Today's Edition
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
The UAE Cabinet has raised the study readiness and settlement allowance for scholarship recipients to Dh30,000 under a new resolution that overhauls scholarships rules and aligns them more closely to the country's labour-market priorities, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) announced on Monday.
Cabinet Decision No.93 of 2026 replaces a financial framework that had been in place since 2015, according to the resolution text. It applies to new and continuing scholarship students, as well as employees funded by the ministry whose scholarships remain active.
Published on MoHESR’s website in Arabic, the resolution outlines revised monthly payments, new priority allowances and wider financial, academic and social benefits for Emirati students pursuing bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees outside the UAE.
“The resolution marks a step that strengthens the competitiveness of national talent through a system that brings together effective governance and strategic direction, aligns scholarship pathways with national economic needs,” MoHESR said in a statement on X.
The ministry explained that the package of financial, academic and social benefits would give students a more stable and supportive experience while preparing Emirati talent to lead priority economic sectors and future-focused industries.
Funding and Allowances
For full-time scholarship students, the resolution sets out monthly allowance, priority allowance, tuition fees, annual economy-class travel tickets, health insurance, a Dh6,000 yearly allowance for study materials, graduation and shipping allowance, and academic excellence incentives.
Unmarried bachelor's students will receive Dh17,000 in monthly allowance, while married recipients will be paid Dh25,500. Monthly allowances for master's and doctoral students have been set at Dh20,000 for unmarried recipients and Dh30,000 for those who are married.
Students may also receive an additional monthly priority allowance when their specialisation, university or country meets criteria approved by the ministry.
Where several categories apply, one payment will be made at the highest applicable rate, while the minister will set and update the categories and amounts.
Graduation allowances will give students a payment equal to one month's allowance, along with Dh2,000 towards shipping costs when they return to the UAE, while those with outstanding academic performance may qualify for another one-month payment.
The study readiness and settlement payment, now raised to Dh30,000, will be made once at the start of the scholarship to cover preparation, travel and initial living costs in the country of study. It will not be paid again when a scholarship is postponed or suspended, or when the recipient changes university or country.
Eligible spouses and children under 18 who live with the recipient abroad may receive comprehensive health insurance, an annual cash amount equivalent to an economy-class return ticket and financial support equal to 50% of the student's monthly allowance.
The benefits do not apply when dependants receive the same support from another body or when an accompanying spouse falls within specified scholarship or paid study leave categories.
Scholarships remain limited to universities, specialisations and countries on lists the ministry will review and publish annually.
Priority status will be assessed against criteria including national and labour-market needs, international rankings, institutional partnerships, destination diversity and the UAE's scientific, research or economic ties.
Eligibility and Obligations
Applicants must be UAE citizens, pass a personal interview, commit to full-time studies outside the country and meet national service requirements where applicable.
Recipients must remain enrolled in their approved programme, follow the agreed study plan and obtain written permission before taking on employment or voluntary work.
They also cannot hold another full scholarship or grant at the same time - unless approved by the ministry - and cannot be awarded a second scholarship for a degree they already hold.
Where the ministry approves funding from another body, it may pay the difference between that support and the benefits due under the resolution.
The ministry can terminate scholarships for reasons including unauthorised employment, declining academic performance after a third and final warning, fraud involving academic records or certificates, and receiving another scholarship without approval.
Separately, it may recover payments in cases including unjustified withdrawal, repeated failure, unauthorised financial assistance, breaches of the scholarship contract or failure to complete the required period of national service after graduation.
Scholarship students must return after graduation and serve the UAE for at least the length of their scholarship, unless their contract sets a different period.
The resolution will take effect on the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.
