1. Saudi Arabia: Large-scale government funding and Vision 2030 alignment

Saudi Arabia operates one of the most extensive scholarship ecosystems in the Middle East, closely aligned with its national development agenda.

Government scholarships

The flagship national program is the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP). While KASP is best known for funding study abroad, it also supports students enrolled in selected Saudi universities and strategic domestic programs.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has also launched Vision 2030–linked domestic scholarships, targeting fields such as:

• Engineering and applied sciences

• Artificial intelligence and data science

• Health and medical sciences

• Energy, sustainability, and environmental studies

These scholarships typically cover:

• Full tuition

• Monthly living allowance

• Health insurance

• Academic support and mentoring

University-based scholarships

Leading public universities such as King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals offer:

• Merit-based scholarships for top-performing students

• Research assistantships for graduate students

• Fully funded PhD tracks in STEM fields

Private and semi-private funding

New private institutions and specialized academies increasingly provide scholarships to attract high-achieving students, especially in business, computing, and emerging technologies. These awards often combine tuition discounts with paid internships.

2. United Arab Emirates: Merit-driven and research-focused scholarships

The UAE has positioned itself as a regional education hub, and scholarships are a key part of this strategy.

Government-supported university scholarships

One of the most prominent examples is Khalifa University, which offers some of the most generous graduate scholarships in the region.

Typical Khalifa University funding packages include:

• 100% tuition coverage

• Monthly stipend (especially for master’s and PhD students)

• Accommodation or housing allowance

• Health insurance

• Research funding and conference support

These scholarships are highly competitive and focus heavily on:

• Engineering

• Computer science

• Energy and sustainability

• Biomedical sciences

Federal and public universities

Institutions such as the United Arab Emirates University provide:

• Merit-based scholarships for undergraduates

• Research assistantships for graduate students

• Tuition waivers for outstanding international applicants

Private university scholarships

Private universities in the UAE commonly offer:

• Partial tuition waivers (25%–50%)

• Academic excellence scholarships

• Sibling and alumni discounts

These are particularly common in business, media, IT, and design programs.

3. Qatar: Fully funded education through national foundations

Qatar’s scholarship system is closely tied to national foundations rather than standalone ministries.

Qatar Foundation–linked scholarships

Universities operating under the Qatar Foundation umbrella offer some of the most comprehensive funding packages in the region.

Students admitted to institutions in Education City may receive:

• Full tuition coverage

• Monthly stipends

• Accommodation

• Health insurance

These scholarships support study at internationally affiliated universities while remaining physically based in Qatar.

Public university funding

Qatar University offers:

• Full scholarships for Qatari nationals

• Competitive funding for international students

• Research-based scholarships for graduate study

Priority areas include science, engineering, education, and public policy.

4. Egypt: Scholarships through public universities and private foundations

Egypt has a more decentralized scholarship system compared to Gulf countries, but still offers meaningful funding opportunities.

Public university scholarships

Major public institutions such as Cairo University and Ain Shams University provide:

• Tuition reductions for high-performing students

• Scholarships for postgraduate research

• Faculty-sponsored assistantships

These scholarships are often competitive and linked to academic performance.

Private universities and foundations

Private institutions like The American University in Cairo operate robust financial aid and scholarship programs, including:

• Merit-based scholarships

• Need-based grants

• Named foundation scholarships

While tuition fees are higher, scholarship coverage can be substantial for top students.

5. Jordan: Targeted funding and international-oriented programs

Jordan’s scholarship landscape emphasizes academic excellence and international engagement.

Public university scholarships

Universities such as the University of Jordan and Jordan University of Science and Technology offer:

• Government-supported scholarships for nationals

• Limited merit-based funding for international students

• Research assistant roles for graduate students

Foundation and sector-based support

Jordan is notable for scholarships linked to:

• Public policy and development studies

• Health sciences

• Engineering and technology

Many students combine partial scholarships with low living costs, making Jordan one of the more affordable study destinations in the region.

6. Lebanon: Merit-based support in a challenging environment

Despite economic challenges, Lebanon maintains a strong tradition of academic excellence supported by scholarships.

Universities such as the American University of Beirut provide:

• Merit-based scholarships

• Need-based financial aid

• Graduate fellowships and assistantships

These programs aim to retain academic talent and support students in research-intensive fields, particularly in social sciences, medicine, and engineering.