MBZUAI Scholarships 2026 in UAE (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) Scholarships 2026, offering fully funded opportunities for international and UAE students to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Artificial Intelligence fields. This initiative aims to advance AI research and innovation in the UAE. The final application deadline is December 15, 2025, with a priority review deadline of November 15, 2025.

Note: Applications submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. While all applications submitted by the final deadline (December 15, 2025) will be considered, applying by the priority deadline is strongly encouraged. 

Eligibility

General Requirements (Both Master’s and Doctoral Programs)

• Open to both international and UAE national applicants.
• English Proficiency:
  • TOEFL iBT: 90 or equivalent
  • IELTS: 6.0 or higher
  • EmSAT English: 1550 or higher
• Statement of Purpose: Approximately 800 words
• Recommendation Letters: Minimum of two referee recommendations
• Entry Test
• Admission Interview

Program-Specific Requirements

• Master’s Degree Program 2026
  • Must have a four-year bachelor’s degree or an equivalent recognized by UAE institutions.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.2 out of 4.0 (from bachelor’s degree)
• Doctoral Program 2026
  • Must have both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.2 out of 4.0 (from previous degrees)
  • Comprehensive Research Statement required

Program Dates/Location

• Location: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Program Start: Fall 2026
• Application Deadlines:
  • Priority Review: November 15, 2025
  • Final Deadline: December 15, 2025
• Decision Notification Date: March 15, 2026 (5 p.m. GST)
• Offer Response Deadline: April 15, 2026
• Master's Degree Scholarship Duration: 2 years
• PhD Scholarship Duration: 4 years

Program Benefits

• 100% tuition fee coverage.
• Monthly stipend:
  • M.Sc. students: AED 15,500
  • Ph.D. students: AED 17,500
• Health insurance coverage.
• UAE residence visa sponsorship for non-UAE nationals.
• On-campus housing allocation (subject to availability).
• Study Fields
  • Master's and Ph.D. programs are offered in the following AI disciplines:
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Machine Learning (ML)
    • Computer Vision (CV)
    • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
    • Robotics (ROB)
    • Statistics & Data Science MBZUAI

Required Documents

• Completed online application form.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Official transcripts and degree certificates.
• Statement of Purpose (500–1000 words).
• Research Statement (for Ph.D. applicants).
• English language proficiency test scores.
• Two recommendation letters (for M.Sc. applicants) or three recommendation letters (for Ph.D. applicants).
• Copy of passport and recent photograph (white background).

Application Process

• Submit applications through the MBZUAI graduate admission portal
• Ensure all required documents are uploaded before the deadline.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those submitted by the November 15 deadline. MBZUAI

For further information and to apply, visit the official MBZUAI graduate admission page.