When it comes to graduate research scholarships in the Arab world, one name consistently stands at the top — King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). Located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, KFUPM is not just the Arab world’s leading university in engineering and science — it is also one of the most generous institutions when it comes to fully funding its graduate students.
The KFUPM Scholarship 2026 is open to outstanding local and international applicants who wish to pursue a Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in engineering, science, computing, or business. With a global ranking of 67th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, KFUPM is currently the top-ranked university in the Arab region, making this scholarship one of the most competitive in the Middle East.
If you are a motivated researcher with a strong academic record and a passion for making a real-world impact, this scholarship could be your gateway to a world-class education — completely free of charge.
🎓 Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Scholarship Name | KFUPM Graduate Scholarship 2026 |
| Host University | King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) |
| Country | Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 |
| City | Dhahran |
| Degree Level | MS (Thesis-Based) & PhD |
| Open To | Local & International Students (All Nationalities) |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Official Website | cgis.kfupm.edu.sa |
🎓 About KFUPM
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals was founded in 1963 and has grown into one of the most respected research universities in the world, particularly in engineering, petroleum sciences, and applied technology. These programs are designed to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, and students benefit from a high-quality campus environment in Dhahran, including modern labs, recreational facilities, and a private beach.
The university’s College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies (CGIS) oversees all graduate admissions and scholarship awards, ensuring that every admitted scholar receives the support they need to thrive academically and professionally.
🎓 Scholarship Benefits / Funding
Distinguished graduate applicants who demonstrate exceptional qualifications and performance with a high GPA can be admitted as full-time MS or PhD students with a full scholarship. Scholarships are offered for all PhD programs and PhD Direct Entry Programs.
Here is a full breakdown of what the KFUPM Scholarship covers:
Core Benefits (All Scholars):
- ✅ Full tuition fee waiver — no cost for the entire degree
- ✅ Monthly stipend based on scholarship category
- ✅ Free fully furnished, air-conditioned on-campus housing (utilities and maintenance included)
- ✅ Medical and dental care
- ✅ Subsidized meals at the university cafeteria
- ✅ Free textbooks
Additional Benefits:
- ✅ Air tickets for international students (travel to and from KFUPM)
- ✅ Opportunity to become a Research Assistant (RA-PhD) with additional financial benefits
- ✅ Funding to attend and present at international research conferences (under specific conditions)
- ✅ Opportunity to work on funded research projects and earn additional financial support
- ✅ Access to the main university library, department resource centers, and modern research labs
- ✅ Safe, secure, and well-maintained campus environment
- ✅ Recreational facilities including a private beach
Important Note on Direct PhD Programme: The duration of the Direct PhD program is five years. Full scholarship will be provided for the first four years of the Direct PhD program.
🎓 Available Programmes
KFUPM offers a wide range of graduate programmes across its colleges. Scholarship-eligible programmes include:
College of Engineering:
- Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and more
College of Computing and Mathematics:
- Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Information and Computer Science
College of Sciences:
- Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Biology
College of Industrial Management (Business):
- MBA, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting
Interdisciplinary & Emerging Fields:
- Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics, Sustainable and Renewable Energy, Business Analytics
New academic programs, including Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Business Analytics, have been launched, and these programs are aligned with the future job market and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
KFUPM scholarship eligibility varies slightly depending on the degree level. Here is a clear breakdown:
For PhD – Direct Entry (Recommended for Bachelor’s holders):
- Four-year Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 in the BS degree
- TOEFL iBT minimum 80 | IELTS minimum 6.5 | Duolingo minimum 120
- (English requirement waived for KFUPM graduates and graduates from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, or New Zealand)
For Regular PhD Programme:
- Master’s degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 in both BS and MS degrees
- TOEFL iBT minimum 80 | IELTS minimum 6.5 | Duolingo minimum 120
- Two letters of recommendation (preferably from graduate-level faculty)
For MS (Thesis-Based) — Scholarship Applicants:
- Four-year Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science
- Minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 for scholarship consideration (2.50/4.00 for self-funded applicants)
- TOEFL iBT minimum 70 | IELTS minimum 6.0 | Duolingo minimum 105
- Two letters of recommendation
For MS (Project-Based):
- Recognized Bachelor’s degree
- GPA of 2.5/4.00 or equivalent
- TOEFL iBT 70+ | IELTS 6.0+ | Duolingo 105+
- Two recommendation letters
- Short introductory video (max 2 minutes)
- Non-refundable processing fee of SAR 100 + VAT
For MBA / Business Programmes:
- Four-year Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or science
- GPA of 2.5/4.00 minimum
- TOEFL iBT 69+ | IELTS 6.0+
- At least 3 years of work experience
- Three recommendation letters
- GMAT/GRE optional but strengthens application
🎓 Who Should Apply
This scholarship is ideal for you if:
- You are a Bachelor’s or Master’s holder in engineering, science, computing, or business
- You have a strong GPA (3.00 or above on a 4.0 scale)
- You want to pursue research in energy, technology, AI, cybersecurity, or petroleum sciences
- You are looking for a fully funded graduate opportunity in the Middle East
- You want to work alongside industry giants like Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and Halliburton
You may not be the right fit if:
- Your GPA falls below the minimum scholarship threshold
- You are not interested in thesis-based or research-focused study
- Your field of study is not offered at KFUPM
- You are unable to commit to full-time study and residence on campus
🎓 Required Documents
Based on the official KFUPM admissions requirements, applicants generally need to prepare:
- Valid passport copy (international applicants) or national ID (Saudi applicants)
- Official transcripts from all previous degrees (BS and MS if applicable)
- Degree certificates (BS and MS)
- Statement of Purpose — a one-page essay detailing your career and research goals at KFUPM
- Two academic recommendation letters (submitted through the online recommendation system)
- English proficiency test scores: TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo (as applicable)
- GMAT or GRE scores (required for MBA; optional but helpful for other programmes)
- CV mentioning your academic background and work experience
- Short video (for MS Project-Based applicants only — max 2 minutes)
🎓 Application Process
The KFUPM scholarship application is integrated with the graduate admissions process. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Official CGIS Portal — Go to https://cgis.kfupm.edu.sa
- Select Your Programme — Choose between MS (Thesis-Based), PhD, Direct PhD, Project-Based MS, or MBA
- Complete the Online Application Form — Fill in all personal, academic, and programme details
- Upload Required Documents — Submit transcripts, certificates, test scores, SOP, and ID copy
- Recommendation Letters — Referees receive a system link to submit their letters electronically
- Await Decision — Applications are reviewed holistically; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
- Scholarship Award — Scholarship offers are communicated alongside admission decisions
📧 Contact: d-cgs@kfupm.edu.sa 📞 Phone: +966 (13) 860 2800 📍 Location: Building 68, KFUPM Campus, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
🎓 Important Dates
While KFUPM runs rolling admissions with multiple intakes per year, typical deadlines are:
| Intake | Approximate Deadline |
| Fall Semester | Around June of the same year |
| Spring Semester | Around October of the previous year |
Always verify the current deadlines directly on the official CGIS portal, as dates are updated each cycle.
🎓 Fee Structure for Self-Sponsored (Non-Scholarship) Students
For students who do not receive a full scholarship, the following fee structure applies:
| Nationality | Registration Fee (1st admission to 1st Thesis semester) | Registration Fee (2nd Thesis semester onwards) | Fee per Credit Hour |
| Saudi | SAR 5,000/semester | SAR 2,500/semester | SAR 500 |
| Non-Saudi | SAR 7,500/semester | SAR 3,750/semester | SAR 500 |
🎓 Why Study at KFUPM, Saudi Arabia?
There are very strong reasons why thousands of students from around the world apply to KFUPM every year:
- Arab World’s #1 University: KFUPM is currently the top-ranked university in the Arab region with a global QS ranking of 67th in 2026.
- Industry Powerhouse: KFUPM sits at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s energy and technology ecosystem, with deep connections to Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Halliburton, and other global giants
- Vision 2030 Alignment: Scholars become part of Saudi Arabia’s transformational national development journey
- Research Funding: Scholars can access project-based research funding and RA positions on top of their scholarship
- Private Beach & World-Class Facilities: The Dhahran campus is known for its outstanding quality of life
- Tax-Free Stipend: Monthly allowances are paid in full with no deductions
- No Bond Required: International graduates are free to return to their home countries after completing their degrees
🎓 Official Source
For full programme details, current deadlines, and to begin your application, visit the official pages below:
🔗 KFUPM Scholarship Page: https://cgis.kfupm.edu.sa/admission/kfupm-scholarship 🔗 Admission Requirements: https://cgis.kfupm.edu.sa/admission/admissionrequirement 🔗 Apply Online: https://cgis.kfupm.edu.sa/apply
🎓 Scholarship Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| Scholarship Name | KFUPM Graduate Scholarship 2026 |
| University | King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals |
| Country | Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 |
| Degree Level | MS (Thesis-Based), PhD, Direct PhD |
| Open To | All Nationalities |
| Tuition | Fully Covered |
| Monthly Stipend | Yes (Category-Based) |
| Housing | Free Furnished On-Campus |
| Flight Tickets | Yes (International Students) |
| Medical Care | Yes (Medical & Dental) |
| Textbooks | Free |
| Bond | None |
| Application | Online via CGIS Portal |
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