The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced Ministerial Resolution No. 179 of 2026 on August 18, 2026, setting updated rules for the national scholarship system. The changes cover priority student groups, approved universities and destinations, priority fields of study, scholarship holders’ responsibilities and procedures for managing scholarships.
- Location: United Arab Emirates; scholarships cover approved overseas study destinations
- Organisation: UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR)
- When: Ministerial Resolution No. 179 of 2026 was announced on August 18, 2026
- Who is affected: Emirati students applying for or receiving national scholarships
- What changes: Updated rules for student selection, university rankings, priority fields and scholarship management
- Why it matters: The system is being aligned more closely with the UAE’s economic priorities and future labour market needs
- Current status: The resolution is part of the UAE’s updated national scholarship framework; students should check the Ministry’s approved university and programme requirements before applying.
The UAE has introduced new scholarship rules for Emirati students under Ministerial Resolution No. 179 of 2026. Announced by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on August 18, the resolution updates how national scholarships are awarded and managed, including rules for eligible universities, study fields, student selection and scholarship obligations. The changes matter because the UAE is linking overseas education more closely to strategic sectors and future labour market needs.
What is Ministerial Resolution No. 179 of 2026?
Ministerial Resolution No. 179 of 2026 sets out the conditions, requirements and procedures governing scholarships for Emirati students. According to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the framework builds on existing federal legislation and Cabinet decisions and is intended to strengthen governance, improve academic outcomes and support the efficient use of government funding.
The resolution also defines the rights and obligations of scholarship students and reinforces fairness and transparency in allocating scholarship opportunities, according to the WAM-reported announcement.
Which Emirati students will receive priority consideration?
The Ministry’s announcement, as reported by Gulf News and other UAE media, identifies several groups for priority consideration during the scholarship evaluation process. These include children of martyrs, beneficiaries of social support programmes and students living in remote areas.
Priority consideration does not replace the wider selection criteria. Applications are also assessed based on academic performance, the importance of the chosen field of study, the quality of the educational institution and the type of admission.
The full text of Ministerial Resolution No. 179 of 2026 was not independently available in the official sources reviewed for this article. These specific priority-group provisions are therefore attributed to the Ministry’s announcement as reported by UAE media.
Which universities can Emirati scholarship students attend?
The UAE’s scholarship system uses internationally recognised rankings to determine whether a university and programme meet the Ministry’s requirements.
According to MoHESR’s official approved-universities list for the 2026 scholarship cycles, a university can qualify if it is:
- Ranked among the world’s top 50 in the intended field of study; or
- Ranked in the top 100, along with the relevant programme, in the US or Australia; or
- Ranked in the top 200 in other eligible countries; or
- Ranked in the top 300 for universities and programmes in non-English-speaking countries.
The Ministry’s official wording should be checked against the latest approved university list before students accept an admission offer, as scholarship eligibility depends on the approved criteria and the specific programme.
The updated system also expands the UAE’s international academic links. Official scholarship information highlights destinations including China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Finland.
Which fields of study are prioritised under the new UAE scholarship rules?
The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is prioritising academic fields connected to sectors expected to play a major role in the country’s future economy.
These include:
- Energy
- Finance
- Transport and logistics
- Technology and engineering
- Healthcare
- Water and the environment
- Creative industries
- Science
MoHESR’s approved scholarship information includes specialisations within these wider sectors, such as renewable energy, financial technology, aviation, aerospace, biotechnology, health technology and advanced manufacturing. The Ministry states that admission opportunities are higher in priority-sector specialisations and reserves the right to reject offers that do not align with its strategic directions.
What responsibilities do UAE scholarship students have?
Students receiving national scholarships are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress and comply with the conditions governing their studies.
According to the Ministry’s announcement, scholarship holders must also represent the UAE appropriately while abroad, disclose other financial support or scholarships and inform the Ministry about changes that could affect their studies.
The framework also covers situations involving scholarship deferrals, pauses, resumptions, extensions and cancellations. It includes provisions for distance learning and allows flexibility in exceptional circumstances while maintaining oversight of public funding.
With the necessary approvals, students may also be able to take courses at another institution through joint programmes, cooperation agreements or exchange schemes when the arrangement adds clear academic value.
How is the UAE connecting scholarships with future jobs?
The updated rules are part of a broader effort to connect scholarship funding with national workforce needs.
MoHESR says the national scholarship programme currently supports around 500 students studying bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes at leading universities worldwide. The Ministry has also partnered with more than 10 national institutions across priority sectors to align academic specialisations with labour market needs and support graduates’ career pathways.
The Ministry has identified organisations including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Emirates Global Aluminium, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and UAE University as part of these partnerships. The approach is intended to connect education with specialised training and employment opportunities after graduation.
Official Ministry data previously showed that 503 Emirati students were on scholarships and 184 new scholarship students had been selected to study at more than 60 top-ranked universities.
For Emirati students, the updated UAE scholarship rules make the Ministry’s priorities clearer: academic quality, approved institutions and programmes, and fields connected to the country’s future economy.
Students considering overseas study should not assume that admission to a well-known university automatically guarantees scholarship eligibility. The university, programme and field of study must meet the Ministry’s applicable criteria.
The wider impact is also economic. By directing scholarships towards sectors such as energy, healthcare, technology, logistics and finance, the UAE is aiming to develop national talent for industries where specialised skills will be increasingly important.
The next step for prospective applicants is to review the latest approved university and major requirements issued by MoHESR before applying or accepting an overseas admission offer.
FAQs
Who announced the new UAE scholarship rules?
The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced Ministerial Resolution No. 179 of 2026 on August 18, 2026.
What is the main purpose of the new scholarship resolution?
According to the Ministry, the resolution aims to improve scholarship governance and academic outcomes while aligning government-funded education with national priorities and future labour market needs.
Which fields are prioritised for UAE scholarships?
Priority sectors include energy, finance, transport and logistics, technology and engineering, healthcare, water and the environment, creative industries and science.
Can Emirati students study at any overseas university with a UAE scholarship?
No. The university and programme must meet MoHESR’s approved ranking and eligibility requirements, which vary according to the destination and type of institution.
How many students does the UAE national scholarship programme support?
MoHESR has said the programme supports around 500 students across bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes at universities worldwide. A previous Ministry update recorded 503 Emirati students on scholarships.
The UAE’s new scholarship framework gives Emirati students clearer guidance on where and what they can study while strengthening the link between overseas education and the country’s long-term workforce plans. As eligibility depends on approved universities, programmes and strategic fields, prospective scholars should check the latest MoHESR criteria before making their study plans.
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