Zayed Education Foundation selects first 50 Ruwwad Zayed scholars from more than 950 applicants
ABU DHABI- The Zayed Education Foundation has selected the first 50 scholars for its flagship Ruwwad Zayed scholarship and leadership program, choosing them from more than 950 applicants for the 2026–27 academic year.
The inaugural cohort brings together high-potential Emirati and Arab youth from 12 nationalities, including 18 Emiratis, with women accounting for 37 of the 50 places. The scholars will pursue 18 different master’s programs across eight UAE universities, studying fields aligned with national and regional priorities such as artificial intelligence, data science, public health, governance, urban planning and the arts.
Full funding and leadership development
Ruwwad Zayed provides full tuition funding and a monthly living stipend calibrated to financial need, alongside a tailored leadership development curriculum, mentoring, wellbeing support and access to internships and career opportunities. Scholars will also join a lifelong network connecting them to peers, universities, mentors and partners, designed to enable cross-disciplinary collaboration and community impact during and after their studies.
A foundation spokesperson said the program is intended to develop specialists and purpose-driven leaders who can work across institutions on priorities ranging from AI and public health to governance and urban development. “Ruwwad Zayed is designed to develop and connect those people, empowering them to bring their ideas to life and turn individual opportunity into wider benefit for society,” the spokesperson said.
Selection process and participating universities
Candidates were assessed through a multi-stage process examining academic records, motivations, personal qualities, leadership potential and commitment to using their education for community benefit. The scholars will study at Abu Dhabi University, American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates University, University of Sharjah and Zayed University.
Applications for the next round of Ruwwad Zayed scholarships will open later this year, with further details to be announced by the Zayed Education Foundation.
Foundation’s wider ambition
Launched with the support and oversight of the National Projects Office of the Presidential Court, the Zayed Education Foundation aims to empower 100,000 young leaders by 2035 through transformative programs in education, leadership, research and collaboration. Guided by the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the foundation seeks to redefine leadership through a regional lens that unites heritage with innovation and character with capability.
