2026 KAUST Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) – Fully Funded Research Internship in Saudi Arabia

Job Description

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2026 KAUST Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) – Fully Funded Research Internship in Saudi Arabia
The Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) offers an exceptional opportunity for high-achieving 3rd and 4th-year undergraduate students and master’s students in STEM fields to gain hands-on research experience at one of the world’s leading research institutions.

With more than 100 faculty-supervised projects, students can select research topics that match their academic interests. Internships run 2–6 months and begin throughout the year, allowing participants to choose start and end dates that suit their schedules.

Ideal for students seeking research experience, co-op opportunities, or preparation for graduate studies, the program brings together an international cohort of researchers in KAUST’s state-of-the-art facilities.

Interns enjoy full financial support, including tuition, accommodation, return airfare, and a monthly living stipend.

Program Overview
• Program Type- Internship
• Host Country- Saudi Arabia
• Institution- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
• Duration- 3–6 months
• Eligibility- Open to students from all countries
• Benefits- $1,000 monthly stipend, private room with bath, return airfare, and additional support
• Application Window- Open year-round

Available Research Areas
Internship projects span all KAUST academic departments, including:
• Mechanical Engineering
• Bioscience
• Marine Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Applied Mathematics and Computer Science
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering
• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Statistics
• Earth Science and Engineering
• Plant Science
• You can find all internship projects here – https://admissions.kaust.edu.sa/internship/search

Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
• Be a third-year bachelor’s student or a master’s student.
• Hold a minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0 or 14/20 (ECTS B equivalent).
• Demonstrate English proficiency (TOEFL IBT 79+, IELTS 6.5+).
• Not be current KAUST students, alumni, or enrolled PhD candidates.

What the Program Covers
• $1,000 monthly stipend
• Private housing with bathroom
• Round-trip airfare
• Access to labs, training facilities, social activities, and campus events

Required Application Documents
• Official academic transcript(s)
• Recommendation letter
• Valid passport
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of purpose outlining motivation for joining VSRP

How to Apply
Explore available research projects, create an account, and complete the online application. If shortlisted, the supervising faculty member will reach out to discuss next steps and finalize program details.