Dubai Expands Push to Develop Next Generation of Emirati Leaders

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has opened applications for the third cohort of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme for the 2026–2027 academic year, reinforcing the emirate’s commitment to developing high-potential Emirati talent. Eligible applicants can apply through the “Emirati” section on the Dubai Now app, with submissions open until June 30, 2026. The programme, backed by a total budget of AED 1.1 billion, awards 100 fully funded scholarships each year to outstanding Emirati graduates from both public and private schools.

"With a total budget of AED 1.1 billion, the program awards 100 fully funded scholarships each year to outstanding Emirati graduates from both public and private schools," the KHDA announcement states, underscoring the scale and selectivity of the initiative.

Program details and eligibility

Launched in 2024 under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme is designed to enable students to pursue undergraduate degrees at leading global universities in fields aligned with Dubai’s future economic priorities. According to KHDA, the scholarships target exceptional Emirati students and aim to prepare them to become future leaders and innovators.

• Application portal: "Emirati" section on the Dubai Now app
• Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Budget: AED 1.1 billion
• Number of scholarships: 100 fully funded scholarships per year
• Target group: Outstanding Emirati graduates from public and private schools
• Academic level: Undergraduate degrees at leading global universities

The KHDA has framed the initiative as a component of Dubai’s broader human capital strategy. The programme aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, Dubai Social Agenda 33, and the Education 33 framework, reflecting a coordinated policy approach that links education investment to long-term socio-economic goals. KHDA officials have emphasised that the scholarships will prioritise fields that support Dubai’s economic priorities, positioning recipients to contribute to sectors deemed strategic for the emirate’s future.

Context and significance

As the third cohort opens, the programme builds on its inception in 2024 and represents one of Dubai’s most sizable scholarship commitments. By concentrating on fully funded undergraduate placements at global universities, the KHDA aims to provide a pathway for top-tier Emirati students to access international higher education and return with skills to support national development plans. The initiative explicitly connects to the emirate’s planning frameworks—Economic Agenda D33, Social Agenda 33 and Education 33—indicating that scholarship recipients will be expected to align their studies with broader public policy priorities.

Outlook

With applications open through June 30, 2026, the KHDA’s campaign will identify the next cohort of Emirati students to benefit from the AED 1.1 billion fund. As the programme moves into its third year, its long-term impact will hinge on how scholarship recipients’ fields of study map to Dubai’s evolving economic needs and whether returnees are integrated into public and private sector roles that leverage their international training. For applicants, the Dubai Now app remains the gateway to a scholarship explicitly designed to shape the emirate’s future leadership.