KAUST Global Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia

The KAUST Global Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 is accepting applications from early-career researchers from around the world. The fully funded fellowship is offered by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia and supports researchers developing independent projects in science and engineering.

The fellowship lasts three years and provides financial support, research funding, accommodation, medical insurance and other benefits.

The first-stage application deadline is October 1, 2026.

KAUST Global Postdoctoral Fellowship Overview

Host institution: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Location: Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Programme: KAUST Global Postdoctoral Fellowship
Duration: 3 years
Funding: Fully funded
Eligible applicants: All nationalities
Stage 1 deadline: October 1, 2026
Full proposal period: November 15, 2026 to January 15, 2027

Fellowship Benefits

Successful fellows receive a comprehensive funding package that includes:

US$75,000 annual living stipend
Up to US$40,000 in research funding
Three years of fellowship support
Medical insurance
On-campus accommodation
Relocation allowance
Annual travel assistance
Schooling support for up to three children
Access to KAUST laboratories and research facilities

Fellows can also participate in professional development activities, mentoring, leadership training, teaching programmes and networking opportunities with researchers and industry partners.

Research Areas

Research proposals should align with at least one of KAUST’s strategic research areas:

Water
Food
Health
Energy
Artificial intelligence
The Red Sea

Proposed projects should also fit within one of KAUST’s academic divisions, including biological and environmental sciences, biomedical sciences, computer, electrical and mathematical sciences, or physical sciences and engineering.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is open to applicants of all nationalities.

Applicants must:

Hold a PhD awarded after January 2023 for the 2027 fellowship
Or expect to complete their PhD before the fellowship begins
Be willing to relocate to KAUST in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Identify one to three KAUST faculty members whose research aligns with the proposed project
Meet the applicable Saudi Arabian residency requirements before starting the fellowship

KAUST also encourages applications from women in science and engineering.

Independent Research Opportunity

The fellowship is designed for researchers who want to develop their own research agenda while working with a KAUST faculty member.

Fellows are expected to develop a three-year research programme demonstrating scientific originality and potential impact.

The programme also provides opportunities to collaborate with researchers from different disciplines and develop international academic connections.

Stage 1: Concept Note

The first stage of the application process runs from September 1 to October 1, 2026.

Applicants submit a concept note describing their proposed research project. A Host Principal Investigator support letter is not required at this stage.

Applicants must identify up to two relevant KAUST faculty members whose research is connected to their proposed project.

Stage 2: Full Research Proposal

Applicants who receive support from a KAUST faculty member may be invited to proceed to the second stage.

The full proposal stage is scheduled to run from November 15, 2026 to January 15, 2027.

Only candidates invited to the second stage can submit a full research proposal.

Required Documents

For Stage 1, applicants should prepare:

A current CV with a complete publication list, limited to four pages
Up to two selected publications
A concept note using the official KAUST template
Two reference letters

Reference letters can either be uploaded with the application or submitted directly by referees through the process specified by KAUST.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants should develop a clear research concept that fits KAUST’s strategic research priorities and demonstrates the potential contribution of the proposed work.

It is also important to identify faculty members whose expertise genuinely matches the research project.

Your application should clearly communicate:

The research problem you want to address
Why the project is important
Your proposed approach
The expected scientific contribution
How the project aligns with KAUST’s research priorities
Your relevant research experience and publications

Key Dates

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	September 1, 2026
Stage 1 Deadline	October 1, 2026
Full Proposal Opens	November 15, 2026
Full Proposal Deadline	January 15, 2027
Fellowship Duration	3 years