The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has issued Ministerial Resolution No. (179) of 2026, introducing a unified framework for the national scholarship programme. The resolution, announced on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, sets out conditions, requirements, and procedures for awarding scholarships to Emirati students, with a stronger emphasis on the country's economic priorities.
Priority Groups in Scholarship Selection
According to Gulf News, the resolution identifies specific groups that will receive preference during the application and evaluation process. These include children of martyrs, students benefiting from social support programmes, and those residing in remote areas. Additionally, selection will consider academic performance, the chosen field of study, the quality of the target institution, and the type of academic admission offered.
"This approach aims to ensure that scholarships are directed towards the most deserving and qualified national talent," the ministry stated.
Eight New Priority Countries
The resolution designates eight countries as priority scholarship destinations: China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Finland. The ministry said the selection reflects a deliberate effort to broaden opportunities to top global academic destinations that can prepare national talent for future economic and knowledge-based development.
Institutions in these countries must meet updated ranking benchmarks. Universities ranked in the global top 50 for a specific subject qualify regardless of their overall position. For the United States and Australia, institutions must place in the top 100 for both subject and overall rankings. Other English-speaking countries require a top 200 standing in both categories, while non-English-speaking destinations must fall within the top 300 for subject and overall rankings.
Priority Fields of Study
The resolution also identifies eight fields of study that will receive preference, all tied to sectors the UAE considers critical to its future growth. These are energy, transport and logistics, technology and engineering, healthcare, water and the environment, creative industries, science, and finance.
The ministry said the resolution builds on existing federal laws and Cabinet decisions, aiming to regulate the scholarship system, improve the efficiency of government spending, and raise the quality of academic programmes available to Emirati students.
In related news, Legit.ng earlier reported on the UAE's public holidays, which reflect the nation's cultural traditions and modern identity.
