- 50 fully funded graduate scholarships launched in the first year
- Leadership training linked to skills, jobs, and national priorities
- Strong university partnerships across the UAE
The Zayed Education Foundation has launched the Ruwwad Zayed program, a new scholarship and leadership initiative aimed at developing the skills and leadership potential of young Emiratis and Arab residents of the UAE.
In its first year, the program will offer 50 fully funded graduate scholarships along with a structured leadership development pathway. The initiative focuses on preparing high-potential students for future careers while equipping them to address complex social, economic, and global challenges.
Selected students will study at leading universities in the UAE and join the first cohort of a growing leadership network. In addition to academic learning, participants will receive mentorship, research opportunities, and a customized leadership curriculum designed to build practical skills, confidence, and community engagement.
The program is delivered in partnership with 10 UAE-based institutions, including Abu Dhabi University, American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, and New York University Abu Dhabi, among others.
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Applications are open until May 29, 2026. In its initial phase, the program will support master’s degrees aligned with national development priorities, with plans to expand to additional academic levels in the future.
Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the foundation, said the program aims to help young people lead with confidence while staying connected to their identity and communities. Inspired by the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the initiative supports the foundation’s goal of empowering 100,000 young leaders by 2035.
