Quick verdict: what the Saudi scholarship program strategy changes
The Saudi scholarship program strategy, formally the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program Strategy, moves sponsorship away from broad enrolment and toward targeted placement. It was approved on March 7, 2022 by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in his role as chairman of the Human Capability Development Program Committee.
Four paths carry the work and each one answers a different national need.
The four paths at a glance
| Path | Target |
|---|---|
| Al-Rowad (Pioneers) | Study at the top thirty institutions worldwide across all disciplines |
| Al-Bahth Wa al-Tatweer (Research and Development) | Graduate study at leading institutions to build future researchers |
| Emdad (Provider) | Scholarships to the top two hundred universities in specific disciplines the labour market needs |
| Wa’ed (Promising) | Training for megaprojects and promising sectors such as manufacturing and tourism |
How the Saudi scholarship program strategy was built
The Human Capability Development Program Committee developed it with several relevant entities. The paths are deliberately aligned with the priorities of Saudi Vision 2030, its executive programs, and a labour market that changes quickly.
That alignment is the point. Instead of funding degrees in isolation, the strategy ties each path to a demand signal, which is a familiar pattern in Vision 2030 reporting.
Three pillars under the Saudi scholarship program strategy
The first pillar covers educating and preparing scholarship recipients so they can plan their academic and practical route early. The second develops the scholarship paths and programs themselves, sponsoring disciplines the labour market demands and strengthening national competitiveness.
The third handles follow-up and care: services for students abroad, and guidance that prepares them for the labour market when they return. Domestic capacity building runs in parallel through institutions such as the Islamic University, the King Faisal University English Language Center and the Riyadh University of Arts.
Applications and administration
Within the strategy, the Ministry of Education announced on December 4, 2022 the opening of applications for the academic year 2023/2024, with the window running until May 5, 2023. That edition used three paths: Al-Rowad, al-Bahth Wa al-Tatweer and Emdad.
Selected specializations came from leading international universities and were chosen to serve Vision 2030 goals, meet labour market requirements and support new fields in promising Saudi sectors. Current cycles and requirements are published by the Ministry of Education, and applicants should check there rather than rely on past cycle dates.
Teachers and staff inside the system use platforms covered in the Faris system guide, while school-level digital learning runs through the Madrasati platform.
Who benefits
Students aiming at research careers should look at the research and development path. Those targeting immediate employment fit Emdad better. Wa’ed suits candidates drawn to large projects, including work connected to NEOM and to tourism sector hiring.
Final verdict
This is a sorting strategy more than a spending one. Pick the path that matches your intended career exit, not the one with the most prestigious label and verify each cycle’s dates directly with the ministry before applying.
