Dubai’s KHDA opens applications for Dh1.1b Hamdan bin Mohammed scholarship
Check if you are among top 100 students eligible for 2nd year of prestigious scholarship
With a total budget of Dh 1.1 billion, the scholarship provides 100 fully funded placements each year for top-performing Emirati high school graduates to study at the world’s highest-ranking universities.
Launched in 2024 under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, the programme is a key pillar of Dubai Social Agenda 33 and is aligned with the emirate’s Education 33 strategy.
Who can apply, when and where
Eligible students can apply from May 8 to June 30, via the Dubai Now app, under the “Emirati” section.
Students applying must be Dubai citizens with a family book and must have completed high school in the 2022-23, 2023-24 or 2024-25 academic years. Applicants must not have received any other scholarship offers.
The scholarship is open to outstanding Emirati students who have graduated from public and private schools in the UAE, and will cover tuition, living expenses, and travel costs, KHDA had said last year.
Full details on eligibility and programme benefits are available on the KHDA website.
Dr Amna Al Maazmi, CEO of Growth and Human Development at KHDA, said: “The Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme is a powerful investment in our youth by our wise leadership, and a key pillar of the Education 33 strategy and Dubai Social Agenda 33. By equipping the next generation of Emiratis with global knowledge and experience, we are helping them realise their potential and contribute to building a more dynamic, sustainable, and innovative future for Dubai.”
First cohort
The programme drew a strong response from high-achieving Emirati students in its first year. A total of 321 Emirati students from schools across the UAE have applied in the first year.
All recipients of the scholarship were accepted into universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, or into programmes ranked among the top 100 globally. Around 15% of the first cohort are enrolled in universities ranked in the world’s top 20, or in programmes ranked among the top 10 globally.
Students chose to pursue their undergraduate studies in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, choosing a wide range of specialisations, from technology, computer science and engineering to medicine, law and finance, reflecting Dubai’s future-focused development priorities.
“We are proud of the achievements of the first cohort, and we look forward to supporting more outstanding students as they take their first steps toward becoming global citizens and future leaders, and we encourage Emirati families across Dubai to take advantage of this prestigious opportunity. By supporting their children’s academic journey and personal aspirations, families play an essential role in building a strong and prosperous future for our community and our city,” added Al Maazmi.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
