The King Fahd University Scholarship 2026 is now officially open for applications, offering one of the most comprehensive fully funded graduate opportunities in the Middle East. The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) invites talented students worldwide to pursue Master’s and PhD programs in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. In particular, students seeking fully funded scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2026 will find this program especially compelling. Not only does it cover full tuition and monthly stipends, but it also includes free accommodation, health insurance, and return airfare. Furthermore, there is no application fee whatsoever.
What truly sets the KFUPM Scholarship apart from other fully funded scholarships in the Middle East is its extraordinary global research partnership network. Specifically, KFUPM collaborates actively with MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, and Caltech, among others. As a result, selected scholars access research environments connected directly to the world’s most prestigious institutions. Moreover, KFUPM consistently ranks among the leading universities in the Arab region. Consequently, a KFUPM degree carries significant professional weight across international academic and industry markets.
There are two separate deadlines — June 30, 2026 for MS Thesis-Based and PhD programs, and July 11, 2026 for MS Project-Based programs. Therefore, identifying your target program and preparing your documents immediately is essential. In fact, the scholarship covers every major expense from tuition to conference participation. For this reason, the comprehensive guide below details every benefit, course, eligibility condition, and application step.
About King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is a prestigious public research university established in 1963. It is located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and is globally recognized for excellence in engineering, science, and energy research. Additionally, KFUPM ranks 8th in Petroleum Engineering and 4th in registered US patents. However, beyond rankings, it is the depth of its industry partnerships and research infrastructure that makes it genuinely world-class. To summarize, KFUPM represents one of the strongest graduate research environments available to international students in the Middle East today.
Details About the King Fahd University Scholarship 2026
- Host Country: Saudi Arabia
- Host Institution: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)
- Location: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- Degree Levels: Master’s (Thesis-Based), Master’s (Project-Based), MBA, and PhD
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Application Fee: None
- Open To: International students from all countries worldwide
- Deadline — MS Thesis-Based and PhD: June 30, 2026
- Deadline — MS Programs Project-Based: July 11, 2026
Also check: Rhodes Scholarship 2027 — Fully Funded Postgraduate at University of Oxford
Financial Benefits
The KFUPM Scholarship covers every major academic and living expense throughout the full duration of the graduate program. In addition, scholars who actively participate in research projects receive supplementary financial incentives beyond the standard package.
- Full Tuition Fee Coverage: Complete tuition exemption for the entire duration of the Master’s or PhD program
- Return Airfare Ticket: A round-trip international flight covered at the start and end of the scholarship period
- Monthly Stipend: A regular monthly living allowance paid throughout the program to cover daily personal expenses
- Research Participation Stipend: An additional stipend provided to scholars who actively participate in approved research projects
- Free Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage for the full duration of the scholarship
- Free Syllabus and Study Materials: All required academic materials and course resources provided at no cost
- Free Accommodation: On-campus housing provided throughout the program, with separate rooms available for married students
- Free Cafeteria Meals: Daily meals provided through the university cafeteria facilities at no additional cost
- Research Roles: Opportunity to work as a researcher within KFUPM’s active research centers and laboratories
- Conference Participation: Access to participate in national and international academic conferences as part of the program
Also check: DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme 2027 — Fully Funded Master’s in Germany
Available Programs and Courses
The KFUPM Scholarship supports graduate study across a wide range of engineering, science, business, and technology disciplines. Specifically, the following programs are available for the 2026 intake.
- Aerospace Engineering
- Accountancy
- Architectural Engineering
- Applied Statistics
- Business Administration
- City and Regional Planning
- Chemistry
- City and Environmental Planning
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Networks
- Construction Engineering and Management
- Environmental Sciences
- Electrical Engineering
- Geophysics
- Geology
- Information Assurance and Security
- Industrial and System Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Material Science and Engineering
- Medical Physics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Physics
- System and Control Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Telecommunication Engineering
Also check: Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholarship 2027 — Fully Funded Graduate in USA
Eligibility Criteria
The KFUPM scholarship targets academically strong international graduate applicants across all eligible nationalities. Therefore, review every condition below carefully before beginning your application.
- Nationality: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide — no nationality restrictions apply
- Academic Background for Master’s/MBA: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s or undergraduate degree from an accredited institution
- Academic Background for PhD: Applicants must hold a Master’s or MPhil degree from an accredited institution
- GRE Requirement: A valid GRE General Test score is mandatory for all applicants
- English Proficiency: IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory — minimum TOEFL iBT score of 70/120 or minimum IELTS band score of 6.0/9.0
- Minimum CGPA: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 is required
- Recommendation Letters: Three recommendation letters from university professors or academic supervisors are mandatory
Who Is NOT Eligible
Before investing time in your application, confirm you do not fall into any of the following categories.
- Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree for Master’s programs or a Master’s degree for PhD programs
- Candidates without a valid GRE General Test score
- Applicants who cannot meet the minimum TOEFL iBT 70 or IELTS 6.0 language proficiency requirement
- Candidates with a CGPA below 3.00 out of 4.00
- Applicants who cannot provide three academic recommendation letters
Also check: McCall MacBain Scholarships 2027 — Fully Funded at McGill University Canada
KFUPM International Research Partnerships
One of the most distinctive features of KFUPM is its active research collaboration network with globally leading universities and industry partners. Consequently, scholars gain indirect access to research ecosystems that extend well beyond the Saudi campus.
- MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) — Clean Water and Clean Energy research
- Stanford University — Oil, Gas, and Geosciences
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech) — Petrochemicals and Polymers
- Technical University of Munich — Refining and Petrochemicals
- Cambridge University — Oil and Gas research
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) — Geo-signal Processing and Smart Grids
- National University of Singapore — Refining and Petrochemicals
- KAUST — Multiple research disciplines in Engineering and Sciences
- Saudi Aramco — Multiple research disciplines across the energy sector
- SABIC — Refining, Petrochemical, and Polymer research
Required Documents
Prepare all supporting materials carefully before approaching the official KFUPM online portal. Moreover, ensure every document carries official attestation where required before uploading.
- Highest Degree Diploma: Official copy with stamp attestation uploaded directly to the portal
- Academic Transcripts: Highest degree transcripts with official attestation included
- Passport Scan: A clear scanned copy of a valid international passport (or Iqama for Saudi students)
- English Proficiency Document: Official IELTS or TOEFL score report meeting the minimum requirements
- Personal Statement: A focused statement of purpose outlining your research interests and academic goals
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed academic and professional résumé
- Three Recommendation Letters: Letters from university professors or academic supervisors who can speak directly to your research potential
- Additional Reference Documents: Any other supporting documents required by your chosen program
Also check: Humboldt Research Fellowship 2026 — Fully Funded for International Researchers
How to Apply for the King Fahd University Scholarship 2026
The application process is managed entirely through the official KFUPM online portal. Therefore, read all program-specific instructions carefully before creating your account and beginning your submission.
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to the KFUPM graduate admissions portal and create a personal account to begin your application
- Select Your Degree Level and Field: Choose your target degree level — MS Thesis-Based, MS Project-Based, or PhD — and subsequently select your preferred academic discipline
- Read the Complete Instructions: Review all program-specific application guidelines and requirements carefully before proceeding to the document upload stage
- Prepare and Scan Your Documents: Gather all required documents, ensure every diploma and transcript carries official attestation, and then scan them in clear high-resolution format
- Upload All Documents: Attach all required files into their designated portal slots and verify each upload for legibility and completeness
- Submit Before Your Deadline: Confirm all information and submit your completed application before June 30, 2026 for MS Thesis-Based and PhD programs, or before July 11, 2026 for MS Project-Based programs
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | Now Live |
| Deadline — MS Thesis-Based and PhD | June 30, 2026 |
| Deadline — MS Programs Project-Based | July 11, 2026 |
| Program Start | Fall 2026 |
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