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SDAIA AI Scholarship Program

An overseas scholarship from the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) in partnership with the Ministry of Education — bachelor’s, master’s and PhD study at universities ranked in the global top 50, including eight Australian universities we apply to for you.

Application status
Applications open
Approved universities in Australia
8 universities
Fields of study
12 fields
Next date
Closing date to be announced

About the program

Launched by SDAIA with the Ministry of Education and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program to build national talent in data and artificial intelligence, in support of the National Strategy for Data and AI and Vision 2030. Applications for the fourth cohort opened on 7 October 2026. You need a final (unconditional) offer from one of the target universities and a scholarship decision from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program — we secure your offer from one of the eight Australian universities approved in the program, in the right course.

Requirements

  • 1Saudi national
  • 2Qualification from an accredited institution in Saudi Arabia, or an equivalency from the Ministry of Education if obtained abroad
  • 3A grade of at least “Very Good” in your most recent qualification
  • 4A final (unconditional) offer from one of the program’s target universities
  • 5A scholarship decision from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program
  • 6Admission to one of the target fields or their branches
  • 7Full-time, on-campus study at the scholarship destination
  • 8Passing the personal interview and the competition for available places
Not sure the requirements apply to you? Try the “Am I eligible?” check

Approved courses

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Data Science
  • Robotics
  • Machine Learning
  • Deep Learning
  • Computer Vision
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Big Data
  • Smart Cities
  • Generative AI
  • Information Security in AI
  • Computer Science

This list is a guide and is subject to updates from the program’s sponsor.

Approved universities in Australia

Choose a university to start your application for it directly

Find your course at the program’s universities

Degree
Field

  • UNSW Sydney

    Sydney, Australia

    QS #19
    FoundationDiplomaBachelorMasterPhD

    Top fields: Society and culture, Natural and physical sciences, Creative arts, Engineering and related technologies, Health, Management and commerce, Architecture and building, Information technology, Education, Mixed field programs, Agriculture and environment

    Apply to this university

  • The University of Melbourne

    Melbourne, Australia

    QS #22
    DiplomaBachelorMasterPhD

    Top fields: Society and culture, Creative arts, Management and commerce, Health, Natural and physical sciences, Architecture and building, Education, Engineering and related technologies, Agriculture and environment, Information technology, Food, hospitality and personal services

    Apply to this university

  • The University of Sydney

    Sydney, Australia

    QS #28
    FoundationDiplomaBachelorMasterPhD

    Top fields: Society and culture, Health, Architecture and building, Creative arts, Management and commerce, Education, Information technology, Engineering and related technologies, Natural and physical sciences, Agriculture and environment, Mixed field programs

    Apply to this university

  • Australian National University

    Canberra, Australia

    QS #29
    DiplomaBachelorMasterPhD

    Top fields: Society and culture, Natural and physical sciences, Management and commerce, Information technology, Agriculture and environment, Engineering and related technologies, Creative arts, Health, Mixed field programs

    Apply to this university

  • Monash University

    Melbourne, Australia

    QS #31
    DiplomaBachelorMasterPhD

    Top fields: Society and culture, Management and commerce, Natural and physical sciences, Health, Engineering and related technologies, Education, Creative arts, Information technology, Architecture and building, Agriculture and environment

    Apply to this university

  • University of Technology Sydney

    Sydney, Australia

    QS #87
    FoundationDiplomaBachelorMasterPhD

    Top fields: Creative arts, Management and commerce, Natural and physical sciences, Society and culture, Health, Information technology, Engineering and related technologies, Architecture and building, Education, Mixed field programs, Agriculture and environment

    Apply to this university

  • Macquarie University

    Sydney, Australia

    QS #126
    FoundationDiplomaBachelorMasterPhD

    Top fields: Mixed field programs, Society and culture, Management and commerce, Health, Information technology, Natural and physical sciences, Education, Engineering and related technologies, Agriculture and environment, Creative arts, Architecture and building

    Apply to this university

  • Swinburne University of Technology

    Melbourne, Australia

    QS #291
    FoundationDiplomaBachelorMasterPhD

    Top fields: Management and commerce, Engineering and related technologies, Information technology, Society and culture, Creative arts, Health, Natural and physical sciences, Education, Architecture and building, Mixed field programs

    Apply to this university

Application dates

Calendar for all programs
07Oct

Applications open

7 October 2026

Applications open

Closing date to be announced

Flexible date — we’ll let you know the updated schedule

How KD helps you

Admission is free for students
  1. 1

    A university from the target list

    We match your qualification and grades with the eight Australian universities approved in the program, and the right course for you.

  2. 2

    A final, unconditional offer

    The program requires a final offer — we apply to the university and follow up until the offer arrives in the required form.

  3. 3

    Your Safeer file and scholarship decision

    We prepare your file for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program and follow up until the scholarship decision is issued.

  4. 4

    Visa and accommodation

    From documents to airport pickup.

FAQs

Which degrees does the program cover?

Bachelor’s, master’s and PhD.

Do I need a university offer before applying to SDAIA?

Yes — a final (unconditional) offer from one of the universities approved in the program, plus a scholarship decision from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. Meeting both is required to complete your application.

How were the universities chosen?

Using three global rankings (Shanghai, QS and Times Higher Education), the program takes universities ranked in the global top 50 in the target fields in any of them — 95 universities in 17 countries, including eight in Australia that we apply to. The list may change.

What are the benefits after acceptance?

Academic guidance, research opportunities with global organisations, support for employment, training and entrepreneurship, and membership of research groups and the AI scholars’ association.

Does the program provide a job after graduation?

It doesn’t provide direct employment, but it raises graduates’ readiness for the job market in the target fields.

Where can I follow intake dates?

Dates are announced on the program page on SDAIA’s website and its official accounts. Contact centre 8001221111, email [email protected].

Are KD’s admission services free?

Yes. University admission services through KD are completely free for students, and we charge no fee for applying to universities.

How do I follow my application after submitting?

You get a reference number as soon as you submit. Follow every stage from “My applications” by signing in with your email, and you’ll get updates by email and message.

Do I need an English test certificate before applying?

Not necessarily. You can apply now, and we’ll recommend the right language path if you need a conditional offer.

Start your application