50% scholarships: Registration opens for Dubai's distinguished students programme
Registration is now open for the second cycle of the Dubai Distinguished Students Programme for the 2025-2026 academic year, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced on Monday.
The initiative provides 415 scholarship seats at 28 private schools for high-achieving Emirati students, offering a 50 per cent tuition fee scholarship for those in Grade 1 to Grade 10 at schools rated Good or better.
The initiative, launched in 2024 to enhance collaboration between the public and private sectors in providing high-quality educational opportunities for outstanding Emirati students in Dubai, aligns with the Education 33 strategy and reinforces the city's commitment to academic excellence and investing in the future of its youth.
More participating schools
Building on the success of its inaugural year, the programme now offers families greater choice in curriculum, location, and tuition fees. Participating schools that have signed agreements to support the scholarship programme in its second year include six rated Outstanding, 14 rated Very Good, and eight rated Good. These schools provide diverse curricula, including UK, US, IB, and UK/IB and US/IB combinations, ensuring that Emirati students have access to education choices that align with their aspirations and future goals.
The scholarship
The scholarship programme supports the Education 33 strategy's goal of nurturing Dubai's future leaders by empowering Emiratis with high-quality education. Participating schools also benefit from a more enriched learning community by welcoming Emirati students, while also playing a crucial role in improving educational outcomes.
Applications for the 2025-26 academic year will be open from February 24 to March 10, 2025. The scholarship is available to Emirati students with a family book issued by the emirate of Dubai. The programme covers 50 per cent of tuition fees for students from Grade 1 or Year 2 until Grade 10 or Year 11 who are either newly or currently enrolled in public or private schools in the UAE. Students currently enrolled in the participating schools are not eligible for the scholarship.
Eligibility criteria
Eligible students must have an average grade of 90 per cent or above in the US or Ministry of Education curriculum, a score of at least 5 in the IB curriculum, or a B-grade average for the British curriculum. Applicants must also successfully pass assessments and interviews conducted by the schools' evaluation committees.
Emirati families can submit their children's scholarship applications through the KHDA website. More details about the programme, eligibility criteria, and the application process are also available on the KHDA website.
Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA, said, 'By expanding the number of participating schools and ensuring more choices for families, we are strengthening our mission of equipping Emirati youth with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to drive the nation's progress.
'This initiative also reflects the vital collaboration between the public and private sectors in supporting Dubai's vision under the Dubai Social Agenda 33. For parents, this is an exceptional opportunity to enrol their children in some of the best private schools in Dubai, ensuring they receive the best education possible to contribute successfully to the emirate's future goals.'
Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO of the Knowledge Fund Establishment, said, 'We are committed to adopting and supporting pioneering educational initiatives. The expansion of the programme reflects our steadfast commitment to strengthening public-private sector partnerships and ensuring that outstanding educational opportunities are available to empower the next generation of Emirati leaders."
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