The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program

Introduction to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program

In 2005, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz issued a royal decree to launch a five-year scholarship program. The program was extended in 2010 to accommodate thousands of high school and university graduates seeking to study abroad in various fields.

Notably, the program is one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant achievements and an educational revolution for Saudi youth, offering the best opportunities for ambitious citizens to study overseas.

Initially named the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP) under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education, it was later renamed the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program.

The program provides Saudi citizens with scholarships to study at top international institutions, covering all expenses, including tuition, medical insurance, and accommodation.

Objectives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program

The program sends male and female students to over 200 leading global universities based on the importance of their academic fields. Key objectives include:

1. Effectively preparing and qualifying Saudi professionals to compete in the global job market.
2. Enhancing academic capabilities across various scientific disciplines.
3. Achieving high academic and professional standards for scholarship recipients.
4. Elevating the efficiency of Saudi youth to contribute to economic development.
5. Promoting research, development, and innovation.
6. Facilitating academic and educational exchanges with international institutions.

Target Beneficiaries

The program focuses on equipping Saudi men and women to contribute to national development, particularly in technical and vocational training across public and private sectors.

Specializations and the number of scholarships are determined based on future strategic plans and labor market needs. The program targets high school and university graduates, as well as those admitted to top global universities.

Destination Countries

The program includes partnerships with leading educational institutions in:

1. UK (69 universities)
2. Netherlands (15 universities)
3. USA (144 universities)
4. South Korea (14 universities)
5. China (75 universities)
6. Japan (13 universities)
7. Germany (34 universities)
8. Russia (10 universities)
9. France (32 universities)
10. Malaysia (9 universities)
11. Australia (28 universities)
12. India (8 universities)
13. Italy (27 universities)
14. Singapore (3 universities)
15. Switzerland (20 universities)

Expected Outcomes

The program drives Saudi development by producing highly qualified professionals for universities, research centers, and public/private institutions in fields such as:

1. Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing
2. Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences
3. Law, Accounting, E-Commerce, Finance, Insurance, Marketing

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Strategy: A New Phase

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop human capital and achieve Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched a new strategy for the scholarship program, marking a fresh phase in its evolution.

The strategy focuses on three pillars:

1. Awareness: Encouraging students to plan early for their academic futures at international institutions.
2. Competitiveness: Creating targeted scholarship pathways to enhance Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness, aligning with labor market needs.
3. Post-Graduation Support: Guiding graduates and facilitating their entry into local and global job markets.

Program Tracks

1. Pioneers Track "Alrowad": Sends students to 30 top global educational institutions across all disciplines to support sustainable development and Vision 2030.
2. Provider Track "Emdad": Covers 200 leading educational institutions in high-demand fields like IT, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Business, and Tourism.
3. Research & Development Track:  Aims to grant scholarships in the top 200 educational institutions in the world - according to priority fields - which will develop research and development in the country.
4. Promising Track "Wa'ed": Trains and upskills students in emerging sectors like Sports, Digital Economy, Business Management, and Marketing.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official website of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program.

For details on the 2025-2026 academic year requirements, visit this link

SAT for Study Abroad

SAT for Study Abroad plays a vital role in preparing Saudi youth for academic success and professional excellence, reinforcing the Kingdom’s human capital development.