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KAUST PhD Scholarship in Saudi Arabia with Full Funding

By: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Last update:
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Opening SoonRecurring Opportunity

Opens annually from August 15 to May 31

Opens: Aug 15, 2026Closes: Jun 1, 2027Opens in 42 days

Applicant criteria

NationalityNo specific nationality required
Age
  • No specific age required
Gender
  • Both

Opportunity criteria

Job locationSaudi Arabia
Deadline2027-05-31

Opportunity description

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers a fully funded PhD scholarship for outstanding students who wish to pursue advanced scientific research in the fields of science, engineering, technology, mathematics, and computer science.

The PhD program at KAUST aims to prepare researchers capable of producing advanced scientific research and contributing to solving global challenges in areas such as energy, environment, artificial intelligence, marine science, bioengineering, materials science, computing, and chemistry.

Available Specializations

KAUST PhD programs include several research fields, such as:

  1. Bioscience.
  2. Bioengineering.
  3. Environmental Science and Engineering.
  4. Marine Science.
  5. Plant Science.
  6. Applied Mathematics and Computational Science.
  7. Computer Science.
  8. Electrical and Computer Engineering.
  9. Statistics.
  10. Chemical Engineering.
  11. Chemistry.
  12. Earth System Science and Engineering.
  13. Materials Science and Engineering and Applied Physics.
  14. Mechanical Engineering.
  15. Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Benefits

The KAUST Fellowship for PhD students includes the following:

  1. Full coverage of tuition fees.
  2. Coverage of laboratory and research fees.
  3. An annual living allowance ranging between USD 25,000 and USD 30,000 for PhD students, depending on qualifications and academic progress.
  4. Basic on-campus housing.
  5. Medical and dental insurance for the student.
  6. Medical coverage for eligible dependents residing on campus, according to the university’s conditions.
  7. Relocation support to the university, including visa, travel, and moving costs.
  8. Return support after graduation.
  9. An advanced research environment and modern laboratories.
  10. The opportunity to work with world-class researchers and faculty members.
  11. An international university community that includes students from different nationalities.
  12. An estimated total fellowship value ranging between USD 70,000 and USD 80,000 per year, depending on the student’s status.

Eligibility criteria

To apply for the KAUST PhD scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  1. Applicants must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a suitable or relevant scientific field.
  2. The academic background must be related to fields such as engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, chemical sciences, biological sciences, computer science, or related fields.
  3. Applicants must have a strong academic record and clear research experience or research interest.
  4. Applicants must prove English language proficiency through TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 81 or IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5.
  5. TOEFL or IELTS is not required if the applicant has obtained an academic degree from an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
  6. Applicants must submit an official transcript from each educational institution they have attended.
  7. Applicants must submit a graduation certificate or official academic record.
  8. Applicants must provide 3 recommendation letters from professors or academic supervisors.
  9. Applicants must submit a CV.
  10. The GRE test is not required, but the university encourages applicants to submit it, especially if the quantitative score is strong.
  11. Applicants must meet any additional requirements set by the academic program or research supervisor.

PhD Program Requirements

The PhD program at KAUST includes several main stages, such as:

  1. Completing the required program courses.
  2. Identifying an academic or research supervisor.
  3. Passing the qualifying exam.
  4. Preparing a written research proposal.
  5. Orally defending the research proposal.
  6. Conducting PhD research.
  7. Writing the dissertation.
  8. Passing the final dissertation defense.

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