Dubai Distinguished Students Programme 2026-2027

About the Programme

This programme stems from Dubai Social Agenda 33 and is a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector. The programme aims to provide high-quality educational opportunities for outstanding Emirati students at all stages of their education, focusing on those students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to continuing their education. To facilitate this, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Knowledge Fund Establishment have signed agreements with a group of elite private schools that offer a diverse range of internationally recognised curricula.

The scholarship covers 50% of the tuition fees for students attending schools rated Good or better, with the remaining 50% to be covered by their parents or legal guardians.

Our Mission

Empowering the next generation of Emirati leaders by providing access to high-quality educational opportunities to outstanding students, in collaboration with the best private schools in the Emirate of Dubai.

Registration and Enrolment Terms
The applicant must: Be a UAE national and a hold an Emirati family book. At the time of applying to the programme for the upcoming academic year 2026-2027, the student should be enrolled in Grade 1/Year 2 and not above Grade 10/Year 11, or equivalent grades in other applied curricula in Dubai. The student's age and grade level must be in accordance with the school's enrolment policies, as approved by KHDA. Not have been previously terminated from a government scholarship programme. Not choose the same school (or school group) he/she is currently enrolled in unless it is Innoventures Education Group, Emirates International School, or North London Collegiate School. Pass the admission interviews and placement tests on the due dates set by the candidate school. Pass all the screening and selection stages conducted by the programme based on the set enrolment criteria, along with the availability of seats allocated for the current cycle. Respond in a timely manner to all communication via email through all registration and enrolment stages. Successfully attach all required documents to the application and provide all required information accurately. The submitted documents must be original copies. Comply with all the terms mentioned above, and other future responsibilities or commitments required by the programme later. Meet the following academic and behavioural criteria: - Demonstration of sustained academic excellence over the past three years (for students in Grade 3/Year 4 and above), consistently achieving scores at or above the designated minimum in the table below. - Students following other curricula or using different grading systems must provide evidence from the school indicating that the student has achieved a grade equivalent to at least 90% (for students in Grade 3/Year 4 and above). This should demonstrate that the student is mastering or exceeding the curriculum expectations. - Demonstrate good conduct by providing a letter of recommendation from the school where the student is currently registered for the academic year.

Registration and Enrolment Terms

The applicant must:

Be a UAE national and a hold an Emirati family book.
At the time of applying to the programme for the upcoming academic year 2026-2027, the student should be enrolled in Grade 1/Year 2 and not above Grade 10/Year 11, or equivalent grades in other applied curricula in Dubai.
The student's age and grade level must be in accordance with the school's enrolment policies, as approved by KHDA.
Not have been previously terminated from a government scholarship programme.
Not choose the same school (or school group) he/she is currently enrolled in unless it is Innoventures Education Group, Emirates International School, or North London Collegiate School.
Pass the admission interviews and placement tests on the due dates set by the candidate school.
Pass all the screening and selection stages conducted by the programme based on the set enrolment criteria, along with the availability of seats allocated for the current cycle.
Respond in a timely manner to all communication via email through all registration and enrolment stages.
Successfully attach all required documents to the application and provide all required information accurately.
The submitted documents must be original copies.
Comply with all the terms mentioned above, and other future responsibilities or commitments required by the programme later.
Meet the following academic and behavioural criteria:
- - Demonstration of sustained academic excellence over the past three years (for students in Grade 3/Year 4 and above), consistently achieving scores at or above the designated minimum in the table below.
- - Students following other curricula or using different grading systems must provide evidence from the school indicating that the student has achieved a grade equivalent to at least 90% (for students in Grade 3/Year 4 and above). This should demonstrate that the student is mastering or exceeding the curriculum expectations.
- - Demonstrate good conduct by providing a letter of recommendation from the school where the student is currently registered for the academic year.

Curriculum	Minimum Requirement
MOE	90% or A-
US	90% or A-
UK	6 or B
IB	5

Required Documents
Emirati Family book Valid UAE passport Valid Emirates ID Detailed salary certificate of the legal financial guardian’s income source Letter from workplace regarding education allowance for both parents (with details of whether any of them receive an education allowance and the amount of the education allowance if applicable). Certificate of retirement of the legal financial guardian (if applicable) Passport-size photo of the student Student report cards for the last three academic years A certified medical report stating if the applicant is a student of determination Custody letter from court for guardians (if applicable) A letter of recommendation from the school where the student is currently registered for the academic year Any other documents requested

Required Documents

Emirati Family book
Valid UAE passport
Valid Emirates ID
Detailed salary certificate of the legal financial guardian’s income source
Letter from workplace regarding education allowance for both parents (with details of whether any of them receive an education allowance and the amount of the education allowance if applicable).
Certificate of retirement of the legal financial guardian (if applicable)
Passport-size photo of the student
Student report cards for the last three academic years
A certified medical report stating if the applicant is a student of determination
Custody letter from court for guardians (if applicable)
A letter of recommendation from the school where the student is currently registered for the academic year
Any other documents requested

School Name	Grades	Curriculum	Area
Collegiate International School	Grade 4 - Grade 9	US/IB	Umm Suqeim 2
Dubai International Academy, Al Barsha	Grade 4 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Al Barsha First
Raffles World Academy	Grade 4 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Umm Suqeim Third
Raffles International School	Year 4 - Year 9	UK	Umm Suqeim 2
Uptown International School	Grade 1 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Mirdif
American Academy for Girls	Grade 1 - Grade 9	US	Al Mizhar First
Jumeirah Baccalaureate School	Grade 3 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Jumeirah First
Dar Al Marefa Private School	Grades 3, 5 and 8	International Baccalaureate	Al Khawaneej 1
Dubai Heights Academy	Year 6 - Year 9	UK	Al Barsha Second
Deira International School	Grade 4 and 9	UK	Dubai Festival City
Universal American School	Grades 4 and 5	US	Dubai Festival City
Emirates International School	Grade 10	International Baccalaureate	Umm Suqeim 1
Al Khaleej International School	Grade 4 - Grade 9	US	Al Warqa 4
GEMS International School Al Khail	Grade 4 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Al Khail
GEMS World Academy	Grade 4 - Grade 9	International Baccalaureate	Al Barsha 1
GEMS Royal Dubai School	Year 4 - Year 9	UK	Mirdif
GEMS First Point School	Year 5 - Year 10	UK	Dubai Land
North London Collegiate School	Grade 3 and 9	International Baccalaureate	Al Meydan
Arcadia British School	Years 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10	UK	JVT

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Dubai Distinguished Students Programme 2026-2027

About the Programme

Our Mission

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