MBZUAI Funded PhD 2027/2028

About this scholarship

A PhD in artificial intelligence and related fields in Abu Dhabi, starting in 2027. Funding comes with admission, and there is no separate scholarship application.

Funding type

Covers: tuition, a monthly stipend, one return flight a year to your home country, health insurance, and a university-sponsored UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, where eligible. The stipend table on the admissions page lists AED 17,500 for international PhD students. Year 1 is paid by the university while you look for a faculty advisor. From Year 2 the money comes from your advisor, and it continues only if an advisor match is confirmed and your progress is satisfactory. The PhD programmes page also lists accommodation, but the admissions page does not, so ask the university about it. Funded students must stay on campus and ask for approval before being away.

Tuition fees

Covered

Living costs

Covered

Travel

Covered

Insurance

Covered

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities

All nationalities

Residence condition

No residence condition

A degree in a science or engineering field such as computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics, from a university recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education A minimum CGPA of 3.0 or 3.5 out of 4.0, depending on the programme Places are limited and admission is competitive The website states no restriction on nationality

Minimum grade

Not stated

Work experience asked for

Not stated

Return condition

Return condition not stated

How to apply

Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test required IELTS TOEFL iBT PTE Academic Cambridge English Duolingo English Test Waiver possible

If English is not your first language: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90, PTE Academic 60, Cambridge C1 Advanced 180, or Duolingo 120. The test must be taken at an approved test centre, and home editions are not accepted. Duolingo is accepted only when access to the other tests is limited. Results are valid for 2 years. A waiver applies if your degree was taught entirely in English in a country on the university's list. You can also ask for one with an official letter from your university.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

Apply through the applicant portal. It opens on 7 September 2026, and the final deadline is 5 pm UAE time on 15 December 2026. The PhD in Computational Biology closes on 22 January 2027. Decisions come on 31 March 2027, and the offer must be answered by 15 April 2027. PhD programmes: Artificial Intelligence (with computer vision, machine learning and natural language processing), Computational Biology, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Robotics, and Statistics and Data Science. The Computer Science page says GRE scores are optional for all applicants and count as a plus. Final-year students can apply with a transcript. A Certificate of Recognition for degrees from outside the UAE is due within the first semester.

Required documents

CV Statement of purpose, 500 to 1,000 words Research statement Referee recommendations, at least three Bachelor's or master's certificate and transcript English test result, or proof of a waiver

Application steps

Choose the PhD programme and check the CGPA rule and that the UAE recognises your university. Apply through the portal, upload the documents and enter your referees' details. Take the online screening exam when you get the invitation, and pay the fee if it applies. Complete the application before 5 pm UAE time on 15 December 2026.

Requirement checklist

Scholarship contacts

Questions about how to apply and the programmes: [email protected]Copy

Questions about a submitted application: [email protected]Copy

Universities and contacts