Ruwwad Zayed is the Zayed Education Foundation's scholarship for designated master's programmes at eligible UAE universities. It is open to Emirati and Arab students from a list of countries the Foundation names, who are residing or studying in the UAE. It covers tuition and mandatory fees plus a need-based monthly stipend. No date for the next round has been published.
Who this is for, and who it is not for
The Foundation describes Ruwwad Zayed as "a merit-based university scholarship for high-potential Emirati and Arab youth who are based in the UAE and will be pursuing a Master's degree in a priority field for the region."
Its launch announcement said: "In its inaugural phase, the program will support students pursuing a Master's degree in a subject aligned with national priorities. There are plans to expand to additional academic levels in future rounds." It did not say which levels, or when.
The launch announcement also described the programme as being for "young Emiratis and Arab residents of the UAE". The scholarship page names the eligible nationalities in a list, set out below. If your nationality is not on that list, ask the Foundation directly. This page does not interpret anyone's eligibility.
Who can apply
These are the Foundation's own criteria, quoted from its page:
- Nationality. "Arab nationals holding citizenship from the following countries": Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates "(including candidates with an Emirati mother)".
- Residence or study in the UAE. Applicants must be "currently residing or studying in the United Arab Emirates". The application asks for "proof of citizenship or residence in the UAE".
- The programme. Applicants must be "applying to, or have been accepted into a designated Master's program at an eligible UAE university". You do not need a final admission letter to begin, "but you must have already applied to one of the listed Master's programs". Any offer is "conditional on you securing a place at a participating university and program".
- Timing. "You can only apply before you start the academic program."
- Academic record. "A strong academic record that meets the requirements of the chosen institution."
- English. "A valid English-language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent, as required)."
- Purpose. "A clear intention to use their education to benefit their communities and contribute to the public good."
- Other scholarships. "In most cases Scholars will not hold overlapping full scholarships."
The Foundation says the strongest candidates show these qualities: "academic excellence and readiness for graduate-level work; leadership potential; purpose and commitment to service beyond personal advancement; proven contribution and engagement in community or other meaningful settings; and capacity for growth, openness to learning, and adaptability." Its instruction is: "Please only apply if you meet all eligibility requirements and demonstrate the qualities listed here."
You may apply for more than one designated programme if you provide proof of application for each. If you are not selected, the Foundation says you "may be able to reapply in a future year, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria at that time."
On what comes after graduation, the Foundation says: "There is no single path that all Scholars must follow, but the program is designed for those who intend to contribute meaningfully to the UAE and the wider region over the course of their careers."
The universities on the scholarship page
The Foundation says it is partnering with "a select group of UAE universities offering specific Master's programs that are aligned with national priorities". Offers will be made to those "who demonstrate exceptional promise and a clear commitment to the Foundation's mission – and who have received an offer at one of the named programmes at an eligible university." On 18 October 2026 the scholarship page listed ten universities:
- Abu Dhabi University
- American University of Sharjah
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) Abu Dhabi
- Khalifa University
- Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
- New York University Abu Dhabi
- Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates University
- University of Sharjah
- Zayed University
What the scholarship covers
The Foundation says scholars "benefit from full funding for tuition and mandatory university fees". They also receive:
- a "monthly living stipend calibrated to financial need"
- a "tailored leadership development curriculum"
- "personal, academic, and wellbeing support"
- "mentoring and professional guidance"
- "opportunities for internships and career development"
- "lifelong membership of a community of peers and partners"
The page gives no stipend amount.
How selection works
The Foundation sets out four stages:
- Online application. You provide "academic records, an updated CV, proof of their application to an eligible UAE Master's program, and proof of citizenship or residence in the UAE". The FAQ also asks you to have ready a copy of your passport, "UAE residency visa or Emirates ID", university transcripts and English-language test results.
- One-way video interview. You answer structured prompts on video. It "will take around 20 minutes to complete", and you need a webcam, a microphone and a stable internet connection.
- Online psychometric assessment. It "lasts between 60 and 90 minutes and it must be completed in a single sitting". The Foundation describes it as "a mix of situational, behavioural, and personality questions."
- In-person interview, for shortlisted applicants only. "Invitation to an in-person interview does not guarantee admission to the Ruwwad Zayed."
Candidates receive an email after each stage.
The first round in numbers
- Launch. The Foundation announced the programme in news dated 22 February 2026. It offered "up to 50 fully funded graduate scholarships in its first year".
- Deadline. Applications were open until 29 May 2026. The Foundation noted that "some courses and universities may close their admissions before this time."
- Results. In news dated 24 September 2026, the Foundation reported 50 scholars "selected from more than 950 applicants". Eighteen of the scholars are Emirati, and "women account for 37 of the 50 places". They study at eight universities, on "18 different master's programs", beginning in the 2026–27 academic year.
- Fields of study. The first cohort's fields "include artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning, digital transformation, public health, governance and public policy, law, urban planning, psychology, engineering, sociological research and the arts."
What the partnerships add, and what they don't say
The Foundation says it "has celebrated 14 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)" at its Partnerships for the Future event, held at Zayed National Museum on 1 October 2026. The partners it names are the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Great Arab Minds, and twelve UAE universities, with which it "has signed the MoUs".
The partnerships page says: "The 12 university partners will collaborate with the Foundation across its scholarship and leadership programs, including Ruwwad Zayed."
Two of the twelve universities are not among the ten on the scholarship page: Fatima College of Health Sciences and Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities. Neither page says whether either one will offer designated Ruwwad Zayed programmes in the next round.
The partnerships page names no change to eligibility, funding or dates. It says the MoUs also cover research collaboration, and that the partnerships will contribute to the Foundation's "ambition to create opportunities for 100,000 young leaders by 2035."
What is not known yet
On 18 October 2026 the Foundation had published no fixed date for the next round. Its page says "Applications re-open Autumn 2026" and "We will be opening up for a second round of applications before the end of the year". It also says the next intake "will open in late-2026".
The Foundation also plans campus visits in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, with dates "to be announced via the Foundation's social media channels". It also plans online 'ask me anything' sessions. The Ruwwad Zayed page is the Foundation's own page for the programme.
How this was made
This explainer was written with AI assistance. Its facts were checked against the Zayed Education Foundation's published pages on 18 October 2026, and it was reviewed by the GetYourTutors Academic Team before publishing. The image at the top of this page is an AI-generated illustration; it does not show the programme, its universities or its scholars.