MBZUAI Graduate AI Scholarship
MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence) is the world's first graduate-only AI research university, opened in 2020 at Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Critically, MBZUAI fully funds 100% of its admitted students — every Master's and PhD admitted to MBZUAI receives free tuition, free accommodation, full health insurance, a monthly stipend (AED 8,000/month for Master's = LKR 696k/month; AED 10,000/month for PhD = LKR 870k/month), and an annual return airfare home. Programmes are offered in Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Robotics, and Computer Science. Sri Lankan applicants with strong computer science / mathematics backgrounds and research interest in AI are exactly the target profile.
Fall 2027 intake: applications open August 2026 — Priority Deadline 15 January 2027; Final Deadline 15 March 2027
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Fully Funded (100% of admitted)
Duration
2 yrs (Master's) / 4 yrs (PhD)
Extras
Stipend + Accommodation + Flights
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
Full Tuition + AED 8,000-10,000/Month + Accommodation + Health. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Math/Eng
Master's applicants need a Bachelor's in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a closely-related quantitative field. PhD applicants need a Master's in the same fields. Sri Lankan applicants from Moratuwa CS/EE, Colombo Stat/Math, or strong private CS programmes (SLIIT, IIT, Informatics Institute) are typical.
Strong Academic Record
Master's applicants need a Bachelor's GPA of 3.2+/4.0 (typically first-class or strong second-upper). PhD applicants need a Master's GPA of 3.5+/4.0 plus demonstrated research output (publications, conference papers, or strong final-year project).
Programming + Math Background
MBZUAI specifically looks for strong programming (Python, C++) and mathematical foundations (linear algebra, calculus, probability, statistics). Coursework in machine learning, AI, or computational courses is strongly preferred.
Standardised Tests
GRE is recommended (Quant 160+) but not strictly required. IELTS 6.5+ (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 91+ is required. Sri Lankan candidates with English-medium CS degrees can request an MOI-letter waiver.
account_tree Application Process
Identify research area + supervisor
Browse MBZUAI faculty pages and identify potential supervisors whose research aligns with your interests. For PhD especially, informal email contact strengthens your application significantly. Master's applicants can apply without pre-arranged supervisors.
Submit application by 15 January
Apply via the MBZUAI online portal. Required: application form, statement of purpose, research statement (PhD), CV, transcripts, three recommendations, IELTS/TOEFL, GRE (optional). Submit by Priority Deadline (15 January 2027) for best funding consideration — though all admitted students get funded.
Interview round
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed (virtually) by MBZUAI faculty. Interviews focus on technical knowledge, research interests, and motivation. Interviews are typically held in February-April.
Offer + UAE student visa
Admitted students receive an offer letter automatically confirming full funding. MBZUAI handles UAE student visa processing for all admitted students. Programme starts in August (Fall intake).
Why MBZUAI?
MBZUAI is the world's first graduate-only AI-focused research university, founded by the UAE government with a USD 500M+ initial endowment. Faculty include leading global AI researchers; the university has rapidly published in top venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR). The student body is small (~200-300 across Master's and PhD), allowing dense faculty interaction. Located at Masdar City, Abu Dhabi — a planned sustainable city with the world's lowest carbon footprint per capita.
2020
Year Founded
100%
Of Admitted Are Funded
Abu Dhabi
Masdar City Campus
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
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Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
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