The MBZUAI Scholarship Program 2026 is a great chance for students who want to study in the United Arab Emirates without worrying about costs.
Offered by the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, this fully funded scholarship focuses on helping students build strong, specialized skills in artificial intelligence through a range of advanced programs.
Students benefit from guidance from experienced faculty who help them shape their academic journey and future careers. The program also aims to bring together a diverse group of students from around the world, creating a global community focused on making a positive impact.
Overall, the scholarship is designed to attract talented individuals and support the university’s mission of promoting collaborative and interdisciplinary research in AI.
It prepares students to become future leaders and innovators, equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to drive technological progress both in the UAE and globally.
Here is the official website link for The MBZUAI Scholarship Program.
MBZUAI Scholarship
1. Benefits of MBZUAI Scholarship
2. Eligibility criteria for MBZUAI Scholarship
3. Documents required for The MBZUAI Scholarship
4. How to Apply for The MBZUAI Scholarship
6. Deadlines for The MBZUAI Scholarship
8. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Benefits of MBZUAI Scholarship
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) offers a highly generous scholarship that takes care of both your financial needs and practical arrangements, so you can focus fully on your studies and research.
- Full tuition coverage for the entire duration of the program, regardless of cost
- Comprehensive health insurance providing access to medical care throughout your studies in Dubai
- Visa sponsorship for international students, simplifying the relocation process
- Monthly stipend (international students): MSc — AED 15,000 / PhD — AED 17,500 (tax-free)
- Monthly stipend (UAE nationals): MSc — AED 37,500 / PhD — AED 43,500
- Scholarship is designed to eliminate financial barriers so students can focus entirely on academics and research
2. Eligibility criteria for MBZUAI Scholarship
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has a competitive admissions process to make sure it selects talented, motivated students. The requirements are slightly different for Master’s and PhD programs, as explained below.
For Master’s Programs (2025 Intake):
Bachelor’s Degree: 4-year degree from a recognized university (non-UAE degrees verified against UAE standards); minimum CGPA of 3.2/4.0 or equivalent
English Proficiency (one of the following): TOEFL iBT 90+ / IELTS Academic 6.0+ / EmSAT English 1550+
Statement of Purpose: Max 800 words covering academic background, research interests, career plans, and motivation for choosing MBZUAI
Recommendation Letters: Minimum two, preferably from professors or academic supervisors
Entry Test: May be required depending on the program
Interview: Shortlisted candidates invited for an online or in-person interview assessing motivation and readiness
For PhD Programs (2026 Intake):
Academic Background: Both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from recognized institutions; minimum CGPA of 3.2/4.0 or equivalent
English Proficiency (one of the following): TOEFL iBT 90+ / IELTS Academic 6.0+ / EmSAT English 1550+
Statement of Purpose: Max 800 words covering academic journey, research interests, and long-term career goals
Research Proposal: Detailed research plan outlining topic, key questions, methodology, and background demonstrates readiness for independent research
Recommendation Letters: Minimum two strong references, ideally including master’s thesis supervisor
Entry Test: Advanced subject-specific test may be required for shortlisted candidates
Interview: In-depth interview with faculty focusing on research ability, critical thinking, and subject knowledge
3. Documents required for The MBZUAI Scholarship
3.1. Academic Documents
3.2. Passport & National ID card
3.3. English Proficiency Proof (IELTS/TOEFL)
3.4. Recommendation letter
3.5. CV/Resume
3.6. Hope certificate (If applicable)
3.7. Statement of Purpose or Motivational Letter
3.8. Proof of Previous Work Experience (Optional)
3.9. Portfolios or workshop
3.1. Academic documents
This includes all your certificates & academic record like
A: Bachelor’s transcript & certificate
B: Master’s transcript & certificate (if the student is applying for 2nd Master’s or fellowship)
C: Metric & FSC transcripts (10-12th Grade) (A level) (DMCs) and certificates (Supporting academic documents)
D: Course summary (to explain your courses & how your previous courses & studies resemble your future studies to which you are applying)
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3.2. Valid passport, Birth certificate & NIC
The passport of the applicant must contain at least one full blank page on both sides.
The passport must be valid at the time of visa application and on arrival in UAE.
A birth certificate or national ID card is also important to attach.
3.3. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
Meeting the English language requirements set by the Master’s course is an important step toward achieving your bigger goal.
Generally speaking, Students with IELTS 6.5 overall or TOEFL above 100 are considered good.
3.4. Recommendation letters / Letters of Reference
The applicants must provide up to 2letters of recommendation. from the previous university, depending upon courses.
It is advised to provide a letter of recommendation from the HOD (Head of the department or Relevant course head) who should be a PhD.
The referees need to write their contact details (Email, phone number) at the end of the letter.
The letter must include an official letterhead, signature, and official stamp and must be of the current date.
Ask your Referees to write about your academic achievements & discuss their confidence in you that you are fully compatible with the project or course you wish to pursue.
The referees must also mention how long they know the applicant & when was the last time they came in contact with the applicant.
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3.5.CV
The Cv must contain all the latest & relevant information about your occupation & interests.
A perfect CV must be hand signed.
3.6. Hope certificate (If applicable)
If the final transcript isn’t ready then students can apply with a Hope certificate from their university.
However, they must be graduated before their arrival in UAE.
(Please make sure you contact your university in this regard )
3.7. Statement of Purpose or Letter of Motivation
Technically SOP (Statement of purpose) and LOM (Letter of Motivation) are the same things.
It’s a Short biography to tell the panelist about yourself:
In this letter, you are asked to write about your personal and professional reasons why are you applying for a course & scholarship.
The maximum length of this letter is three pages, But it is advised to make it short & concise to one page.
How to write a perfect letter of Motivation
If you are interested in writing your LOM on one page concisely, then follow this exact method.
LOM consists of three parts.
3.7.1.Introduction (one paragraph)
3.7.2.Body (3 paragraphs)
Let’s explain these three things one by one.
3.7.1. Introduction:
The introduction is the gateway to the rest of the letter. Try to capture their interest in the first few sentences. Be original & creative.
Make it personal & full of enthusiasm.
TIP: Try to initiate a story about yourself relevant to the scholarship you are applying for & then expand it to the first paragraph of the body.
3.7.2.Body:
In the first paragraph of the body, try to tell about your relevant academic & experienced background to the course.
And your professional goals attached to the UAE & university. Share your expectations of the scholarship.
In the 2nd paragraph be more precise & focus on the specific achievement related to the scholarship & course.
In the 3rd paragraph expand on what you are currently doing & the interesting things you look forward to.
3.8. Experience letter
Applicant must provide an Experience letter of the previous jobs & Internships.
Try to customize the work experience letter with future studies.
Mention your job descriptions, work projects & the skills you learned through time.
The letter must be signed & verified by the Head or CEO of the company.
The work experience could be Paid,
Unpaid,
full-time,
part-time, or voluntary.
It could be done before, during, or after graduation.
3.9. Portfolios or workshop
It’s optional. But students can attach portfolios or workshops to support their cases for university admission or scholarship.
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4. How to Apply for The MBZUAI Scholarship
All applications are submitted through the official MBZUAI Admissions Portal. No email or paper submissions are accepted.
Step-by-Step Application Process:
- Step 1: Create an Account & Start Application: Register on the admissions portal, read the instructions carefully, then begin filling out your application form
- Step 2: Personal Details: Enter all information exactly as it appears on your official documents (full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, address) — errors or omissions can cause delays or rejection
- Step 3: Complete All Sections: Fill every required field across all sections (education, test scores, program choice, etc.); write “N/A” where a section doesn’t apply rather than leaving it blank
- Step 4: Current Status: State what you are currently doing — if studying, include university/program/expected graduation; if working, include job title and organisation; if neither, briefly explain your situation
- Step 5: Upload Documents: Submit clear, uncorrupted, non-password-protected scans in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format, including:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- English proficiency scores (TOEFL / IELTS / EmSAT)
- Statement of Purpose
- Research proposal (PhD applicants only)
- CV or résumé
- Passport copy
- Step 6: Upload Photo: Provide a recent passport-style photo with a plain background no filters or informal images
- Step 7: Review Thoroughly: Before submitting, verify that all information matches your documents, no fields are missing, and all files are correctly uploaded
- Step 8: Submit: Once submitted, changes are generally not possible — so review carefully before final submission. A confirmation email will arrive within 24 hours; if not, contact the MBZUAI Admissions Team
Important Reminders:
- Late or incomplete applications are not accepted
- False or misleading information leads to automatic disqualification
- Save copies of all submitted documents
- Monitor your email regularly, including spam/junk folders, for updates
6. Deadlines for The MBZUAI Scholarship
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) follows a structured timeline for applications to make sure every candidate is reviewed fairly.
Priority Deadline: November 15, 2025
If you submit your application by this date, you’ll be considered early for both admission and the scholarship. Applying early is a smart move, as it can lead to quicker decisions.
Final Deadline: December 15, 2025
This is the absolute last date to apply. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Important Reminder:
Make sure your application is fully complete by your chosen deadline. This includes all documents like transcripts, test scores, recommendation letters, and your statement of purpose. Incomplete applications won’t be reviewed.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the MBZUAI scholarship fully funded?
Yes, it is completely funded. If you’re selected, you’ll receive:
Full tuition fee coverage
A monthly stipend (around AED 15,500 or more, depending on your program)
Accommodation or housing support
Visa sponsorship (for international students in the United Arab Emirates)
Health insurance
There are no hidden costs—you’re fully supported throughout your studies.
2. What are the basic eligibility requirements?
To apply, you generally need:
Relevant Degree:
Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s)
Bachelor’s + Master’s (for PhD), preferably in STEM fields
Strong Academic Record:
Usually a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0
English Proficiency (one of the following):
TOEFL iBT: 90+
IELTS Academic: 6.5 (6.0 may be accepted, but higher is better)
EmSAT English: 1550
Statement of Purpose:
Around 800 words explaining your background, interests, and goals
Recommendation Letters:
At least two academic or professional references
3. What is the full application timeline?
Applications Open: September 1, 2025
Priority Deadline: November 15, 2025
Final Deadline: December 15, 2025
After the priority deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning decisions are made as applications come in—until all spots are filled.
4. Is there an age limit?
No, there’s no age restriction. Anyone can apply as long as they meet the academic and language requirements. MBZUAI welcomes applicants from different backgrounds, including those changing careers.
5. Do I need to submit GRE scores?
GRE scores are not required. However, submitting them can strengthen your application—especially if your GPA isn’t very high. A good GRE score can help you stand out among other applicants.
