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 at a Glance
118
Total students received scholarships
104
Students and 26 of their dependents received post-arrival support for essentials from Phoenix Space once they had safely exited Gaza to take up their university places
198
Students Enrolled in ‘Education to Livelihoods’ – Supporting Palestinian university students in the UK and Ireland into employment or further study
80
Launchpad students supported with the university admission process
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
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 Palestinian youth
Leap Higher is Phoenix Space’s higher education and employability ecosystem for Palestinian students.
We support students from the point of university aspiration through to enrolment, transition, and long-term career development, ensuring education becomes a pathway to leadership, professional mobility, and community recovery.
Working in partnership with universities, employers, and accredited education partners, we help talented Palestinian students access higher education across the UK, Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands, the USA, Singapore, Egypt and Jordan.
At Phoenix Space, we believe access to university is only the beginning.
Students need structured support before, during, and after higher education to build sustainable futures.
That is why Leap Higher operates as a full continuum:
University access → successful transition → employability → skills to empower and aid the recovery of their communities
By investing in Palestinian students today, we are investing in the future recovery of Gaza, equipping the next generation of doctors, engineers, educators, scientists, policymakers, and innovators with the global knowledge, networks, and expertise needed to rebuild their communities tomorrow.
Launchpad
Launchpad supports high-achieving Palestinian students to access leading universities worldwide through admissions mentoring, application support including access and financial assistance to admission tests, and scholarship guidance.
Interstellar
Interstellar provides financial, logistical, and transition support to Palestinian students who have secured places at top-ranked universities across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Singapore, the USA, and Australia, helping them enrol and begin their studies successfully.
Gaza Emergency Relief Fund
The Gaza Emergency Relief Fund helps bring students from Gaza who have received offers from universities in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands to take up their university places via financial and logistical aid and post-arrival support.
Orion
Orion Scholarship is designed to provide immediate guidance and financial support to displaced and economically vulnerable Palestinian students seeking to continue their university education in Egypt or Jordan, including essential assistance toward tuition fees.
Education to Livelihoods
Supports Palestinian students at university in the UK and Ireland to transition into the labour market or further study pathways through structured employment pathways, mentorship, and professional development training, equipping them with the skills to build sustainable careers.
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?
- If you already HAVE an offer from one of the top 20 universities listed on the Interstellar Scholarship Page– https://phoenixspace.org/leaphigher/interstellar/ (Conditional or Unconditional)
- Applicants must be Palestinian.
- You must have a score of 97% at the high school (for Master’s students, you must have a GPA of 80% at university)
- You must be able to prove your eligibility for financial aid
- Applicants will undergo a screening process by experts who will handle the applications with full confidentiality.
- Please read the Interstellar Scholarship Page carefully (https://phoenixspace.org/leaphigher/interstellar/ ). If you feel you are eligible, please feel free to apply via the form below.
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 assessed on a case-by-case basis. The scholarship could be full or partial scholarship covering (Tuition fees, Living costs, visa and IHS costs, travel costs).
- The application deadline is May 15th, 5 pm UK time.
- All applicants 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 Gaza Emergency Releif Fund 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 places at universities in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands financial and logistical aid to take up their university places.
Who is eligible?
For students to be considered for support, they must hold unconditional offers from universities in the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands, and provide evidence of financial need.
We are actively accepting donations to assist as many students as possible. Learn what your donation does.
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-arrival support. This includes: a needs assessment, medical and mental health referrals, 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.
Orion-Egypt
Enabling Talented Palestinian Students to Enrol or Continue their Education 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.
Orion-Jordan
Enabling Talented Palestinian Students to Enrol or Continue their Education at Universities in Jordan
Phoenix Space has partnered with Hayat Education Fund to provide scholarships for 57 Palestinian students at universities in Jordan who are unable to pay their tuition fees. While we are currently funding tuition for final-semester or penultimate-semester students, we hope to expand this in the future to include full-year tuition as resources grow and the program scales.
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.
