Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Government Scholarships, a new programme designed to train the UAE's next generation of public-sector leaders in artificial intelligence, economics and policymaking (per local reports).
What the scholarships cover
The initiative begins with two specialised master's tracks: a Master's in Economic Strategies and International Policy, and a Master's in Artificial Intelligence for the Government Sector. Additional offerings include a Master's in Applied Artificial Intelligence, a Master's in Economics, and the Oxford Executive Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business (per Dubai Media Office).
Global academic partners
The programmes are delivered in collaboration with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), New York University Abu Dhabi, Georgetown University and the University of Oxford. Scholars will combine theoretical coursework with applied work on economic modelling, AI tooling for policymaking, and translating global trends into local strategy (per local reports).
Why it matters for the UAE
The scholarships sit inside a broader UAE push to future-proof the public sector as AI reshapes how governments deliver services and design policy. Sheikh Mohammed met with the first cohort at the launch, framing the programme as a pipeline of specialised leaders aligned with national priorities in economy, technology and policymaking (per Gulf Today).
Who can apply
The first cohort focuses on Emirati government officials and high-potential employees from federal and Dubai government entities. Successful candidates will study at partner institutions before returning to roles in policy design, digital transformation and economic strategy. Programmes were announced with rolling registration through the dedicated scholarship platform (per Dubai Media Office).
The bigger picture
The initiative is one of several Dubai-led moves in 2026 to deepen domestic capability in AI and applied economics, complementing existing entities such as the UAE's Artificial Intelligence Office and the MBZUAI research base in Abu Dhabi. By routing future leaders through Oxford, Georgetown and NYU Abu Dhabi, the emirate is betting that internationally trained, locally deployed expertise will be the differentiator in the next phase of public-sector reform.
