Scholarship at Abdullah University of Science and Technology Saudi Arabia

Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Discovery Scholarship
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is being built in Saudi Arabia as an international, graduate-level research university dedicated to inspiring a new age of scientific achievement in the Kingdom that will also benefit the region and the world.

The KAUST Discovery Scholarship is the general scholarship program of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

The KAUST Discovery Scholarship program is designed to ensure that any highly talented student who is qualified and eligible to enroll in KAUST will receive full financial support while at the University. Those who receive a Discovery Scholarship will receive full tuition support, a living stipend, and summer and career enrichment programs.


KAUST has developed a fair, consistent and transparent selection process for the KAUST Discovery Scholarship. Applicants will be evaluated by the following criteria:
• Academic achievement
• First university or bachelor’s field of study
• Commitment to KAUST goals
• Statement of Purpose
• Demonstrated leadership abilities
• Involvement in related extracurricular activities
• Commitment to matriculate at KAUST upon graduation
• Interview with KAUST representatives or faculty (for finalists only)

Selection Process
• Applications are first reviewed for minimum eligibility.
• The applications of the highest merit are then reviewed by the KAUST global selection panel.
• The global selection panel will then recommend finalists for in-person interviews with KAUST representatives or faculty prior to final selection as Discovery Scholarship recipients.

There are four components to the KAUST Discovery Scholarship application:
• Online student section with essays
• Letters of recommendation
• Official university record of achievement (transcripts)
• Official TOEFL or IELTS English language proficiency score

To qualify for a KAUST Discovery Scholarship, you:
• Must be able to provide an official first-university or bachelor’s university record or transcript documenting coursework taken and highest academic achievement;
• Must be currently enrolled in a first university or bachelor’s degree program in a field of study that is related to the overall KAUST mission (engineering, science, mathematics, environmental science, computer science, etc.);
• Must have the equivalent of a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum major-field-of-study GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
• Must have, at a minimum, one of the following as an English language proficiency test score:
1. 550 TOEFL Paper-Based Test (TOEFL ITP also accepted)
2. 213 TOEFL Computer-Based Test
3. 79-80 TOEFL Internet-Based Test
4. 6.0 IELTS
• Must have completed 80 credit hours, or equivalent, of coursework by the end of the 2008 academic year.
• Must demonstrate academic and research interest and/or leadership potential that can be documented in your Statement of Purpose on the application;
• Must be able and willing to matriculate at KAUST in Saudi Arabia in September 2009 or September 2010; and
• Must be able to travel outside your home country to attend KAUST-sponsored enrichment activities.


All four components must be completed by the deadlines below in order for your application to be reviewed. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered and extensions will not be granted.

The Discovery Application closes May 11, 11:59 pm UTC/GMT -6 hours

You must mail supplemental documents not included in your online application (postmarked) by May 11 or earlier to the KAUST Scholarships application processing center in Houston, USA.

You must scan and e-mail copies of official TOEFL/ IELTS results to scholarships@kaust.edu.sa by July 16. KAUST will not accept practice or predictor tests.

Institute of International Education
KAUST Scholarships
520 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 740
Houston, Texas 77027
U.S.A.

Contact Information for Current Recipients:
Tel: +1 (713) 621-6300, ext 23
Fax: +1 (713) 621-0876

Contact Information for Student Applicants:
e-mail: scholarships@kaust.edu.sa
Tel: +1 (713) 621-6300, ext 23
Fax: +1 (713) 621-0876

Contact Information for University Faculty/Administrators/Recommenders:
Tel: +1 (713) 621-6300, ext 23
Fax: +1 (713) 621-0876

Website: http://www.kaust.edu.sa