Applications Open for Ruwwad Zayed Master’s Scholarships

Applications are open for Ruwwad Zayed, a merit-based graduate scholarship programme by the Zayed Education Foundation for high-potential Emirati and Arab residents of the United Arab Emirates. The first intake will award no more than 50 fully funded Master’s scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year, with applications accepted from February 17th, 2026 to May 29th, 2026. According to the Foundation, scholars will receive full funding for tuition and mandatory university fees, a monthly living stipend calibrated to financial need, a tailored leadership development curriculum, mentoring and professional guidance, personal, academic and wellbeing support, and opportunities for internships and career development. The programme is positioned as a long-term investment in candidates’ academic and professional growth, with a values-led community and network of partners across the UAE. In its first year, Ruwwad Zayed will fund specific Master’s programmes aligned with national priorities at ten universities: Abu Dhabi University; American University of Sharjah; Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Abu Dhabi; Khalifa University; Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence; New York University Abu Dhabi; Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi; United Arab Emirates University; University of Sharjah; and Zayed University. Eligible degrees span fields such as machine learning, data science, robotics, public health, governance and public policy, urban planning, environment and sustainability sciences, education technologies and more, as detailed by each institution. Eligibility is open to Emirati and Arab students currently residing or studying in the UAE who are applying to, or have been accepted into, a designated Master’s programme at an eligible UAE university, and who meet academic and English-language proficiency requirements. Selection involves four stages: an online application; a one-way video interview; an online psychometric assessment; and an in-person interview. The Foundation stated it will conduct campus information sessions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, alongside online Q&A sessions, with further details to be shared via its channels.