Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid Distinguished Students Programme is now accepting applications from Emirati students for the coming school year, which starts in September.

Open to Emirati students from Dubai, the programme offers full tuition scholarship at private Dubai schools rated ‘very good’ or ‘outstanding’.

The programme was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during the Future Dialogue session to discuss the Dubai 2021 Plan.

It will be implemented at the beginning of the next academic year (2017-2018). The programme is being rolled out by Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and selected students will start classes from the new academic year in September.

Registration for the programme started on Tuesday and will be open till May 9 via the KHDA website (https://www.khda.gov.ae/en/mbrscholarship). The website showcases participating schools listed by location and school curricula.

All online applications will be reviewed in accordance with the eligibility criteria and the last day to apply for the programme is May 9.

Fatima Al Merri, CEO of KHDA, said: “Our aim is to ensure every Emirati student receives high quality education and we are opening more pathways to enable greater access to some of the best private schools in Dubai …”