USAID Lincoln Scholarship Program

The Lincoln Scholarship Program will achieve USAID’s goal of improving the technical competencies and enhancing the leadership potential of the next generation of leaders to guide Myanmar along a path of inclusive socio-economic development. Sixty percent of the population of Myanmar is under the age of 35. To date, few have had access to graduate education opportunities. The Lincoln Scholarship Program will help to close this gap and provide opportunities for scholars to study for Master’s degrees in the U.S.

Project Duration

  • August 2019 – August 2026

Type of Training

  • Master’s degrees at U.S. universities

Goals

  • Help develop a more stable, pluralistic and prosperous Myanmar by equipping young professionals and academics with technical and leadership skills.
  • Help scholars achieve Master’s level learning in diverse fields of study.
  • Provide comprehensive conflict resolution and leadership training to scholars.

Lincoln Scholarship Award Benefits and Privileges

  • Pre-academic training in Yangon
  • IIE will work with Lincoln Scholars to apply for university admission
  • Airfare to and from the U.S.
  • Fully covered tuition
  • A monthly stipend and other academic-related financial allowances
  • Support system while studying in the U.S.
  • Alumni support activities and alumni grants
  • Leadership, Inclusivity, and Conflict Resolution Skills Development 

Pre-Academic Training

The pre-academic training is designed to provide the Lincoln Scholars with knowledge of U.S. higher education, standardized test preparation (TOEFL, GRE), study skills and computer skills for graduate studies. Through this pre-academic training, the scholars will refine their English skills, standardized test taking skills, increase their understanding of American culture and be prepared for life in the U.S. The scholars will also learn from peer mentors who will share their personal experiences and answer any questions scholars may have about studying in the U.S. 

There are two parts, Period 1 and 2, to the pre-academic training program and scholars are expected to participate fully in both.

Period-1: Standardized Tests Preparation 

The first part of pre-academic training will be delivered online with the understanding that the scholars would keep their professional jobs while preparing for TOEFL-iBT and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  

Period-2: Graduate Studies Preparation

The second part of pre-academic training will be full time, in-person, and scholars are expected to be in Yangon to participate.  This period of pre-academic training includes visa application procedure, medical checkup, and vaccinations for university registration.  In addition, the Lincoln Scholarship will provide pre-departure orientation for the scholars during this period.  

English Language Test (TOEFL-iBT/PBT/ITP, IELTS)

It is not a requirement to have an official test score to apply for the Lincoln Scholarship.  However, if you are selected for the scholarship, you will have to take at-home TOEFL-iBT in the third week of October 2023 and the GRE in the first week January 2024.  

Leadership, Inclusivity, and Conflict Resolution Skills Development

As an additional component of the Lincoln Scholarship Program George Mason University, School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR) will be leading a multi-phase training program to develop Lincoln Scholarship Program (LSP) scholars’ conflict resolution skills and prepare them for leadership roles in Burma. LSP scholars will be exposed to theoretical underpinnings of conflict resolution while learning practical techniques for resolving disputes and building consensus. S-CAR will provide dorm housing and training space for scholars at their Point of View International Retreat and Research Center in Lorton, Virginia during their mid-term program workshop creating a conducive atmosphere for scholars to have honest conversations about issues on which they may disagree. 

Fields of Study

Individuals interested in the following fields of study and related studies are encouraged to apply.

Agriculture

  • Agricultural Business/Management
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Agricultural Education
  • Agronomy/Crop Science
  • Animal Science
  • Botany/Horticulture
  • Entomology
  • Fisheries Management
  • Food Science
  • Natural Resources Economics
  • Plant Pathology

Business & Economics

  • Accounting
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Applied Economics
  • Banking and Finance
  • Business
  • Business Analytics
  • Economic Development
  • Economics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental/Natural Resource Economics
  • Finance
  • Information Technology Management (IT)
  • International Business
  • International Economics
  • Marketing, Operations Management
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Policy/Public Economics
  • Strategic Management
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Trade and Finance

 Communications

  • Journalism
  • Media Studies
  • Public Relations
  • Advertising
  • Communication Management
  • Health Communications
  • Integrated Marketing Communications
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Mass Communication, Political Communications
  • Environmental Science

Education

  • Administration/Leadership
  • Adult Education
  • College And University Administration
  • Counseling & Guidance
  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Education Policy
  • Educational Administration
  • Educational Psychology
  • Educational Technology
  • Elementary/Secondary
  • Higher Education Administration
  • International and Comparative Education
  • School Counseling/Counseling Psychology
  • School Psychology
  • Special Education
  • Subject Education
  • Teaching English
  • Teaching Methodology

Engineering

  • Bioengineering/Biomedical engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Cybersecurity
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

Government, Administration, and Management

  • International Relations
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Public Finance
  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Southeast Asian Studies
  • Urban Development & Planning

Health

  • Health Care Administration
  • Health Economic
  • International Health
  • Medical Informatics
  • Public Health Administration

Law

  • Admiralty Law
  • American Legal Studies
  • Banking
  • Business Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Comparative Law/Legal System
  • Constitutional Law
  • Corporate and Financial Services Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Energy/Environment/Natural Resources Law
  • Health Law
  • Human Rights Law
  • Intellectual Property
  • International and Comparative Law
  • Judicial Process
  • Labor/Employment Law
  • Real Estate
  • Real Property and Land Development Law
  • Space and Telecommunications Law
  • Taxation
  • Trade Regulations

Natural Resources

  • Environmental Science
  • Fisheries, Forestry
  • Natural Resource Management and Policy
  • Range Science
  • Water/Watershed Management
  • Wildlife Management

Technology

  • Data Science
  • Governance
  • Information Technology
  • Computer Programming & Languages
  • Computer Software Engineering

For more information about the Lincoln Scholarship Program, please