MBZUAI PhD Funding
Funded AI PhD at MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi: free tuition, a monthly stipend, a yearly flight home, health insurance and a visa. Master's funding is available only through faculty assistantships.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
PhD
Destination
United Arab Emirates
Funding
Free tuition, a monthly stipend (AED 17,500 for international PhD students), a yearly return flight, health insurance and a UAE residence visa.
Eligible applicants
All nationalities
Photo: NNegm, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
MBZUAI PhD Funding is offered by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence for PhD study in United Arab Emirates. Details were checked against the provider’s official page on October 11, 2026.
Application checklist
What you’ll need
The confirmed essentials for this application. Always check the official source before applying.
- Official application form or online applicationRequired
What this scholarship covers
Free tuition
Included
Monthly stipend (AED 17,500 for international PhD students)
Included
One return flight home a year
Included
Health insurance
Included
UAE residence visa and Emirates ID
Included
Free tuition, a monthly stipend (AED 17,500 for international PhD students), a yearly return flight, health insurance and a UAE residence visa. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Checked against the official criteria on October 11, 2026
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
Conditional
Scholarship scope
University-specific
Last eligibility check
October 11, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Students of all nationalities.
- International eligibility
- Open to international applicants.
Academic requirements
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- United Arab Emirates
Official eligibility summary
Applicants of any nationality admitted to an MBZUAI PhD. There is no age limit; funding beyond Year 1 depends on a confirmed advisor match and satisfactory progress.
Applicant profile
- All nationalities
Study route
- PhD study in United Arab Emirates
Current-cycle criteria
- Applicants of any nationality admitted to an MBZUAI PhD. There is no age limit; funding beyond Year 1 depends on a confirmed advisor match and satisfactory progress.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
- Academic and identity documents requested in the current call
- Admission, language, or recommendation evidence where required
How to apply
- 1
Choose one MBZUAI PhD programme.
- 2
Complete the screening exam and pay the AED 200 fee (waivers apply).
- 3
Submit the application by December 15, 2026.
Application timeline
Application cycle
Fall 2027 applications opened September 7, 2026; the final deadline for most programmes is December 15, 2026.
The listed deadline is December 15, 2026. Confirm it on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 11, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
The listed deadline is December 15, 2026. Confirm that it remains current on the official provider page.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.