Study in Saudi Arabia: KAUST Scholarship 2026 for International Students

Applications are now open for the King Abdullah University Scholarship 2026 (KAUST Fellowship) for both Spring and Fall 2026 intakes. The scholarship is available for Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s (M.S.), PhD, and MS/PhD track programs.

One of the highlights of KAUST is its MS/PhD Track, where outstanding students can apply for a PhD program directly after completing their Bachelor’s degree. There is no application fee, and all admitted students automatically receive the KAUST Fellowship, which provides full financial coverage.

The scholarship is open to international students from all countries, making it one of the most prestigious opportunities in Saudi Arabia. For those seeking short-term research exposure, KAUST also offers the VSRP Internship Program.

Details About KAUST Scholarship 2026

Host Country: Saudi Arabia
University: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Degree Levels: Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, MS/PhD Track, PhD
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded (KAUST Fellowship)
Intakes: Spring 2026 & Fall 2026

KAUST Fellowship Benefits

All admitted students receive the KAUST Fellowship, which covers:

Full tuition fees
Monthly living stipend
On-campus housing
Medical and dental insurance
Relocation support (including airfare tickets)

Available Study Areas at KAUST

Bioscience
Bioengineering
Environmental Science
Marine Science
Plant Science
Applied Mathematics & Computational Science
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Statistics
Applied Physics
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Science
Earth Science & Engineering
Energy Resources & Petroleum Engineering
Material Science
Mechanical Engineering

Application Requirements

Applicants must prepare the following documents:

Official university transcripts
Updated CV/Resume
Statement of Purpose (750 words)
Three letters of recommendation
Official TOEFL or IELTS Academic score (minimum IELTS 6.5 bands / TOEFL 79)
GRE score (optional, but recommended)

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all nationalities worldwide.
Must meet KAUST admission requirements.
Admission into Master’s programs requires an undergraduate degree.
Admission into PhD programs requires both an undergraduate and a Master’s degree.
No separate application for the scholarship—all admitted students are automatically awarded KAUST Fellowship.

KAUST Admission Process