The Dubai Program for Distinguished Students provides 333 scholarships to Emirati students for the next academic year

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, in cooperation with the Knowledge Fund Foundation, announced the opening of registration for the third edition of the “Dubai Program for Distinguished Students” for the next academic year 2026-2027 in 19 private schools, providing 333 academic seats for outstanding Emirati students in grades one to ten, or their equivalent in other educational curricula, with scholarships covering 50% of tuition fees.

Parents of Emirati students can register for the program for the academic year 2026-2027, starting today until April 14, 2026, through the website of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai.

The Dubai Program for Distinguished Students, for the third year in a row, embodies close cooperation between the government and private sectors, based on the vision of the wise leadership in investing in people, by providing high-quality educational opportunities for outstanding Emirati students in the emirate, which in turn contributes to empowering students and their parents, in line with the objectives of the Dubai 2033 Plan, its economic and social agendas, and the Dubai Education Strategy 2033.

The program provides various educational options for Emirati families at the level of the educational curriculum, geographical location, and tuition fees. The schools participating in the program apply multiple educational curricula, including the British curriculum, the American curriculum, and the International Baccalaureate curriculum, in addition to schools that offer dual curricula, ensuring that Emirati students have access to educational options that are compatible with their future aspirations and goals.

Aisha Abdullah Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, said: “The Dubai Distinguished Students Program reflects our firm commitment to enabling outstanding Emirati students to obtain high-quality educational options, embodying the vision of the wise leadership that places investment in people at the forefront of national priorities. We also value this ongoing positive partnership between the government and private sectors to provide exceptional opportunities for Emirati families to benefit from high-quality educational options in the best private schools in Dubai within the program, and to equip emerging Emirati generations with knowledge, skills and values.” necessary to contribute positively to the development process of the UAE, in a way that supports Dubai’s future vision within its economic and social agenda, and the Education Strategy 2033.”

The schools participating in the program have concluded a package of cooperation agreements for the next academic year 2026-2027, with the aim of empowering outstanding Emirati students by providing high-quality education that enhances their educational achievements, in addition to consolidating Emirati culture and values ​​and the Arabic language in the educational community, in a way that enhances cultural identity and prepares Emirati youth to lead the bright future of their country.

For his part, Executive Director of the Knowledge Fund Foundation, Abdullah Mohammed Al Awar, said: “Investing in distinguished Emirati competencies is a fundamental pillar of Dubai’s vision for sustainable development and enhancing its global competitiveness. The launch of the third batch of the Distinguished Students Program in Dubai reflects our continued commitment to enabling academically distinguished students to reach prestigious international universities and specialize in fields of the future, which contributes to preparing national cadres capable of leading the next phase of the growth process. Through these initiatives, we continue to strengthen the leadership of the Knowledge Fund Foundation. National human capital and supporting the transition towards a knowledge-based economy.”

To join the program, the student must be a citizen of the UAE, hold an Emirati family book, and be enrolled in a government or private school in or outside the country. When the student joins the program for the next academic year 2026-2027, he must be registered in the first grade/second year, and not be more than the tenth grade/eleventh year, or its equivalent in other curricula applied in Dubai.

The student is also required to have an average of 90% or higher in the American educational curriculum and the Ministry of Education curriculum. As for the International Baccalaureate curriculum, the student is required to obtain a grade of (5) and a grade of “B” in the British curriculum, and that the student must pass placement tests and interviews conducted by the school’s evaluation committee.

A number of schools participating in the program, including Innoventures Group schools and Emirates International School, offer the possibility of accepting Emirati students registered with them or within the educational group included in the program.

Alan Williamson, CEO of Talim Group, said: “We are pleased to be part of the Dubai Program for Outstanding Students, which is an initiative that reflects a shared ambition between government agencies and the private education sector to promote and nurture academic excellence, and to ensure that outstanding Emirati students have access to high-quality educational opportunities, in line with the Dubai Social Agenda and the Dubai Education Strategy 2033. We are working to open new horizons for outstanding Emirati students and enable them to contribute to Dubai’s development process.”

For his part, Dino Varkey, CEO of GEMS Education Group, said: “Our ongoing partnership with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and the Knowledge Fund Foundation, within the framework of the Dubai Program for Distinguished Students, reflects a firm and shared commitment to expanding access to world-class education for outstanding Emirati students, in line with Dubai’s long-term vision for human capital development. We continue our focus on achieving a tangible educational impact for every student, by enabling gifted students to enroll in distinguished educational environments, and establishing strong academic foundations through curricula. We are honored to contribute to preparing a generation of confident Emirati leaders who are open to their world and able to contribute effectively to the future development process.”

Poonam Bhojani, CEO of Innoventures Group, said: “Our participation in the Dubai Distinguished Students Program is consistent with our mission to provide distinguished educational experiences and enable students to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a changing world. This partnership reflects a joint commitment to enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors, and expanding access to high-quality education for Emirati students. We are committed to nurturing Emirati talent, inspiring excellence, supporting them in achieving their highest ambitions, and developing educational paths that enable the next generation to “Leaders.”