ACTS Scholarship at American University of Beirut 2026–2027

Applications for the ACTS Civil Engineering Scholarship’s 2026–2027 cycle closed on 20 December 2025, so incoming Fall 2026 students who applied through this window have already gone through selection. The good news for anyone who missed it: ACTS has run this scholarship consistently across multiple years, with records going back to at least 2022, and the deadline has fallen around 20 December each cycle — a genuine, established annual pattern rather than a one-off offer.

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ACTS is a well-established regional engineering services firm with decades of experience in materials testing, certification, and construction quality, and this scholarship reflects a real, ongoing investment in developing civil engineering talent, not a marketing exercise. This guide covers exactly who qualifies, what the full award covers, and what to prepare now for the 2027–2028 cycle.

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Understanding Why ACTS Runs This Specific Scholarship

Knowing what ACTS actually does explains why this scholarship is narrowly focused on civil engineering specifically, rather than funding a broader range of degrees. ACTS operates across materials testing, certification, inspection, engineering services, technical standards, and training, playing a genuine role in construction quality and infrastructure development across the Middle East.

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This scholarship is explicitly framed as an investment in the next generation of engineers who can carry forward exactly that work — resilient infrastructure, sustainable cities, and future-ready communities — which means a strong application should connect your interest in civil engineering to real, specific problems rather than describing the field in general terms.

Because AUB is one of the most respected universities in the region for engineering study, and because ACTS positions this scholarship as reflecting its own commitment to advancing the discipline, applicants who can articulate a genuine, specific interest in construction, infrastructure, or urban resilience tend to align more closely with what the scholarship is actually built to support.

ACTS Scholarship at American University of Beirut Summary

Eligibility Requirements

The American University of Beirut (AUB)—in partnership with the Advancing Civil Engineering Leaders (ACTS) scheme—offers competitive, merit-and-leadership-based undergraduate scholarships within the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA).

To qualify for consideration, candidates must satisfy the following detailed criteria across both administrative and personal domains:

• Degree Program & Intake Alignment:
  • Must be an applicant seeking first-time admission into the Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Civil Engineering program at AUB for the Fall entry term.
  • Exclusion: Transfer students from other majors/universities or applicants to other engineering disciplines (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Computer) are ineligible for this specific award.
• STEM Academic Merit & Quantitative Foundation:
  • Must demonstrate an exemplary academic record, with specific emphasis on high performance in Mathematics (Calculus, Algebra, Geometry) and Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry).
  • Evaluated via high school transcripts, predicted/final national baccalaureate results (e.g., Lebanese Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, A-Levels, IB), and standardized test scores (SAT/AUB Entrance Exams where applicable).
• Leadership & Engineering Passion:
  • Must show clear leadership qualities, initiative, and an articulable passion for civil infrastructure, structural design, or environmental sustainability.
  • Evaluated through extra-curricular achievements, engineering project participation, or personal essays—general academic excellence without demonstrated leadership drive is insufficient.
• Community Development & Social Impact Track Record:
  • Must provide verifiable evidence of active engagement in community service, civic initiatives, or social development projects aimed at improving local livelihoods or public infrastructure.

What Selected Scholars Actually Receive

• Full tuition coverage: 100% of educational expenses covered for the entire undergraduate programme, not a partial contribution
• World-class facilities access: direct use of AUB’s engineering laboratories and academic resources throughout your studies
• Mentorship and networking: connection to experienced industry experts, not just academic advisors
• Real-world exposure: participation in engineering conferences, workshops, and seminars, alongside exposure to innovative, applied projects in civil engineering
• Potential internship placements: with ACTS itself or its partner organisations, offering a genuine route from scholarship to real industry experience

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Required Documents

Applying for the ACTS Civil Engineering Scholarship at the American University of Beirut (AUB) requires submitting a dual dossier: one set for general admission to the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA) and a specialized portfolio for the scholarship committee.

All documents must be clear, high-resolution scans submitted in .pdf format through the respective application portals prior to the stated deadlines.

1. Official High School Transcripts / Examination Results:

• Scope: Certified transcripts covering your last three years of secondary education (Grades 10, 11, and 12).
• National Examinations: Certified results or predicted scores for official baccalaureate examinations (e.g., General Sciences or Life Sciences tracks for the Lebanese Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, IB Diploma, or GCE A-Levels).
• Focus Area: Selection officers closely review course-by-course performance in Advanced Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.

2. Personal Statement / Scholarship Essay:

• Format: 1–2 pages (500–800 words), single-spaced PDF.
• Core Content: Express your technical motivation for choosing Civil Engineering (e.g., sustainable urban infrastructure, structural integrity, water resources).
• Detail specific leadership roles you have held in school or extracurricular organizations.
• Articulate your long-term career goals and how receiving the ACTS scholarship will enable you to drive positive social and economic development in your region.

3. Proof of AUB Admissions Application / Admission Offer:

• Requirement: Official confirmation receipt showing your active, submitted undergraduate application to AUB for Civil Engineering (Fall intake), or a formal letter of admission from the AUB Admissions Office.

4. Academic and Character Reference Letters (At least 1-2 letters):

• Academic Referee: Written by a high school Mathematics, Physics, or Science teacher who can evaluate your quantitative problem-solving skills and academic rigor.
• Character / Leadership Referee: Written by a school principal, counselor, community leader, or NGO supervisor detailing your integrity, work ethic, and social contributions.
• Validation: Must be on official institutional letterhead, dated, signed, and include the referee’s official contact details.

5. Supporting Leadership, Innovation & Community Involvement Portfolio:

• Certificates of Service: Official documentation confirming hours and roles in voluntary community development initiatives, civic projects, or local NGOs.
• Honors & Awards: Certificates of achievement in regional or national science fairs, mathematics olympiads, robotics competitions, or STEM challenges.
• Extracurricular Evidence: Proof of leadership positions held (e.g., Student Council President, Club Founder, Team Captain).

How to Apply

1. Apply for admission to the American University of Beirut (AUB) for the Fall 2026–2027 intake.
2. Prepare all supporting documents, including your transcripts, personal statement, and references.
3. Visit the ACTS scholarship portal here.
4. Fill out the scholarship application form carefully and upload all required documents.
5. Submit your application before the deadline: December 20, 2025.
6. Wait for confirmation and further instructions from ACTS or AUB.

Getting Ready for the Next Cycle

Since this year’s window has closed, and given the scholarship’s established annual pattern, use the coming months to prepare both parts of the two-step application properly. Start your AUB admission application early, since the scholarship application depends on having an active or completed admission process alongside it, not as a separate, disconnected track.

Draft your personal statement with genuine specificity about civil engineering — infrastructure resilience, sustainable construction, or urban development are areas that align directly with ACTS’s own work, and connecting your interests to these themes tends to read more convincingly than a general engineering interest statement.

If you have questions about eligibility or the scholarship process specifically, ACTS has previously made direct contact available through its Research and Development team — check the current ACTS scholarship page for the latest contact details before the next cycle opens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ACTS Scholarship at AUB still accepting applications for 2026–2027?

No. The deadline was 20 December 2025. Based on the scholarship’s consistent multi-year pattern, the 2027–2028 cycle is expected to open around November 2026, with a similar December deadline.

Do I need to apply to AUB and ACTS separately, or is it one combined application?

Both, as two separate steps. You need to complete AUB’s standard admission process and the separate ACTS scholarship application, and both must be finished before the deadline.

Is this scholarship open to students of any nationality?

Yes. The scholarship is open to applicants from all countries, provided you meet the academic and admission requirements for AUB’s Civil Engineering programme.

Does the scholarship cover living costs, or only tuition?

Based on official ACTS announcements, the scholarship covers 100% of tuition and educational expenses. Living costs and other personal expenses aren’t explicitly listed as covered, so confirm this directly with ACTS or AUB before assuming full cost-of-attendance coverage.

Is there a guaranteed internship with ACTS after graduating?

Not guaranteed. The scholarship offers the potential for internship placements with ACTS or its partner organisations, but this is described as an opportunity rather than an automatic outcome for every scholar.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, benefits, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official ACTS sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official ACTS scholarship page before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with ACTS or the American University of Beirut.

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