KAUST Global fellowship program

“Turn Your Research Ideas Into Reality“

In 2009 the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) was founded on the eastern shores of the Red Sea and is currently officially recognized as the most acclaimed postgraduate research university in the Middle East. During its first 15 years, KAUST was able to establish itself as the most collaborative and innovative university in Saudi Arabia, and in recognition of that, the KAUST Global Fellowship Program was created! The fellowship program open to international students aims to attract and support outstanding emerging research leaders and scientists from around the world to build their path towards a fully independent career. The program inspires the young generation of scientists and engineers to address global challenges and explore opportunities that benefit humanity. It is a merit based program targets excellent postdocs who have breakthrough ideas that can complement, support, contribute, and advance the major research priorities of KAUST.

Program benefits

1. Three years of funding: Each successful fellow receives up to $40,000 of funding for their research proposal, along with a yearly living stipend of $75,000 plus benefits, including medical insurance, accommodation, schooling for up to 2 children, relocation allowance, and annual travel allowance.
2. Pursuing independent Research: This program offers a truly unique opportunity for early-career researchers to pursue their own research project and expand on their innovative ideas. Early career researchers are presented with the possibility of building their own future career path and transition toward a competitive independent research career.
3. Research Facilities: KAUST provides easy access to all the necessary research tools and equipment Fellows need to fulfill their research goals, with unparalleled laboratory facilities available on campus. Fellows are also supported by their experienced colleagues and can rely on the expertise of their host Principal Investigator.
4. A sense of community: KAUST attracts some of the brightest minds from across the globe, with more than 110 nationalities living, working, and studying on campus, creating a dynamic international environment. KAUST is more than a university; it is a unique ecosystem where education, research, innovation, and industry converge coincide.
5. Personal & Professional Development: The KAUST Global Fellowship Program offers a variety of learning and development programs designed to support and improve Fellows’ existing skills while nurturing and developing new skills. These programs include the KAUST Mentoring Program, the Harvard HE Teaching Certificate, and Leadership programs/ certificates.
6. A Global Network: KAUST has an extensive network of international research partners that facilitate networking opportunities for the KAUST research community to meet a global set of external organizations operating in academia, industry, government agencies, funding bodies, and other external partners.

Eligibility

Interested applicants must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for the program:

• Must have been awarded a Ph.D. degree, within four calendar years (i.e., those applying in January 2026, must have received their Ph.D. after January 2022 inclusive);
• Must expect to complete their Ph.D. before the start of their Fellowship;
• Must be ready to move to KAUST to undertake their proposed three-year research project*;
• Must identify in their application a KAUST faculty member who has confirmed and agreed to host them and their research project, if successful.

Requirements of the proposal:

1. Focus on one or more of the KAUST research priorities: Health & Wellness, Sustainable Environment & Essential Needs, Energy & Industrial Leadership, and Economies of the Future;
2. Have an outline for a three-year duration;
3. Follow the budget and financial guidelines of the call;
4. Use the provided template.

How to apply

Applications for the fellowship program are done through the PlutoEdu platform. All applicants and their referees are required to sign up to the platform for access to the system and online application form.

Note that the application must be drafted in English using the specified templates.

Required documents

1. Most recent CV (Max 4 pages)
2. Two publications 
3. Research proposal 
4. KAUST Host PI letter 

Application deadline

Applications are accepted from July 1st to January 15th each year. All submissions are reviewed after the final deadline on January 15th.

For more details visit the KAUST Global fellowship program’s website.