Abu dhabi: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has launched the Ruwwad AI Scholars (RAIS) Fellowship, a national initiative to develop the next generation of Emirati researchers and future AI faculty at world-class institutions in the UAE and abroad. The fully funded, two-year postdoctoral fellowship supports UAE Nationals who have recently completed their Ph.D. to undertake advanced research internationally, building long-term research capability in AI and related fields.
According to Emirates News Agency, RAIS welcomes scholars from a wide range of disciplines - from machine learning and data science to engineering, biology, economics, and physics - with a focus on candidates whose research engages with AI, computational tools, or quantitative methods in any capacity. Thamar Solorio, Vice Provost of Faculty Excellence and Advancement and Professor of Natural Language Processing at MBZUAI, emphasized the program's importance, stating that it reflects the belief that the UAE's research future must be built from within. The fellowship aims to create pathways for a homegrown AI faculty that is both globally competitive and deeply connected to the country's long-term ambitions.
The initiative is aligned with the UAE's Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which seeks to position the country as a global leader in AI through sustained investment in talent, research, and innovation. As the world's first AI university, MBZUAI plays a central role in advancing these priorities, and RAIS is a direct expression of that commitment. The fellowship is open to Emirati Ph.D. graduates across disciplines, with priority given to candidates demonstrating strong research potential, independence, and alignment with the UAE's long-term research goals.
Applications for the fellowship are open and reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority consideration given to submissions received by mid-April and rolling admissions through the following month. Selected candidates are expected to begin the program in Fall 2026, with the completion of the fellowship intended to prepare fellows for tenure-track faculty roles at MBZUAI and peer institutions.