US Embassy in UAE opens scholarship for students, professionals

Abu Dhabi: The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Fulbright Foreign Student Programme. The prestigious programme offers opportunities for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study and conduct research in the United States.

“The Fulbright Programme is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational and cultural exchange programme, creating connections in a complex and changing world,” the mission stated.

Led by the US government in partnership with 160 countries worldwide, it said the Fulbright offers programmes for passionate and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach, and conduct research, helping to build mutual understanding and find solutions to critical international concerns.

“Fulbrighters enrich their education, advance their career, and make meaningful contributions to communities abroad and at home. As Fulbrighters, they join a network of thousands of alums serving as leaders across the globe,” the Embassy pointed out.

Stipend and health plan

The Fulbright Foreign Student Programme enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to research and study in the United States for one year or longer at US universities or other appropriate institutions.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Programme award includes funding for tuition and required fees; a monthly stipend for reasonable living costs; and a limited health benefits plan.

Participants will be selected through an open, merit-based competition in which leadership potential, academic excellence, and ability to adjust to life in the United States are considered.

The programme is held as part of a collaboration between the United States Mission to the UAE and Amideast UAE, a branch of Amideast, a non-profit organisation dedicated to international education, training, and development in the Middle East and North Africa.

Who is eligible?

Meanwhile, the Embassy has also revealed who is eligible for the scholarship

• UAE nationals with a valid passport and Khulasat Al-Qayd (family book).

• Must reside in the UAE throughout the application process.

• Hold a US-equivalent bachelor’s degree by the programme start date.

• Have at least two years of professional work experience.

• Demonstrate strong academic performance.

• Preference given to those with minimal or no prior experience in the US

• Must be proficient in English or willing to attend a Long-Term English (LTE) programme.

• Applicants from all backgrounds, including people of determination, are encouraged.

• US citizens or legal permanent residents are not eligible to apply.

• Eligible fields include humanities, social sciences, science, technology, and engineering. Clinical studies such as medicine and nursing are not permitted, but non-clinical fields like public health are accepted.

For detailed eligibility criteria and application procedures, those interested can visit the Amideast website and submit applications through the 2026 Fulbright application portal.