KHDA opens applications for Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme for 2026-27 academic year

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai has announced the opening of applications for the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme for the 2026-27 academic year, marking the third cohort of this prestigious educational initiative.

“Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced today the opening of applications for the third cohort of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme for the 2026-27 academic year”

Government of Dubai Media Office

Launched in 2024 under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the programme aims to support exceptional Emirati students by providing access to leading global universities and preparing them to become future leaders of Dubai.

Government of Dubai Media Office

The scholarship is designed to develop highly qualified Emirati talent capable of contributing to a prosperous future for their country, reflecting Dubai's commitment to investing in human capital as the foundation for sustainable development.

Eligible candidates for the scholarship programme must meet specific criteria to be considered for the fully funded educational opportunities.

Applicants must be Emirati students aged between 16 and 20 who have completed their high school education during the 2023-24, 2024-25, or 2025-26 academic years.

ProPakistani

Additionally, candidates must hold a family book from Dubai and should not have received any other scholarship offers.

The application process is streamlined through the Dubai Now app, with the deadline set for June 30, 2026.

Successful candidates must also have a conditional or unconditional offer from an eligible university and commit to full-time study abroad, ensuring that only qualified and committed students receive these prestigious scholarships.

With a substantial budget of Dh1.1 billion (approximately AED1.1 billion), the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme offers 100 fully funded scholarships annually to outstanding Emirati graduates from both public and private schools across various curricula.

“Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced the opening of applications for the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme for the 2026–27 academic year”

The Times of India

The programme has already demonstrated significant impact in its first two years, with approximately 70% of current scholarship recipients enrolled at universities ranked among the top 100 globally.

Students are pursuing a diverse range of specializations including computer science, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, business and finance, medicine, law, and social sciences, reflecting Dubai's future-focused development priorities and the strategic importance of these fields for the emirate's continued growth and innovation.

The scholarship programme is strategically aligned with several key Dubai initiatives, including the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the Dubai Social Agenda 33, and the Education 33 strategy.

This alignment demonstrates the programme's integral role in Dubai's broader vision for sustainable development and leadership cultivation.

Government of Dubai Media Office

By combining academic excellence with the development of specialized, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills, the programme aims to encourage Emirati talent to pursue strategic fields that support the emirate's future growth.

The initiative prepares high-achieving students to become future leaders and innovators capable of driving Dubai's continued development across multiple sectors and contributing to the UAE's overall development journey.

Dr. Amna Almaazmi, CEO of Growth and Human Development at KHDA, has emphasized the programme's significance in developing highly qualified Emirati talent.

“The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced the opening of applications for the third cohort of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Program for the 2026-27 academic year”

ProPakistani

According to Dr. Almaazmi, the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme reflects the leadership's vision to develop future leaders capable of contributing to a prosperous future for their country.

ProPakistani

The diversity of specialized fields pursued by scholarship students highlights the programme's pivotal role in building future leadership capabilities by equipping outstanding Emirati students with knowledge, global exposure, and leadership skills.

The KHDA leadership also expressed pride in the achievements of students from the programme's first two cohorts and encouraged Emirati families in Dubai to take advantage of this opportunity.

Recognizing that family support plays a vital role in shaping students' academic journeys and building a prosperous future for society and the nation.