Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a set of commonly questions regarding the KAUST Global Fellowship Program. If you do not find an answer to your query, please contact the program office KGFP@kaust.edu.sa

About the Fellowship

What research areas does the KAUST Global Fellowship cover?

The Fellowship supports the six research priorities of KAUST - Food, Water, Energy, Health, AI, and Red Sea exploration, delivered through KAUST's academic divisions: BESE, BMS, CEMSE, and PSE. For more details, check: KAUST Research.

Global Fellows receive a competitive monthly stipend of US$6,250 (US$75,000 annual), plus health insurance, free housing, schooling and daycare subsidy, relocation allowance, and annual travel assistance. A separate research allowance of up to US$40,000 per year is available for travel, consumables, core lab use, and other expenses needed for the Fellowship research. Full details are outlined in the Application Guidelines and the Fellowship website.
The Fellowship is for a 3-year term, with a formal evaluation at year 2. Renewal beyond the 3 years is not possible under the Fellowship Program.
Yes, Global Fellows may bring eligible dependents (spouse and children) to KAUST. Families living on campus have access to the KAUST School for free for up to 3 children, daycare subsidy for children under the age of 4, medical insurance, and community facilities.
Yes, but if selected, you must work full-time on your fellowship project at KAUST without commitments to other institutions or funding agencies.
No, Global fellows are expected to live and work at KAUST in Saudi Arabia on a full-time basis and cannot hold any other primary employment during their Fellowship.

Eligibility

What are the eligibility requirements?
Applicants must hold a PhD awarded within the last four years and propose independent research aligned with KAUST's research priorities. A confirmed Host PI is not required at Stage 1 — see 'Do I need a Host PI at KAUST?' below. Full eligibility details are available at: https://kgfp.kaust.edu.sa/how-to-apply
Yes. The fellowship is open to applicants of all nationalities. Nominees must meet Saudi Arabia’s residency and work permit requirements to obtain a visa and join the Fellowship.

No, a confirmed Host PI is not required to submit your Stage 1 Concept Note. At this stage, identify up to three potential Host PIs in your application (visit the KAUST Faculty Directory to find your Host PI); they will review your Concept Note and decide whether to support it. You will need a PI support to be invited to submit a full proposal. If you've already secured a KAUST faculty member's support, or you're a KAUST-affiliated applicant, simply list only that faculty member's name in the application form.

Well justified career breaks due to parental leave or military/civil service are taken into consideration for exceptions to the four-year rule. No exceptions will be made for other voluntary career breaks.
No. Proposals must demonstrate novelty and innovation beyond your PhD work or current projects, and should not simply replicate research already underway in the Host PI's lab.
Yes, you may reapply once, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria.

Application Process

How do I apply, and what is required?
Applications must be submitted through the online portal linked on the Fellowship website.. Required documents for Stage 1 include a Concept Note, your two most relevant publications, a current CV (including full publication list), and two reference letters. Those who move to Stage 2 of the application process will be invited to submit a full proposal.
No, applicants may submit only one proposal per cycle. 

Yes. Application materials are reviewed by COI-free authorized experts and kept strictly confidential. For information about how KAUST handles your personal data, please see KAUST’s Privacy Notice.

Proposals are evaluated based on research excellence, innovation, feasibility, and alignment with KAUST's research priorities - full details are in the  Application Guidelines.

Yes, but adhere to the proposal template and page limits. Only citations are exempt from the page limits.

KAUST Applicants

Can KAUST-affiliated postdocs apply?
Yes, if you are affiliated with KAUST for less than 12 months at the full-proposal submission deadline, and the eligibility criteria are met. If you are applying as a KAUST affiliated postdoc, you should only indicate the name of your current PI in Stage 1 application.
Yes, incoming postdocs are considered external (non-KAUST affiliated) applicants. If you have already signed a contract with KAUST, you should only indicate the name of the PI you have signed the contract with in Stage 1 application.
KAUST alumni (MSc, PhD) and Postdocs who have been affiliated with KAUST for more than 12 months at the time of the full-proposal submission deadline are not eligible to apply to this Fellowship.