MBZUAI PhD Scholarship 2027 in the UAE (Fully Funded PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Abu Dhabi)

The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi is a graduate research university dedicated to artificial intelligence. Admitted PhD students are funded through a partnership between the University and faculty advisors: the first year is centrally funded while you match with an advisor, and funding moves to your advisor no later than the start of year two, subject to a confirmed match and satisfactory progress. Funded students receive free tuition, a monthly stipend of AED 17,500 for international PhD students, a yearly return airfare, health insurance and a UAE residence visa. The application portal opened on 7 September 2026. Most MSc and PhD programmes close on 15 December 2026, Computational Biology closes on 22 January 2027 and the Master in Applied AI closes on 28 February 2027, all at 5 pm Gulf Standard Time. Decisions come no later than 31 March 2027, and studies start in mid-August 2027. MBZUAI says its cost of attendance figures for Fall 2027 are still being finalised. Note: for 2027, MSc places are fee-paying by default. Merit-based funding may be available, and funded international MSc students receive AED 15,500 a month, but MSc funding is not automatic. This page was last checked against the MBZUAI admissions website on 7 October 2026.