The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, has announced the opening of applications for its prestigious KAUST Scholarship 2026, offering fully-funded opportunities for international students to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. degree programmes beginning in Fall 2026.
Established in 2009, KAUST is a globally recognized research institution. It gained international acclaim when it was ranked 19th worldwide in the 2016 Nature Index Rising Stars, highlighting its rapid rise in high-quality research output.
The scholarship will support successful candidates for two years at the Master’s level and three to four years for Ph.D. programs, providing a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in cutting-edge scientific research.
Benefits of the KAUST Scholarship
- The fully-funded award covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend for living expenses
- Relocation support
- Medical and dental insurance
- On-campus housing
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to international students from all countries.
- Applicants must meet entry requirements for Master’s or Ph.D. programs.
- Minimum English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.0 (waived for graduates from English-speaking countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland).
- Submission of three recommendation letters is mandatory.
- GRE scores are optional but considered an advantage.
Required Documents
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (in English)
- Valid IELTS/TOEFL score (if applicable)
- Three recommendation letters
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Passport and recent passport-size photo
- Research article (if available)
Scholarship Coverage
All admitted students will automatically be granted the scholarship, eliminating the need for a separate application.
Deadline
The deadline to apply for Fall 2026 admission and scholarship consideration is October 1, 2025.
Application Process
Applications are to be submitted online through the official KAUST admissions portal: KAUST Admission Requirements.
