Masters, PhDFully Funded Verified active

MBZUAI Scholarship

Last verified 12 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

Pursue advanced studies in artificial intelligence with a fully-funded scholarship at MBZUAI in the United Arab Emirates, covering all academic and living expenses.

Provider: MBZUAI Scholarship
Host country: United Arab Emirates

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About this scholarship

## About the MBZUAI Scholarship The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) offers a comprehensive scholarship program for all admitted Master’s and PhD students. This prestigious scholarship provides full financial support, enabling students to focus entirely on their studies and research in the cutting-edge field of artificial intelligence. ## Funding and Benefits This is a fully-funded scholarship designed to remove financial barriers to advanced education. The scholarship package includes: * **Full tuition fee waiver:** All academic costs are covered. * **Housing:** Accommodation in university facilities is provided. * **Monthly stipend:** Financial support for living expenses is allocated. * **Health insurance:** Comprehensive health coverage is included. * **Visa sponsorship:** Support for obtaining necessary visas for international students. The specific amounts for the monthly stipend and the details of housing and health insurance are determined by the university and communicated upon admission. ## Eligibility and Application The MBZUAI Scholarship is automatically awarded to all Master’s and PhD students who are successfully admitted to the university. There is no separate application process for the scholarship itself. Prospective students must meet the rigorous academic and English language proficiency requirements for their desired program (Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy) in various AI specializations such as Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing. International students from all countries are eligible and encouraged to apply. The university is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. ## Value of the Scholarship Receiving the MBZUAI Scholarship not only provides financial security but also grants access to a world-class institution dedicated solely to AI. Scholars will have the opportunity to learn from leading faculty, engage in groundbreaking research, and contribute to the advancement of artificial intelligence. The fully-funded nature of the scholarship allows recipients to immerse themselves in their academic pursuits without the burden of tuition fees or living costs, preparing them to be future leaders and innovators in the field.

What's covered

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Health insurance

Eligibility criteria

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

This scholarship is open to all admitted Master’s and PhD students at MBZUAI, regardless of nationality. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for their chosen program.

Required documents

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://mbzuai.ac.ae/study/fees-and-scholarships/ and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Identify a supervisor whose research aligns with yours, exchange emails, and either obtain a conditional offer or confirmation that they will host your project. Many MBZUAI Scholarship awards require this before the funding application opens.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a focused 1,000–2,000-word research proposal and a separate personal statement. Tailor every paragraph to the sponsor's stated priorities — generic recycled essays are the most common reason strong applicants are rejected.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://mbzuai.ac.ae/study/fees-and-scholarships/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, MBZUAI Scholarship will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Deadline timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Editorial verification note

Auto-curated from official source (top-tier batch).

Last checked 5/12/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the MBZUAI Scholarship?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters, PhD level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by MBZUAI Scholarship, and be able to relocate to United Arab Emirates for the duration of the programme.

Is the MBZUAI Scholarship fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

Guides for this scholarship

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