What is the KAUST Fellowship & why it exists

The KAUST Fellowship is the university’s standard funding package for all admitted graduate students. Its purpose is to let scholars focus on research and study without financial worries. The Fellowship typically covers full tuition, a living stipend, on-campus housing, health insurance and relocation support — effectively a fully funded package for MS and PhD students. Every admitted student receives financial support as part of the offer (there is no separate fellowship application).

About King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)

• Location: Thuwal (Red Sea), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• What it is: A research university focused on science and engineering with strong international faculty and modern labs.
• Mission: Interdisciplinary research that addresses global challenges in energy, environment, food/water security, and technology. KAUST+1

Available Fields of Research

• KAUST organizes research into academic divisions and centers — common divisions include:
• Biological & Environmental Science & Engineering (BESE): biotechnology, water desalination, ecology, synthetic biology.
• Computer, Electrical & Mathematical Science & Engineering (CEMSE): AI, robotics, data science, electrical engineering, bioinformatics.
• Physical Science & Engineering (PSE): materials, energy conversion, nanotechnology, catalysis, physical chemistry.
• You can browse all divisions and project lists on KAUST’s research pages to find supervisors and active projects. KAUST+1

Eligibility Criteria

KAUST admits international applicants for research MS and PhD programs. Typical eligibility rules:

• For MS: a relevant Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
• For PhD: a relevant Master’s degree (or excellent Bachelor’s in some cases) and research readiness.
• English proficiency: official TOEFL or IELTS is normally required (exceptions apply if your previous degree was taught in English from certain countries). KAUST lists minimum guidance for acceptable scores and exemptions. KAUST+1

Note — GPA / competitiveness: Most admitted applicants are near the top of their class; historically about 90% have GPA ≈ top of class, and the minimum permitted GPA is around 3.0 on a 4.0 scale — but strong research fit and references matter a lot. FAQs

Financial benefits (what KAUST Fellowship usually includes)

• The Fellowship is generous; commonly reported elements:
• Full tuition & bench fees (research costs).
• Monthly living stipend: approximate ranges reported — MS ≈ US$20,000/year; PhD ≈ US$25,000–30,000/year (paid monthly).
• On-campus housing (utilities often included).
• Health insurance.
• Relocation & visa support (some travel assistance on arrival).
• Total value: often quoted around US$70–75k per year (varies with stipend level). 

 Important: exact stipend numbers and benefits are set by KAUST and may change — verify on KAUST’s Fees & Funding page before applying. 

Required documents (detailed checklist)

• Prepare the following before you start the online application. Upload scanned / PDF versions where requested.
• Official transcripts (all post-secondary institutions): Entry Requirements
• Native language copy + certified English translation (if not in English).
• Include grading scale and certificate of graduation if available. 
• Degree certificates / diplomas (bachelor’s and/or master’s).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) — focused on research experience, publications, projects, skills.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) — ~1 page (KAUST recommends concise research focus: background, research interests, goals, why KAUST). 
• Three referee contacts (emails); KAUST will request recommendation letters from your referees during the process. Do not upload PDF letters unless asked — enter referees’ details in the portal. 
• English test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) — if applicable (official reports sent by testing body), unless you qualify for an exemption. 
• Passport copy (bio page).
• Publications / conference papers / portfolio (if relevant).
• Any additional tests (GRE not required but recommended for some programs; submit if you have strong scores).

How to apply — step-by-step

1. Explore programs & find projects/faculty
   • Visit the KAUST Program & Research pages and search project listings or faculty whose work matches your interests. Shortlist 2–3 potential supervisors. KAUST+1
2. Prepare documents (see checklist above).
   • Get transcripts translated & certified if needed.
   • Ask referees early so they can submit when KAUST requests.
3. Create an account on the KAUST Admissions Portal
   • Start an application account at KAUST Admissions Portal, follow the “How to Apply” instructions and choose the correct program and intake. 
4. Complete the online application
   • Enter personal data, upload required files, provide referee contacts (KAUST will request letters). Review carefully. 
5. Submit before the deadline
   • Check the Admissions Timeline page for the exact intake deadlines (deadlines differ by intake and program). If you cannot provide a final transcript before the deadline, KAUST accepts provisional evidence but will require final official transcripts before arrival. 
6. Application review & interview
   • The admissions team reviews your file; strong candidates may be invited to an interview (research/technical). Be ready to discuss your research plan and background. 
7. Receive offer & onboarding
   • If admitted, you receive an official offer letter including the KAUST Fellowship. Follow onboarding instructions (visa, medical checks, pre-arrival forms). KAUST provides assistance for visa and onboarding. 
8. Arrival & registration
   • Attend orientation and follow campus onboarding steps (health checks, residence permit, registration).

Tips to improve your chances

• Contact potential supervisors with a short, focused email: 2–3 sentences about your background, research interests and a one-line link to your CV or a relevant paper.
• Tailor your SOP to specific KAUST labs and explain how your prior work fits the lab’s projects.
• Strong references from research supervisors give weight. Provide referees with your CV and SOP so they can write specific letters.
• Show research potential: thesis excerpts, publications, GitHub, datasets, or project reports.
• Prepare for interview: know the lab’s recent publications and explain how you can contribute.

After admission — onboarding & visa

KAUST sends onboarding instructions and supports visa invitation letters. You will need medical testing (includes specific tests) and attested degrees for visa processing. More detailed guidance is on KAUST’s onboarding page.

Where to check official details (always use these)

• KAUST Admissions – How to Apply / Fees & Funding / Timeline — official admissions hub (start here). 
• KAUST Research / Divisions pages — to find supervisors and projects. 
• Contact Admissions / Hakeem Chatbot — use KAUST’s admissions contact or chatbot for quick questions.