NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has announced the 2026-27 class of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program (SMSP), welcoming 24 exceptional university students from across the UAE to a year of academic exploration, leadership development, and experiences designed to broaden their perspectives and prepare them for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Now in its 19th year, SMSP brings together high-achieving students from the UAE’s federal universities, the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Zayed University (ZU), and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT). Through advanced coursework, leadership development, graduate school guidance, and engagement with NYUAD’s academic and research community, scholars learn alongside exceptional peers, explore ideas across disciplines, and connect their learning to the issues shaping society.
“The Scholars Program is a unique platform that empowers exceptional students across the UAE to pursue their academic and professional aspirations while developing the creativity, curiosity, and leadership skills needed to make a meaningful contribution to society. We are proud to welcome this new cohort and look forward to seeing how they grow through this experience.”
The 24 scholars were selected from a competitive pool of applicants by a distinguished panel of NYUAD faculty and community leaders. Over the course of the program, they will learn from NYUAD faculty, engage with the University’s research centers and facilities, and build relationships with peers from across the UAE.
The 2026-27 curriculum draws on expertise across the University, exposing scholars to subjects spanning sustainability, technology, public policy, the humanities, and the sciences. Leadership workshops, experiential learning, and graduate school counseling complement the academic program, giving students opportunities to develop their communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills while considering how they can apply them beyond the classroom.
Assistant Vice Provost, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Community Programs & PhD Pathways Program Aysha Aljaberi added: “The Program has evolved significantly over the years, continually adapting to the changing world and to the needs and aspirations of its students. Its impact comes from combining rigorous academic learning with experiences that allow scholars to see leadership and global challenges from different perspectives. Meeting Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other UAE leaders gives our students a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about leadership, national priorities, and the challenges facing the UAE and the wider world. These interactions can be deeply formative, helping students think differently about leadership and the role they can play in shaping the future. Together with the relationships they build with their peers, faculty, and the wider NYUAD community, these experiences stay with them well beyond the program.”
Since its inception, SMSP has supported 396 students, with 184 going on to pursue graduate studies worldwide, including 69 across NYU’s global campuses and 27 in PhD programs. Alumni have built careers across academia, government, and industry, reflecting the program’s lasting contribution to developing the UAE’s next generation of leaders. SMSP is one of two Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Community Programs administered by NYUAD. The other, NYUAD Summer Academy, is a competitive college preparatory program for Emirati high school students entering their eleventh year.