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Share your experience, studies and interests.
Discover the Malek Sghiri Scholarship and Taa Marbouta Global Scholarships — two paths to learning Arabic and connecting with Tunisia.
Explore our scholarships ↓
A six-week Arabic course with an internship or research component, in honour of Malek Sghiri.
Explore the Malek Sghiri Scholarship ↗ 02 / TAA MARBOUTA GLOBAL SCHOLARSHIPSLearn more about our Global Scholarship partnerships with different institutions.
Explore Global Scholarships ↗Study Arabic in Tunis, build relationships with local organisations, and explore the country’s civil society. The scholarship combines a six-week group course with a short internship or research project.
Six weeks of Arabic tuition and internship or research support. Beginner to advanced levels welcome.
Accommodation, travel and everyday living expenses are not covered.
You don’t need to speak Arabic to begin. You must be available for the full six-week course.
Share your experience, studies and interests.
Explain how your work, studies or career goals connect with Malek Sghiri’s vision and activism.
When a round is open, send both documents to info@taamarbouta.com with the subject “Malek Sghiri Scholarship”.
Recipients also complete a short summer internship or research project related to human rights, anti-corruption or civil society.
Due to the competitive nature of the scholarship there are several stages to the review process. First, applicants submit their CV and motivation letter. The top applicants then proceed to the next round. The sheer number of applicants means that many excellent candidates will not make it through the first stage.
The second round involves screening the selected candidates for certain criteria: availability, ability to travel, and meeting the eligibility criteria. It will also involve submitting short written responses to questions about your personal commitment, and personal engagement with human rights, anti-corruption, or civil society.
The third round is a short video challenge, whereby candidates are given 72 hours to submit a video in response to a prompt. The video should be a maximum of 3 minutes, must be recorded on a phone to keep it simple, and must be in English, Arabic, or French. This will be used to assess independence and creativity of thought, and the ability to communicate and explain.
The final stage involves an interview with a panel and, for anyone not a beginner, an Arabic test. The interview generally takes up to 30 minutes, while the test involves both a written and spoken component. If a candidate has studied any Arabic before they must take the test. If they are a beginner they do not need to take the test and this will not be counted against the candidate.
The entire process is expected to take between four and six weeks following the deadline. In previous years Taa Marbouta has been able to offer discounted course fees to the top applicants who were not awarded the Malek Sghiri Scholarship. For this reason we still encourage everyone to apply if they are eligible.
Migration research with FTDES, alongside Arabic studies.
Human rights work with Amnesty International in Tunisia.
Connecting language learning with Tunisian musical life.
International relations, social policy and civic engagement.
Independent Documentary & Research
An activist, teacher, researcher and journalist who believed in a better Tunisia.
Imprisoned in the final days of the Ben Ali regime, Malek Sghiri continued working for civic participation and justice after the 2011 revolution. He died in June 2021, aged 35, while rescuing a friend from drowning.
Named with his wife Azza’s blessing, this scholarship carries his commitment to learning, community and social change into a new generation.
Watch Malek Sghiri's story ↗The scholarship is open to applicants aged 18–35 from any country or territory, with a demonstrable interest in human rights, anti-corruption or civil society. You must be able to secure a visa or travel visa-free to Tunisia.
Yes. Previous scholars have included both beginners and more advanced Arabic students. Your connection to the scholarship’s themes matters more than your starting language level.
Applicants from all countries and territories are welcome. There are no nationality restrictions.
Applicants should be between 18 and 35. Exceptions may be considered, but are unlikely given the popularity of the scholarship.
The scholarship covers tuition for a six-week course at the Taa Marbouta Language Centre in Tunis, plus internship support. Accommodation, travel and living costs are not covered.
No. Accommodation costs are not covered, but our team can help you find appropriate housing.
No. Flights are not covered, but our team can help you find suitable options.
No. You will need to budget for your living expenses throughout the programme, including any additional travel you choose to do.
Yes. Only applicants who can commit to the full six-week course can be considered. We typically receive 150–200 applications for one scholarship.
Alongside Arabic study, the scholar completes a short internship or research project connected to human rights, anti-corruption or civil society. We help connect students with organisations and research opportunities that build international experience.
Past placements have involved women’s rights, social and economic research, communications and marketing, local development, and cultural heritage. Tunis also offers opportunities with media, investigative journalism and civil society organisations, including Libyan organisations based in the city.
Most placements are unpaid; some may offer a modest stipend. Research support can include introductions, recommended resources and connections to ongoing projects. We have supported historical and political research and work on migration from Tunisia.
Email your CV and a 250-word explanation of how your work, studies or career goals align with Malek Sghiri’s vision and activism to info@taamarbouta.com . Use the subject “Malek Sghiri Scholarship”.
The selected scholar must also complete a short summer internship or research project connected to human rights, anti-corruption or civil society.
A CV and a 250-word statement connecting your work, studies or career goals to Malek Sghiri’s vision and activism.
The next application deadline is to be announced. Contact info@taamarbouta.com for the latest dates.
The response date is to be announced. The full selection process is expected to take four to six weeks after the application deadline.
The process is expected to take four to six weeks after the deadline. In previous years, discounted course fees have sometimes been offered to strong applicants who were not awarded the scholarship; this is not guaranteed.
Learn more about our Global Scholarship partnerships with different institutions.
For information about Taa Marbouta Global Scholarships, contact our team .