KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (KAUST)
KAUST Global Fellowship Program
full · masters, phd
- Fully FundedScholarship type
- KAUST (Saudi Arabia)Host institution
- MS & PhDStudy levels
- STEM onlyFields
- ~US$20k–30k/yrLiving stipend
- Funding with admissionNo separate form
At a glance
full
Funding
€38k
Max amount
Jan 15, 2027
Deadline
Any country
Country
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Provider
KAUST — the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology — is a graduate research university on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, focused entirely on science, engineering, and technology. Every admitted student is supported by the KAUST Fellowship, making it effectively a fully-funded research university for master's and PhD study. The fellowship covers full tuition, a generous annual living stipend (~US$20,000–US$30,000 depending on level and progress), free on-campus housing, medical and dental coverage, and relocation support — with no application fee. KAUST is English-taught, research-intensive, and equipped with world-class laboratories and core facilities. Admission is competitive and based on academic record, research potential, and fit with faculty research. There is no separate scholarship application — when you are admitted to a KAUST MS or PhD program, the funding comes with the offer. KAUST recruits globally and admits students from more than 100 countries.
What's covered
- Tuition — Full tuition for the MS or PhD program (no tuition charged to funded students).
- Living stipend — An annual stipend of ~US$20,000–US$30,000, depending on level and academic progress.
- Housing — Free or subsidised on-campus accommodation in the KAUST community.
- Medical & dental — Medical and dental insurance coverage.
- Relocation — Relocation support and assistance settling at the KAUST campus.
- No application fee — There is no application fee and no separate scholarship application.
How to apply
Apply for admission to a KAUST MS or PhD program through the KAUST admissions portal. Funding is awarded with admission, so the admission application is the only step.
- Choose your program — Select a KAUST MS or PhD program in your science/engineering field.
- Prepare materials — Assemble transcripts, a statement of purpose, references, and your English test scores.
- Submit the application — Apply through the KAUST admissions portal (no application fee).
- Faculty review — Faculty assess academic record, research fit, and potential.
- Admission with funding — An offer of admission includes the KAUST Fellowship — no separate scholarship step.
- Relocation — Accept the offer and receive relocation and onboarding support to join the campus.
Eligibility
FieldScience, engineering, or technology disciplines offered at KAUST.
DegreeA bachelor's degree for MS applicants; a bachelor's or master's for PhD applicants.
Academic recordA strong GPA and demonstrated research potential.
EnglishEnglish proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) meeting KAUST's requirement.
NationalityOpen to international and Saudi students alike — KAUST admits from 100+ countries.
There is no separate fellowship application — funding is awarded with admission. KAUST has rolling/regular admission rounds; apply early for the best chance and funding consideration.
Eligible countries
Any country
Deadlines
2027 entry (priority, guideline)2027-01-15
Selection
Admission and funding decisions are made by KAUST faculty and admissions committees based on academic excellence, research potential, and fit with faculty and research areas. Because funding comes with admission, the selection is essentially the graduate-admission decision.
Verified sources
- KAUST Admissions & Fellowshipkaust.edu.saofficial
About the provider
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate research university in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, established in 2009. Focused on science and technology and richly endowed, it supports all admitted students with the KAUST Fellowship and operates world-class research facilities, drawing faculty and students from more than 100 countries.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the KAUST Fellowship?
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The funding package that supports every admitted student at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia for MS and PhD study in science, engineering, and technology — effectively making KAUST a fully-funded research university.
Who is eligible?
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High-achieving international and Saudi students in STEM fields with a strong academic record, research potential, and English proficiency, applying for a KAUST MS or PhD program.
What does it cover?
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Full tuition, an annual living stipend (~US$20,000–US$30,000), free on-campus housing, medical and dental coverage, and relocation support — with no application fee.
Is there a separate scholarship application?
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No — funding is awarded together with admission. When you are admitted to a KAUST MS or PhD program, the fellowship comes with the offer.
What fields can I study?
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Only science, engineering, and technology — KAUST is a STEM-focused graduate research university. It does not offer humanities or social sciences programs.
When should I apply?
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KAUST uses rolling admission with regular review rounds; a priority deadline around ~mid-January is a good guideline. Apply early for the best funding consideration.
Do I need to speak Arabic?
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No — KAUST is entirely English-taught. You need English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS); Arabic is not required to study or live on campus.
How competitive is admission?
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Competitive — KAUST recruits globally for a research-intensive environment, weighing academic record, research potential, and fit with faculty research areas.
Is there an application fee?
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No — KAUST charges no application fee, and there is no separate scholarship fee. The funding is built into admission.
What is campus life like?
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KAUST is a self-contained international community on the Red Sea coast, with on-campus housing, families, schools, and recreation, drawing students and faculty from 100+ countries.
Does it fund both MS and PhD?
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Yes — both master's and doctoral students are funded. PhD stipends are typically higher and can increase after passing the qualifying milestones.
Can I bring my family?
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Yes — KAUST is a family-friendly campus with housing, schools, and services for accompanying families, though specific support depends on your status and level.