The UAE Cabinet has approved a new resolution modernising the country's scholarship and financial allowances framework, marking a significant upgrade to how the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) supports students studying abroad.
The resolution establishes a comprehensive governance structure covering every stage of the scholarship journey, from eligibility and university selection to admissions, performance monitoring and outcome evaluation. It also strengthens the alignment between scholarship programmes and labour market needs, ensuring sponsored students pursue fields that directly serve national economic priorities.
A key highlight of the resolution is an expanded financial and welfare package for scholarship recipients. Benefits include monthly stipends, tuition coverage, travel tickets, health insurance, graduation allowances and academic excellence incentives. The study readiness and settlement allowance has been raised to AED 30,000, with additional support extended to students' families.
The resolution also introduces priority specialisation allowances, encouraging students to pursue high-impact fields that contribute to a knowledge-based economy and sustainable national development.
The scholarship programme currently supports around 500 students enrolled in bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at leading universities worldwide. To strengthen career outcomes, the Ministry has established partnerships with more than 10 national institutions across sectors including energy, aviation, industry and human resources, aligning academic pathways with workforce needs and graduate employment.
The move reflects the UAE's broader ambition to build a world-class national talent pipeline, investing strategically in human capital to drive growth across future-focused industries.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
