THE KAUST GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOR EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS

Applications are being accepted for the KAUST Global Fellowship Program 2026. The KAUST Global Fellowship program aims to attract and support outstanding emerging research leaders and scientists from around the world to build their path towards a fully independent career. The program inspires the young generation of scientists and engineers to address global challenges and explore opportunities that benefit humanity.

This merit-based program targets excellent postdocs who have breakthrough ideas that can complement, support, contribute, and advance the major research priorities of KAUST. In our 'research-first' environment, current and future Global Fellows have full access to key research tools, equipment, unparalleled facilities, and expertise required to fulfill their research ambitions, supported by a strong community of excellence.

Benefits

• Each successful fellow receives up to $40,000 of funding for their research proposal, along with a yearly living stipend of $75,000 plus benefits, including medical insurance, accommodation, schooling for up to 2 children, relocation allowance, and annual travel allowance. The funding allows researchers to prioritize their research on a full-time basis with financial security.
• KAUST provides easy access to all the necessary research tools and equipment. Fellows need to fulfill their research goals, with unparalleled laboratory facilities available on campus. Fellows are also supported by their experienced colleagues and can rely on the expertise of their host Principal Investigator.
• KAUST has an extensive network of international research partners that facilitate networking opportunities for the KAUST research community to meet a global set of external organizations operating in academia, industry, government agencies, funding bodies, and other external partners. This extensive network of research and industry leaders helps Fellows to build successful international partnerships for their future careers.
• The KAUST Global Fellowship Program offers a variety of learning and development programs designed to support and improve Fellows' existing skills while nurturing and developing new skills. These programs include the KAUST Mentoring Program, the Harvard HE Teaching Certificate, and Leadership programs/ certificates. Each Fellow's learning experience is enhanced further through networking opportunities with other Fellows and successful alumni of the Fellowship program.
• This program offers a truly unique opportunity for early-career researchers to pursue their own research project and expand on their innovative ideas. Early career researchers are presented with the possibility of building their own future career path and transition toward a competitive independent research career.
• KAUST attracts some of the brightest minds from across the globe, with more than 110 nationalities living, working, and studying on campus, creating a dynamic international environment. KAUST is more than a university; it is a unique ecosystem where education, research, innovation, and industry converge coincide. This supportive intellectual environment enhances our researchers' scientific endeavors, as well as their personal and professional development, and offers networking opportunities that will help to kick-start your budding research career.

Applicants Eligibility

For an applicant to be eligible for this Fellowship:

• Must have been awarded a Ph.D. degree, within four calendar years (i.e., those applying in January 2026, must have received their Ph.D. after January 2022 inclusive);
• Must expect to complete their Ph.D. before the start of their Fellowship;
• Must be ready to move to KAUST to undertake their proposed three-year research project*;
• Must identify in their application a KAUST faculty member who has confirmed and agreed to host them and their research project, if successful.

People of all nationalities are welcome to apply. We encourage female applications to promote a better gender balance in science and engineering.

*Candidates must satisfy all Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requirements to obtain resident status.

Proposal Eligibility

To be eligible for this Fellowship, the proposal should:

• Focus on one or more of the KAUST research priorities: Health & Wellness, Sustainable Environment & Essential Needs, Energy & Industrial Leadership, and Economies of the Future;
• Have an outline for a three-year duration;
• Follow the budget and financial guidelines of the call;
• Use the provided template.

The KAUST Global Fellowship Program supports research projects under the programs of the three KAUST academic divisions: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Science and Engineering (CEMSE), and Physical Science and Engineering (PSE).

Application Guidelines

Applications must be drafted in English using the provided templates and must be submitted via the online application form. Applications are accepted from July 1st to January 15th each year. All submissions are reviewed after the final deadline on January 15th. All applications need to be completed with all required documents to be eligible for review at the cut-off date. Applicants and their referees are required to sign up to the PlutoEdu platform to access the system and submit the required documents.