LEAP HIGHER
Emergency Programmes to Support Palestinian Students’ Access Higher Education
Education is a lifeline for Palestinian youth, and right now, it may be the most reliable and powerful resource we can offer to restore hope and allow these young individuals a chance to reclaim their futures: one which goes beyond displacement and fear.
Check our current scholarships programs:
Our Impact in 2025 at a Glance
16
Students received Interstellar Scholarships
12
Phoenix Space Interstellar Scholarship holders supported with safe passage from Gaza to their university
80
Launchpad students selected
104
Students and 26 of their dependents supported to continue their education in the UK via the Phoenix Space Gaza Emergency Relief Fund
40
Beneficiaries received financial and administrative support from Phoenix Space with visa, IHS and passport renewal applications via the Phoenix Space Gaza Emergency Relief Fund
104
beneficiaries from both the Gaza Emergency Relief Fund and Interstellar received post-arrival support for essentials from Phoenix Space once they had safely exited Gaza to take up their university places
The Voice’s Of Our Students
Phoenix Space Interstellar Scholarship Holders, Orion Scholarship Holders and ‘Education to Livelihood Programme Fellows’.
Join us in making a difference
Your support can transform lives
What Phoenix Space is doing to help displaced Palestinian youth
In collaboration with accredited partners, Phoenix Space is working to establish an ecosystem of educational support for displaced Palestinian youth. Our main goal is to aid prospective and recent secondary school graduates in securing scholarships at leading regional and international universities.
Leap Higher is composed of three programs ongoing simultaneously:
Orion
Enabling Talented Palestinian Students to Enrol at Universities in Egypt
In response to this emergency, Phoenix Space CIO, Terous and VISGA (Volunteer Initiative for Gaza Students Abroad) have been working tirelessly to launch our first branch of the Leap Higher ‘Orion’ an emergency response initiative designed to provide immediate guidance and financial support to displaced Palestinian students so they can begin or continue their university education.
In recent months, we have secured scholarships for 27 brilliant students from Gaza at top Egyptian universities. At current we are in the process of identifying the next group of eligible students.
Enabling Exceptional Palestinian Students to Enrol at Top Universities
Interstellar is a scholarship program designed to support high-achieving Palestinian students in gaining access to the world’s leading universities. It provides full financial coverage, including tuition, living expenses, and placement fees, ensuring students can pursue their education without financial barriers.
Who Can Apply?
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You HAVE offer already from one of the top 20 universities in the world – listed on our page for on the Interstellar Scholarship– https://phoenixspace.org/leaphigher/interstellar/ (Conditional or Unconditional)
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Applicants must be Palestinian.
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Must have a score of 97% or higher in any stream (Or High GPA at the high school in case of graduation this year), (for Master student Very Good GPA – 80% at university)
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You can prove your eligibility for financial aid
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A screening process by experts will handle the applications with full confidentiality.
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If you answered YES to all the questions above, please fill out this form.
Application & Program Process
- A team of experts will assess the applications and contact only the nominated students for more information (With the prioritisation of undergraduate applicants).
- Nominated students will undergo interviews before acceptance.
- The sponsorship amount and purpose will be different depending on a case by case scenerio. The scholarship could be full or partial scholarship covering (Tuition fees, Living cost, visa and IHS cost, travel cost).
- The applications deadline End of April at 5 pm UK timing. The applications will be scanned
- All applicant will be notified of a final decision by July, 2026 at the latest.
Launchpad
Launchpad is an initiative designed to support outstanding Palestinian students in securing admission to top universities in the UK and USA. It provides expert mentorship, application guidance, and financial aid support to help students overcome barriers to higher education.
Who Can Apply?
- Palestinian students in grades 10, 11 and 12 or recent graduates who have been displaced or marginalized.
- Applicants must have a GPA of 97% or higher in the last two years of school.
- Students with strong academic records who require assistance in applying to and financing their studies at leading universities.
Application & Program Timeline
- Now – until end of June 2026: Applications open
- July – August 2026: Initial assessments and student selection
- September – October 2026: Mentorship and university application preparation
- October – December 2026: Application submissions and interview preparation
- January – March 2027: Admission decisions and enrollment support
What does the Launchpad program cover?
The program provides mentorship, university application support, and financial guidance. Some applicants will receive financial aid towards universities applications fee/english test fee and other related financial requirements for the university application.
Launchpad applicants will be prioritised for Interstellar Scholarships next round (2027-2028).
Do I need to take standardized tests?
Students applying to USA universities may need to take the SAT or ACT. The program will assist with test preparation.
Can I apply if I am already studying at a university?
If you are already studying at a top US and UK university and need financial support please apply to “Interstellar” program, not “Launchpad”
How competitive is the selection process?
Admission is highly competitive and based on academic merit, financial need, and motivation.
Applications for 2026/2027 cycle close on 30th of May (this is for students who want to apply for 2027/2028 academic year at university).
Gaza Students Emergency Relief Fund
The Emergency Relief Fund for Gazan students has been set up by Phoenix Space in collaboration with academics in more than 30 universities, education experts, foundations and legal teams to help bring students from Gaza who have earned scholarships come to the UK and take up their university places.
105 and 13 dependents were evacuated and successfully reached their universities in the UK. Many more students are waiting for the evacuation announcement.
We have recieved applications from countless outstanding students from Gaza who have secured unconditional offers to study at some of the United Kingdom’s top universities – but who now face a critical barrier: lack of funding. This is an urgent appeal to evacuate as many students as possible for them to continue their academic journey and set up a new life in the UK.
Who is eligible?
For students to be considered for evacuation, they must hold unconditional offers from universities as well as provide evidence of full scholarship support.
What does your donation do?
We are seeking funding support to cover partial and full scholarships, as well as living expenses, visas, support with NHS registration, travel expenses, and assistance for dependents.
As many students arrive with nothing more than a single backpack, your donation will also contribute to the coordination of post-evacuation support. This includes: a needs assessment, medical and mental health support, psychometric testing, accommodation, academic support, educational materials (including textbooks and laptops), essential WASH materials upon arrival, cash cards and multipurpose vouchers.
For many, this represents not only an academic achievement but also the possibility of a life defined by learning and opportunity rather than loss and displacement.
Every donation counts. Every day counts. Join us in making a difference.
Why your support is crucial?
Education is a powerful equaliser, restoring opportunities lost to war and displacement. It’s our strongest tool to break cycles of hardship and empower a new generation of resilient leaders.
Leap Higher empowers displaced Palestinian youth with immediate support and a pathway to lasting change. With 2,000 eager participants, our programs provide the education and opportunities they deserve to rebuild their futures.
We can’t undo their losses, but we can equip them with the tools to thrive—not just for themselves, but for their communities.
While we may not stop the conflict, we can take action. Together, we offer hope, provide support, and make a real impact. Now is the time to unite, pool resources, and create brighter futures. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.
How does the Scholarship Fund work
Through partnerships, we identify scholarship opportunities and support eligible students throughout the entire application and enrollment process, whether they’re beginning or continuing their university education. We handle travel and accommodation logistics, ensuring they can attend, and tuition fees are paid directly to universities to remove financial barriers.
These resilient young people have endured unimaginable hardships yet remain eager to learn. Our dedicated advisors provide personalized guidance every step of the way, addressing concerns and offering support. By fostering a nurturing environment, we empower students to reclaim their academic dreams and build a future beyond the devastation of war.
