About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Applications are now open for the 2027 KAUST Global Fellowship Program, a prestigious three-year research fellowship for outstanding early-career scientists and engineers from around the world.
The programme is hosted by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia and is designed to help emerging research leaders transition toward fully independent research careers.
Global Fellows develop and lead their own research projects while working within KAUST's world-class research environment, facilities and international scientific community.
Research Areas
The 2027 fellowship supports research aligned with KAUST's major research missions:
Water
Food
Health
Energy
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Red Sea / Marine Science
Proposed projects must have a three-year research plan and align with one or more of these missions and the relevant KAUST academic division.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Have been awarded a Ph.D. within four calendar years. For Call 2027, applicants must have received their Ph.D. after January 2023 inclusive.
If the Ph.D. has not yet been awarded, expect to complete it before the Fellowship begins.
Be prepared to relocate to KAUST in Saudi Arabia and undertake the proposed three-year research project.
Identify at least one and up to three potential KAUST faculty members whose research aligns with the proposed project.
Meet the applicable requirements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for obtaining resident status.
Be prepared to conduct the fellowship full-time at KAUST.
Applicants of all nationalities are eligible. KAUST also encourages applications from women in science and engineering.
Important Host-Faculty Requirement
At Stage 1, applicants identify potential KAUST faculty members whose research aligns with their proposed work. A host PI support letter is not required at Stage 1.
Applications are shared with the named faculty for review, and only applications receiving faculty support advance to Stage 2.
Therefore, applicants should carefully research KAUST faculty and choose potential hosts whose expertise genuinely matches their proposed research.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected Global Fellows receive a substantial financial and research package for three years.
Annual Stipend
US$75,000 per year
Equivalent to US$6,250 per month.
KAUST describes this as a competitive stipend accompanied by comprehensive benefits.
Research Funding
Global Fellows can receive up to US$40,000 per year in dedicated research funding, depending on their research area and needs.
The funding can support items such as:
Research-related travel
Conference participation
KAUST Core Lab use
Research consumables
Other approved research expenses
The exact research budget is field/division dependent, so applicants should not assume every Fellow automatically receives the full US$40,000.
Additional Benefits
The package includes:
Medical/health insurance
On-campus accommodation
Relocation allowance
Annual travel assistance
Schooling for eligible children
Daycare support
Access to KAUST's world-class research facilities
Mentoring and professional-development opportunities
Eligible dependents can accompany Fellows to KAUST, with family-related benefits available under KAUST policies.
Professional Development
The fellowship is designed not only to fund research but also to help Fellows establish independent research careers.
Professional-development opportunities include:
KAUST mentoring
Leadership programmes and certificates
Harvard Higher Education Teaching Certificate
Networking with other Global Fellows
Connections with KAUST faculty, researchers and international partners
Access to entrepreneurship and innovation resources
How to apply