Funding & benefits
USD 75,000 / annual stipend
Airfare / travel support
Eligible programmes & fields
Use the verified study fields above for subject-fit screening and confirm the exact eligible degree on the provider’s official programme page before applying.
About this opportunity
This postdoctoral fellowship requires a PhD awarded within four calendar years of the application. Applicants must submit their materials through an online portal and include recommendation letters. You need to name up to two KAUST faculty members whose work matches your proposal. Full proposals are accepted from 15 November 2026 to 15 January 2027.
Depending on the award tier or route, verified benefits include USD 75,000 / annual stipend, travel support. The opportunity currently maps to study areas including All study areas. Use the programme and eligibility sections below to decide whether the opportunity matches your academic background before opening the official application portal.
Key dates
Eligibility requirements
- Doctoral degree or equivalent early-career research qualification meeting fellowship eligibility requirements.
- Application and proposal must be in English.
- People of all nationalities are welcome to apply. We encourage female applications to promote a better gender balance in science and engineering.
- Publications required.
- Must have been awarded a Ph.D. degree, within four calendar years - those applying for CALL 2027, must have received their Ph.D. after January 2023 inclusive;; Must expect to complete their Ph.D. before the start of their Fellowship, if Ph.D. is now awarded yet;; Must be ready to move to KAUST to undertake their proposed three-year research project*;; Must identify in the application at least one (up to three) potential KAUST faculty members whose research aligns with the proposed work.**; People of all nationalities are welcome to apply. We encourage female applications to promote a better gender balance in science and engineering.; *Candidates must satisfy all Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requirements to obtain resident status.; **Applications are shared with the named faculty for review; only faculty-supported applications advance to the full proposal stage. If you've already secured a host, are affiliated with KAUST, or are joining KAUST, name only that one faculty.; Focus on one or more of the KAUST research missions: Water, Food, Health, Energy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Red Sea;; Have an outline for a three-year duration;; Follow the budget and financial guidelines of the call;; Use the provided Call 2027 templates for the Concept Note and the Full Research Proposal (by invitation only); Align with the programs of the KAUST academic divisions:; Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE); Biomedical Sciences Division (BioMed); Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Science and Engineering (CEMSE); Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Requirements: PhD/doctoral degree; Must identify in the application form up to two KAUST Faculty members whose research aligns with the proposed work.Stage 2 of the application process:Applicants who receive Host PI support are invited to submit a full proposal.Full proposals will be accepted from 15 November 2026 to 15 January 2027.General guidelines:Applications must be drafted in English using the provided templates and must be submitted via the online application form.All applications need to be completed with all required documents to be eligible for review at the cut-off dates.; 1
Should you apply?
This is a Postdoctoral-level opportunity working in All study areas. On nationality, the record states: People of all nationalities are welcome to apply. We encourage female applications to promote a better gender balance i…. Expect to prepare 6 documents (listed below).
Check these against your profile
- Academic level: Postdoctoral.
- Study area: All study areas.
- Citizenship / nationality rule: People of all nationalities are welcome to apply. We encourage female applications to promote a better gender balance i….
- Prior degree / academic background: Doctoral degree or equivalent early-career research qualification meeting fellowship eligibility requirements..
- English-language requirement: Application and proposal must be in English..
- Funding package: fully funded.
- Study destination: Saudi Arabia.
Review carefully if
- Applicants who do not hold the required prior degree/background may not be eligible.
- Applicants who cannot meet the stated language requirement should review the official waiver/rule carefully.
This is a factual checklist of verified programme requirements, not a personalised eligibility decision. The awarding institution makes the final eligibility decision.
Required documents
- Use the provided Call 2027 templates for the Letter of Intent and the Full Research Proposal (by invitation only)
- recommendation_letters
- Most recent CV with list of publications (max 4 pages)
- Two reference letters
- Use the provided Call 2027 templates for the Concept Note and the Full Research Proposal (by invitation only)
- Most recent CV with full publications list (max 4 pages)
Application process
- Submit concept note between 1 September and 1 October 2026
- If invited and supported by a host PI, submit full proposal between 15 November 2026 and 15 January 2027
Application checklist
- Compare your profile with the verified eligibility criteria on this page.
- Review the official application page for the complete list of required documents.
- Use the official application route linked on this page rather than a third-party submission form.
- Submit before the verified application timing shown in the Key dates section.
This checklist organises the verified requirements already shown on this page; it does not replace the provider’s official instructions.
Frequently asked questions
How much does KAUST Global Fellowship pay?
It pays a stipend of USD 75,000 / annual.
Is KAUST Global Fellowship fully funded?
Yes. The verified funding record classifies it as fully funded, with a stipend of USD 75,000 / annual.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes. The eligibility record states: People of all nationalities are welcome to apply. We encourage female applications to promote a better gender balance i….
What level of study is it for?
It is for Postdoctoral level researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.
Is an English test required?
Application and proposal must be in English.
Is KAUST Global Fellowship still open?
No. The most recent round has closed (deadline 1 October 2026). This award has run before; check the official page for the next round.
How do I apply?
Submit a concept note in Stage 1; shortlisted applicants with host PI support submit a full proposal in Stage 2.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
Yes, a separate scholarship application is required in addition to admission.
What documents are required?
The official page lists 6 items: Use the provided Call 2027 templates for the Letter of Intent and the Full Research Proposal (by invitation only), recommendation_letters, Most recent CV with list of publications (max 4 pages), Two reference letters, Use the provided Call 2027 templates for the Concept Note and the Full Research Proposal (by invitation only), Most recent CV with full publications list (max 4 pages).
Official sources & verification
ScholarshipFrontier checks official scholarship, admissions and programme pages and keeps source evidence separate from the public summary.
Official sources last checked: 19 Sep 2026 · Verified Sep 19, 2026
About King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is based in Saudi Arabia and publishes this opportunity on its own official pages, which ScholarshipFrontier reads directly.
All verified opportunities from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)