Abu Dhabi announces Tahnoon bin Zayed AI scholarship
Six-year initiative to support next generation AI leaders via MBZUAI
#UAE #education- A new merit-based scholarship programme has been established under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), to support outstanding undergraduate students at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). The Tahnoon bin Zayed Scholarship in AI Excellence will provide financial assistance and development opportunities for approximately 350 students over six years, commencing in the 2025-2026 academic year. The programme’s strict selection criteria will focus on mathematical fluency, leadership and entrepreneurial attitude.
SO WHAT? - The scholarship programme is a strategic investment in developing promising domestic AI talent and attracting the brightest young minds from across the globe. MBZUAI launched its first undergraduate programme earlier this year, marking a departure from the university’s singular focus on post-graduate education and ressearch since officially opening in 2020. So, from the outset, the Tahnoon bin Zayed Scholarship will support students taking this new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence course, which blends core AI expertise with leadership, entrepreneurship and industry experience.
Here are some key points about the new scholarship:
The Tahnoon bin Zayed Scholarship in AI Excellence has been announced to support approximately 350 outstanding undergraduate students at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) over six years, commencing in the 2025-2026 academic year.
The new merit-based scholarship programme has been established under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC).
The programme is open to both national and international students, aiming to attract the brightest and most ambitious minds whilst positioning MBZUAI at the forefront of undergraduate AI education.
Prospective candidates will participate in a rigorous selection process focused on mathematical fluency, leadership capabilities and entrepreneurial attitude.
The programme provides financial support alongside exclusive opportunities for recipients to represent the UAE at high-profile youth events locally and globally, with additional resources to pursue entrepreneurship ventures and technology innovation projects.
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the scholarship aims to empower talented young minds to be active partners in shaping the future as innovators who serve humanity.
MBZUAI’s Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence integrates core technical expertise with leadership, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary study including humanities, business and liberal arts to develop critical and ethical perspectives essential for advancing AI responsibly at scale.
Students throughout the programme will gain hands-on experience through industry placements, internships and mentorships with leading technology and research organisations, benefiting from MBZUAI’s high-performance computational infrastructure, smart classrooms and dedicated incubation spaces.
ZOOM OUT - Officially opened in 2020, MBZUAI is the world’s first graduate-level AI research university, and forms a key part of the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. The institution attracts some of the best and brightest talent from around the world. Abu Dhabi’s AI R&D ecosystem now has the biggest critical mass of AI research talent and arguably the region’s most significant AI research output. Meanwhile, demand for top AI talent continues to increase across the UAE, with investment in AI talent growing fast across commercial and government sectors.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]