0
    • ITACE 
      • Minimum score: B2
    • Cambridge English: 
      • Minimum score: B2 and at least 176

For more information on the University of Antwerp’s English Proficiency requirements, visit their Admission Requirements page on the university website.

Important Links

To Apply:

DFL and the University of Antwerp’s Deadlines

  • Interested applicants are required to apply to both DFL and the University of Antwerp before the DFL Scholarship Program application deadline of January 20 to be considered for the scholarship.
  • Applications received after the January 20  deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.

Daughters for Life Foundation (DFL) in collaboration with the University of Southern Maine is offering scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor’s degree.

Located in Portland, Maine, USM offers over 50 undergraduate programs across a diverse range of disciplines and offers multiple campuses, including one in the historic town of Gorham. 

Applications are screened by both DFL and USM. Applicants are required to meet the selection criteria of both organizations. 

Through DFL’s partnership with USM, applicants are eligible for waived application fees. Thoroughly review the guidelines below for more information.

Important Information

Eligible Programs

All Bachelor’s programs are eligible for DFL’s Scholarship Program.

Find the full list of programs here: Undergraduate Programs

Important Information Before Applying

  • USM Nursing Applicants: Due to the high competition in USM’s nursing program, all applicants interested in applying are encouraged to select a second-choice program.

English Proficiency Requirements

The University of Southern Maine has English proficiency requirements for international students.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

  • You must submit your official secondary school transcripts, exam certificates, and any college-level transcripts including certified English translations.
  • Any college-level transcripts must be evaluated by an approved transcript analysis agency (NACES or AICE).

Important Links

To Apply

DFL and USM’s Deadlines

  • Interested applicants are required to apply to both DFL and USM before the DFL Scholarship Program application deadline of January 20 to be considered.
  • Applications received after the January 20  deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.

After Applying

  • After submitting your application, send an email to Senior Associate Director, PJ Singh (psingh@maine.edu) to request and confirm the waiver of the 50 USD application fee. 
  • The subject line of the email should be  “DFL App Fee Waiver”.” 
  • If you do not send an email, you will be subject to USM’s application fee.
Before starting the DFL application process, ensure that you meet the scholarship program’s criteria. It’s essential to have already reviewed the DFL academic partners and scholarships available for the current academic year. Carefully select your preferred academic partner and program, making sure you meet their specific requirements.

The DFL application deadline is January 20, 2025.

Next, proceed with the DFL application as follows:

  • Choose the Right Application Form: Select the appropriate application form that aligns with your intended level of study. Use the Undergraduate Application for Bachelor’s programs and the Graduate Application for Master’s programs or post-baccalaureate diploma.
  • Access the Application Form: Complete the application form by clicking the link below. Be sure to read and follow all instructions located at the top of the application form.

The application form will ask for the following documents:

  1. School/college/university transcripts
  2. CV (Curriculum Vitae)
  3. Proof of English/language proficiency test
  4. Financial Needs Analysis
  5. You are required to submit two reference letters (one academic reference and one community reference). Ask each of your referees to send their reference letter directly to apply@daughtersforlife.com. The subject of the email should be “Letter of Reference – [Applicant’s Name].

If you have any inquiries or require assistance during the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us at apply@daughtersforlife.com. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Please be aware that scholarship positions are limited. In cases where multiple applicants meet these criteria, the selection will be based on a combination of financial need, personal attributes, and academic merit.

Application Process Overview:

Step 1: Application Panel Review

November to January

  • Initial review of all applications for completeness and meeting minimum requirements.
  • If any issues are found with your application, you will be contacted.
  • Applicants are encouraged to contact DFL if they receive admission from any of the academic partners.

Step 2: First Interviews

February to March

  • Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be invited to a virtual interview.
  • You will be asked about your experiences and assessed for your readiness for post-secondary education in an international context.
  • Successful candidates will proceed to the shortlist for the scholarship, while unsuccessful applicants will be notified.

Step 3: Second Interviews

March to April

  • Shortlisted applicants from the first interview will be invited to a second interview.
  • This stage will involve more in-depth questions about becoming a DFL scholar.
  • A representative from your chosen academic institution may participate in this interview, and applicants’ parents will also be required to attend.

Step 4: Final Approval of Scholars

April to May

  • Applicants who perform well in the interviews will undergo a review by both the scholarship committee and partnering institutions.
  • All applicants reaching this stage will receive feedback, regardless of the outcome.

Start Your DFL Scholarship Application Here

Undergraduate Scholarship APPLY HERE
Graduate Scholarship APPLY HERE

Scholarship Academic Partners

2025/2026 Academic Partners

  • uantwerpen

Over the last 14 years, Daughters for Life has partnered with over 28 post-secondary institutions across North America, Europe and beyond. Here are some of our previous partners:

  • york

DFL Mentorship Program

The DFL Mentorship Program is designed for Scholarship applicants who seek guidance and support from DFL Scholars. If you are interested, kindly complete this Google form. Eligible participants will be connected with a DFL Scholar.

DFL Mentorship Program

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