National Research Foundation Grants
Offered by The National Research Foundation (UAE)
Max per student
AED 250,000.00
Closing date
Varies by specific program call
Scholarships awarded
Not Available
Education level
Post Graduate
Related fields of study
Biotechnology
Scholarship type
General
Mode of Study
Full Time
Nationality
UAE researchers
Scholarship
Overview
- The National Research Foundation (NRF) Grants aim to support UAE-based researchers and research institutions in developing joint, high-impact scientific collaborations with international partners.
- For the 2025–2027 cycle, the NRF has partnered with the Dubai Research and Development Establishment (Dubai RDI) and NRF Korea to fund joint research projects in biotechnology, environmental sustainability, and ICT technologies.
- Each selected UAE-led project receives AED 250,000 over a two-year period to support research staff, equipment, travel, and dissemination activities.
Scholarship amount details
Max scholarship per student/project: AED 250,000 (UAE share of joint project funding).
Scholarship amount will be given: Disbursed in two instalments (AED 125,000 per year) over the two-year research duration.
Type of Expense Covered (Yes/No)
| Expense | Covered |
| Tuition & Fees | No |
| Living Expense/Stipend | Yes (For research staff) |
| Accommodation | No |
| Health cover | No |
| Airfare/Travel | Yes |
| Equipment/Lab costs | Yes |
| Others (e.g., application, Conference registration) | Yes |
Scholarship
application details
The application is competitive and typically involves a joint proposal submission (for collaborative calls) by a Principal Investigator (PI) who must be a PhD holder and fully affiliated with an eligible UAE institution. The proposal must outline the methodology, budget, and relevance to the UAE priority sectors.
Document Requirements
- Joint Research Proposal (co-developed by UAE and Korean PIs).
- Detailed Budget Plan (including justifications).
- Project Timeline and Milestones (2 years).
- CVs of all Principal and Co-Investigators.
- Institutional Support Letter from Dubai-based university or research centre.
- Parallel submission on both the Dubai RDI Grants System (UAE) and the NRF Korea IRIS System.
- Supporting documents for ethical compliance, MoU between partner institutions, and project endorsements.
Eligibility Criteria
- UAE Lead PI must be affiliated with a Dubai-based research institution or university.The The
- Korean Lead PI must apply concurrently via NRF Korea.
- Projects must align with the strategic focus areas: Biotechnology, Green Tech, or ICT Integration.
- Research must show measurable impact and collaboration outcomes.
- Team members (including graduate students) must have research experience relevant to the proposed topic.
Additional
Info
The NRF's mission is to expand the horizon of knowledge and foster creative activities across all disciplines, ensuring successful projects demonstrate social and economic benefits to the UAE. NRF grants have previously supported projects across science, engineering, and social entrepreneurship, often requiring university-industry collaboration (U-IRCA) as a key criterion.
Top & New Articles
Study in Dubai: Is It Better than USA or UK?
By Pritam Rathi
March 28, 2025
Study in Dubai: Is It Better than USA or UK?
By Pritam Rathi
March 28, 2025
Study in Dubai: Is It Better than USA or UK?
By Pritam Rathi
March 28, 2025
Study in Dubai: Is It Better than USA or UK?
By Pritam Rathi
March 28, 2025
Study in Dubai: Is It Better than USA or UK?
By Pritam Rathi
March 28, 2025
Study in Dubai: Is It Better than USA or UK?
By Pritam Rathi
March 28, 2025
Study in Dubai: Is It Better than USA or UK?
By Pritam Rathi
March 28, 2025
FAQs
Indian students can apply for UAE universities or government scholarships by researching available opportunities through official university websites and platforms like StudyfromUAE. Students typically need strong academics, English proficiency, and supporting documents. Some scholarships are need-based or merit-based, and others are tied to specific programs or fields of study.
The UAE offers several government-funded scholarships for international students, including Indians. Examples include Khalifa University Scholarships, Masdar Institute Scholarships, and the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Scholarships. These are highly competitive and generally require excellent academic performance, recommendation letters, and English language proficiency scores like IELTS or TOEFL.
International students can apply for merit-based, need-based, or program-specific scholarships offered by UAE universities like Khalifa University, UAEU, and the University of Sharjah. Government grants and corporate sponsorships are also available. Platforms like StudyfromUAE list updated scholarships with eligibility, deadlines, and application guides.
Most universities in the UAE offer partial scholarships covering 20% to 80% of tuition fees for undergraduate and master’s programs. These are awarded based on merit, financial need, or leadership potential. Partial funding is more common than full scholarships, and students can increase their chances by applying early with strong credentials.
Eligibility varies, but typically includes academic excellence (e.g., 85%+), English language proficiency, and extracurricular achievements. Some scholarships also consider financial need or specific program requirements. Each scholarship has its own criteria, so students must review the eligibility on the official university website or the Study from UAE platform.
International students, including those from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Africa, can apply. Eligibility usually depends on academic performance, program type (UG/PG), and English proficiency. Both high school graduates and working professionals pursuing higher education may be eligible.
Yes, Indian students are eligible for merit-based scholarships in UAE universities. These are awarded to students with high academic scores, strong entrance test results, and leadership or extracurricular achievements. Each university defines its own merit criteria, so checking individual policies is important.
Deadlines vary by university and scholarship type, but most fall between March and August for the September intake. Government-funded scholarships may have earlier deadlines. Always check the official university websites or the Study from UAE platform for the most up-to-date timelines.
It’s best to apply 6–12 months before your intended program starts. Some scholarships are offered during admission, while others require a separate application. Early applications often receive priority, especially for merit-based and limited-seat funding options.
Start by identifying the universities and scholarships that match your profile. Prepare necessary documents (transcripts, SOP, reference letters, test scores), and apply through the university’s admissions portal. Some require a separate scholarship application, while others consider all admitted students automatically.
Common documents include academic transcripts, a passport copy, a personal statement/SOP, recommendation letters, proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), and a resume. Some scholarships may also request financial documents, a research proposal (for PG), or test scores like SAT/GRE.
Not all, but most reputed UAE universities offer scholarships for international students. Institutions like Khalifa University, UAE University, and the University of Sharjah have various merit and need-based funding programs. Always check specific university websites or use StudyfromUAE to compare.
Partial merit-based scholarships are generally easier to obtain than fully funded options. Universities often award these based on academic scores (80%+), with less competition. Community-focused scholarships and institutional grants are also more accessible compared to competitive government scholarships.
Focus on academic excellence, standardised test scores, and a compelling SOP. Research universities in Dubai that offer scholarships and apply directly through their portals. Some scholarships are automatic upon admission, while others require a separate application. Use StudyfromUAE to discover active opportunities.
Yes, international students can get scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, or specific study fields. Many UAE universities offer such funding, along with UAE government initiatives. Applying early and submitting a strong application increases your chances.
To apply for a 100% scholarship, target programs that offer full tuition waivers or stipends based on merit or need. Submit a stellar application with high grades, strong test scores, and compelling SOPs. Some UAE universities and government programs do offer fully funded options.
While it varies, most universities require at least 80–90% in your previous academic records for merit-based scholarships. Higher-ranked programs or full scholarships may expect even more. English test scores and extracurricular achievements can also influence eligibility.
No, studying on a visit visa is not allowed. You must obtain a student visa, which is sponsored by the university after you’re admitted and have completed all documentation. A student visa also allows limited work rights and renewals.
Back to Top
Log in with Google
