The program funds overseas postdoctoral research for UAE nationals in the field of AI.
The Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has launched the Ruwwad AI Scholars (RAIS) Fellowship, a fully funded two-year postdoctoral program for UAE nationals who have recently completed their Ph.D.
The initiative supports advanced research placements at international institutions with the aim of developing long-term capabilities in artificial intelligence and related fields while building a pipeline of future academic talent.
This fellowship is open to candidates from a variety of fields, including machine learning, data science, engineering, biology, economics, and physics, as long as their research is related to artificial intelligence or computational methods.
“RAIS reflects our belief that the future of research in the UAE must be built from within,” said Tamar Solorio, Vice-Chancellor for Faculty Excellence and Advancement. “By supporting the most promising Emirati academics at world-class institutions, we are forging a path to a homegrown AI faculty that is globally competitive and deeply connected to the country’s long-term ambitions.”
The program is aligned with the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and is designed to prepare participants for tenure-track academic roles at MBZUAI and other institutions.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received by mid-April. The selected candidate will begin the fellowship in fall 2026.
