Ruwwad Zayed Scholarship 2026: 50 Scholars Selected Today

 

BREAKING NEWS - ANNOUNCED TODAY: 24 September 2026, 3:38 PM UAE Time

The Zayed Education Foundation has officially announced the selection of the first 50 scholars for its flagship Ruwwad Zayed scholarship and leadership program. Selected from more than 950 applicants, the inaugural cohort will begin their fully funded Master's programs in the 2026-27 academic year.

Ruwwad Zayed Scholarship 2026: 50 Scholars Selected Today

Table of Contents

• What is Ruwwad Zayed?
• Announced Today: First Cohort Details
• Funding and Benefits
• 8 Universities and 18 Master's Programs
• Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
• Next Round Opening Later This Year
• How to Apply & Win
• FAQs

What is Ruwwad Zayed by Zayed Education Foundation?

Ruwwad Zayed is the flagship merit-based scholarship and leadership program launched by the Zayed Education Foundation on 23rd February 2026. The Foundation was launched with the support and oversight of the National Projects Office of the Presidential Court and is guided by the values of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The program is not just a scholarship. It is a complete leadership ecosystem. According to WAM - Emirates News Agency, the program aims to "prepare high-potential students to contribute to their communities and respond to complex global challenges."

The Foundation's long-term mission is to create opportunities for 100,000 young leaders by 2035. Ruwwad Zayed is the central pillar of this mission to build a global network equipped to address climate change, economic inequality, and technological disruption.

"Every generation faces its own challenges, but young people today are confronting them at unprecedented speed and scale. The Ruwwad Zayed programme is designed to help young people develop the grounding and resilience required to lead with confidence." - H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chair of the Zayed Education Foundation.

ANNOUNCED TODAY: First 50 Ruwwad Zayed Scholars Selected

On 24 September 2026, 3:38 PM, The National and Zawya confirmed that the Zayed Education Foundation has chosen 50 scholars for Ruwwad Zayed.

• Total Applications: More than 950 applicants
• Selected Scholars: 50
• Acceptance Rate: Only 5.2% - Highly Competitive
• Academic Year: 2026-27
• Gender Balance: Women account for 37 of the 50 places
• Emirati Scholars: 18 Emirati nationals
• Nationalities: 12 Arab nationalities - Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen and one more

The scholars were assessed through a multi-stage selection process examining their academic records, motivations, personal qualities, leadership potential and commitment to using their education for the benefit of their communities.

Fully Funded Benefits: What Does Ruwwad Zayed Cover?

This is a 100% fully funded Master's scholarship in the UAE. Here is what you get:

1. Full Financial Coverage

• Full tuition funding for Master's programs at top UAE universities
• Monthly living stipend based on financial need

2. Leadership Development Program

• Tailored leadership development curriculum
• Personal, academic and wellbeing support
• Mentoring and professional guidance from industry leaders
• Access to internships and career development opportunities

3. Lifelong Community

Scholars will be connected to a lifelong community of peers, universities, mentors and partners, enabling collaboration across disciplines and institutions. This is not a one-time grant, it is a lifetime network.

Universities and Programs: 8 Universities, 18 Master's Programs

For the inaugural cohort, scholars will pursue 18 different master's programs at 8 universities across the UAE.

The 8 Universities for First Cohort (Announced 24 Sept 2026):

1. Abu Dhabi University (ADU)
2. American University of Sharjah (AUS)
3. Khalifa University
4. New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
5. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
6. United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)
7. University of Sharjah
8. Zayed University

At Launch, 10 Partner Institutions Were Announced: The list also included Indian Institute of Technology Delhi - Abu Dhabi (IITD-AD) and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).

18 Master's Fields Aligned With UAE National Priorities:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Data Science and Machine Learning
• Digital Transformation
• Public Health
• Governance and Public Policy
• Law
• Urban Planning
• Psychology
• Engineering
• Sociological Research and Arts

These fields reflect national and regional priorities and include governance, public policy, urban planning, and the arts.

Who Can Apply for Ruwwad Zayed Scholarship?

• Nationality: Exceptional young Emiratis and Arab residents of the UAE. First cohort includes 12 Arab nationalities.
• Residency: Must be living in the UAE
• Academic Level: Bachelor's degree holders applying for a Master's degree. Plans to expand to additional academic levels in future rounds.
• Profile: High academic achievement + proven leadership + strong commitment to serving society
• Subject: Must be pursuing a Master's aligned with national priorities

Next Round Opening Later This Year - Big Opportunity

The most important update for new applicants: Applications for the next round of Ruwwad Zayed scholarships will open later this year, with further details to be announced by Zayed Education Foundation.

The first intake was open from 17 February 2026 to 29 May 2026. Note that some courses and universities may close their admissions before the official deadline.

Follow official channels for announcement:

• Official Website: zayededucationfoundation.org/en/scholarships/ruwwad-zayed
• Instagram: @zayededucationfoundation
• X: @ZEFoundation

How to Prepare to Win Ruwwad Zayed Scholarship?

With 950+ applicants for 50 spots, you need a strategy:

1. Academic Excellence: Strong GPA and academic record is mandatory.

2. Community Impact Statement: Don't just write about grades. Show how you will use your education to benefit your community. This is the core value of Sheikh Zayed.

3. Leadership Proof: Show real leadership - volunteering, projects, startups, community work.

4. Align with UAE Vision: Your chosen Master's must connect to UAE Vision 2031, Net Zero 2050, and AI Strategy. Choose AI, Public Health, Governance, Urban Planning etc.

5. Prepare Documents Early: Transcripts, CV, Personal Statement (500-800 words), 2 Recommendation Letters focusing on leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Ruwwad Zayed fully funded?

Yes, 100% fully funded. It covers full tuition, monthly living stipend based on need, plus leadership training, mentoring, and paid internships.

How many scholars were selected on 24 Sept 2026?

50 scholars were selected from more than 950 applicants. 37 women and 18 Emiratis are part of the cohort.

Which universities are included in Ruwwad Zayed?

8 universities for first cohort: Abu Dhabi University, American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, UAEU, University of Sharjah, Zayed University.

When will the next application open?

Applications for the next round will open later this year in 2026. The Foundation will announce dates on its official website.

Is Ruwwad Zayed only for Emiratis?

No. It is for high-potential Emirati and Arab youth living in the UAE. The first cohort has 12 nationalities including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia and UAE.

What programs are funded?

18 different Master's programs in fields like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Public Health, Governance, Law, Urban Planning, Psychology, Engineering and Arts.

Final Words: The Ruwwad Zayed scholarship is the most prestigious graduate scholarship in the UAE in 2026. If you are an Arab youth living in the UAE with big dreams to serve society, start preparing now. The next round is opening later this year.

Disclaimer: This article is based on official announcements from WAM, The National, and Zawya on 24 September 2026. Please always verify details on the official Zayed Education Foundation website.