What Zayed Education Foundation does

Zayed Education Foundation is a UAE-based nonprofit philanthropic foundation established in 2025 under the directives of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, with the stated mission to invest in education, leadership development, and research in order to cultivate a new generation of leaders grounded in service-oriented values inspired by the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The foundation is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and operates with 11–50 employees. Its work targets Emirati and Arab youth residing in the UAE, mid-level Emirati professionals on leadership trajectories, Palestinian medical students, and graduate-level researchers whose work addresses challenges facing the UAE, the Arab region, and the world.

The foundation's core product portfolio consists of three scholarship programs, one international leadership immersion, and a research and innovation suite. Ruwwad Zayed is the flagship merit-based scholarship program offering fully funded Master's degrees at 10 UAE-based partner universities (including NYU Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi University, Zayed University, American University of Sharjah, UAEU, Khalifa University, Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, University of Sharjah, IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi, and MBZUAI) across priority fields spanning AI, robotics, sustainability, public health, urban planning, space science, and education. The UAE-India Leaders Program delivers immersive executive education at Indian institutions including IIT Delhi, IIT Bangalore, and IIM Bangalore for Emirati professionals and postgraduate students. Miracle of Saadiyat sponsors Emirati MA and PhD candidates in agriculture and food security at the University of Arizona, and the Gaza Medical Students Initiative provides accredited regional internships for Palestinian medical students. The Research & Innovation portfolio comprises Research Chairs at national universities, a specialist Fellows Program, and Research Grants for transformative long-term research and IP creation. There is no proprietary technology platform; the underlying technology footprint is limited to a structured digital application workflow incorporating document submission, one-way video interviews, and psychometric assessment.

The foundation operates on a grant-based philanthropic model with no commercial revenue, no pricing structure, and no commercial customers. Programs are delivered at no cost to beneficiaries and funded entirely through UAE leadership-directed philanthropic capital. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: recruitment flows through structured online applications, university campus visits across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, online AMA information sessions, social media, and earned media coverage, supplemented by thought leadership articles from the Chair. Distribution relies on direct self-serve online application portals and a network of 10 university delivery partners rather than any third-party reseller or paid media channel. The foundation's explicit long-term target is to empower more than 100,000 young leaders by 2035, and it plans to extend Ruwwad Zayed from graduate scholarships into undergraduate and doctoral levels in future rounds.

Name

Zayed Education Foundation

Legal name

Zayed Education Foundation

Website

https://zayededucationfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2025

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zayed Education Foundation is a UAE-based nonprofit philanthropic foundation established in 2025 that funds fully funded scholarships, international leadership programs, and research grants for Emirati and Arab youth, delivered through partnerships with 10 UAE universities and select international institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Philanthropy / Scholarship and Leadership Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Foundation/NGO & Philanthropic Scholarships (EDAIAOAH), Degree-Level Scholarships (Undergrad/Masters/PhD/Postdoc) (EDAIAOAE), Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International) (EDAIAOAJ)

Keywords

• Education philanthropy
• Graduate scholarships
• Leadership development
• Research grants
• University partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic grantmaking: As a nonprofit foundation, Zayed Education Foundation does not generate commercial revenue. It funds scholarships, leadership programs, and research initiatives through philanthropic capital allocated under directives of the UAE leadership. The Foundation operates entirely on a grant-based model, providing fully funded scholarships, living stipends, and program costs to beneficiaries at no commercial return.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zayed Education Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that funds and delivers fully paid graduate scholarships, international leadership programs, and research grants for high-potential Emirati and Arab youth, partnering with leading UAE universities and international institutions. Its flagship Ruwwad Zayed program offers 50 fully funded Master's scholarships in its inaugural year across 10 UAE universities, complemented by the UAE-India Leaders Program, Miracle of Saadiyat agricultural scholarships, Gaza Medical Students Initiative, and a research and innovation pillar (Research Chairs, Fellows Program, Research Grants). All programs are provided at no cost to beneficiaries and are funded through philanthropic capital allocated under UAE leadership directives.

Product overview

The Zayed Education Foundation operates as a philanthropic initiative offering a portfolio of educational programs rather than a commercial technology product. Its core offerings include: (1) Ruwwad Zayed - a flagship merit-based scholarship program providing full funding for Emirati and Arab Master's students at 10 UAE universities, combined with leadership development and mentorship; (2) UAE-India Leaders Program - an immersive international leadership experience for Emirati professionals featuring executive education in India; (3) Miracle of Saadiyat - agricultural and food security scholarships at University of Arizona; (4) Gaza Medical Students Initiative - medical internships for Palestinian students; and (5) Research & Innovation programs including research chairs, fellows program, and research grants for transformative projects at UAE universities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ruwwad Zayed: A merit-based university scholarship program for high-potential Emirati and Arab youth pursuing Master's degrees in priority fields, offering full academic funding, leadership development, and comprehensive support services.
• UAE-India Leaders Program
• Miracle of Saadiyat

Products and services

• Ruwwad Zayed A merit-based university scholarship program for high-potential Emirati and Arab youth pursuing Master's degrees at UAE universities, offering full academic funding, tailored leadership development, monthly living stipend, mentoring, and comprehensive support services.
• UAE-India Leaders Program An immersive leadership program combining structured learning in India with high-level networking opportunities, enabling exceptional Emirati professionals and postgraduate students to engage with India's political, economic, scientific, and cultural landscape through executive education, site visits, and capstone projects.
• Miracle of Saadiyat A scholarship partnership supporting Emirati MA and PhD students to pursue studies in agriculture and food security at the University of Arizona, recognizing the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the legacy relationship between Saadiyat Island and the American university.
• Gaza Medical Students Initiative A special initiative supporting Palestinian medical students by providing fully-accredited internships at regional universities, with participants aspiring to return home to help rebuild Palestine's medical system.
• Research Chairs Program A program establishing research chairs at national universities to carry out transformative research projects in high-priority sectors, attracting world-leading researchers to the UAE.
• Fellows Program A specialist fellows program supporting graduate and post-graduate researchers whose work addresses critical challenges facing the UAE, Arab region, and the world.
• Research Grants Program Grants provided to researchers, innovators, and SMEs working on long-term research, product development, and IP creation, with ecosystem support including market access, relocation assistance, and strategic partnerships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Goal to empower more than 100,000 young leaders by 2035
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYU Abu Dhabi is a core university partner in the Ruwwad Zayed scholarship program, offering designated Master's programs (MFA in Art and Media; MSc in Interdisciplinary Data Science and A.I.) as eligible degree pathways for Ruwwad Zayed scholars.
• Abu Dhabi UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbu Dhabi University is a core university partner in the Ruwwad Zayed program, offering eligible Master's programs including MSc in Strategic Digital Transformation, Master of Public Health, and Master of Education in Educational Technologies and AI.
• Zayed UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZayed University is a core university partner offering designated Master's programs (MSc in Environment and Sustainability Sciences; MSc in Digital Transformation and Innovation; MSc in Counselling Psychology) as eligible pathways for Ruwwad Zayed scholars.
• American University of SharjahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican University of Sharjah is a core university partner in the Ruwwad Zayed program, offering eligible Master's programs including MA in International Studies, Master of Urban Planning, MSc in Machine Learning, and MSc in Economics and Policy.
• United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAE University is a core university partner offering eligible Master's programs for Ruwwad Zayed scholars, including Master of Governance and Public Policy, MSc in Remote Sensing and GIS, MSc in Food Science, MSc in Information Security, and MSc in Space Science.
• Khalifa UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKhalifa University is a core university partner offering eligible Master's programs for Ruwwad Zayed scholars, including MSc in Molecular Life Sciences, MSc in Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Computational Data Science, and MSc in Robotics & Autonomous Systems.
• Sorbonne University Abu DhabicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSorbonne University Abu Dhabi is a core university partner in the Ruwwad Zayed program, offering eligible Master's programs including Master in Urban Planning and Development, MA in Arts and Heritage, Master in Social Research and Data Analysis, and Master in International Law.
• University of SharjahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Sharjah is a core university partner offering eligible Master's programs for Ruwwad Zayed scholars, including Master of Public Health (MPH), MSc in Engineering Management, and MSc in Media Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation.
• Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Abu DhabicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIT Delhi Abu Dhabi is a core university partner offering the M.Tech. Program in Energy Transition and Sustainability as an eligible pathway for Ruwwad Zayed scholars, bridging the Foundation's academic and research mission with India's leading technical institution.
• Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBZUAI is a core university partner offering eligible Master's programs (MSc in Computer Vision; MSc in Robotics) as designated degree pathways for Ruwwad Zayed scholars pursuing cutting-edge AI and robotics disciplines.
• Masdar CitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMasdar City is listed as a leadership program partner, supporting the Foundation's leadership development initiatives through its innovation and sustainability ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.
• Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDubai Culture is a leadership program partner contributing to the Foundation's leadership development ecosystem by connecting Emirati talent with Dubai's cultural and creative sectors.
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) — IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian Institute of Technology (specifically IIT Delhi and IIT Bangalore) is a key partner in the UAE-India Leaders Program, providing executive education content, site visits, institutional engagements, and expert dialogue for Emirati participants across the science/technology/sustainability, arts/culture/architecture, and international relations tracks.
• Indian Institute of Management (IIM) BangalorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIM Bangalore is a core partner in the UAE-India Leaders Program, providing executive education content and institutional engagement for Emirati professionals and students on the leadership and business development track.
• UAE Embassy in New DelhisupportingOthersThe UAE Embassy in New Delhi and the UAE Consulate General in Mumbai supported the UAE-India Leaders Program by facilitating diplomatic engagement and providing official coordination for Emirati participants during their immersion visits to India.
• University of Arizona (Miracle of Saadiyat Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Arizona is the partner institution for the Miracle of Saadiyat scholarship program, hosting Emirati MA and PhD students for studies in agriculture and food security — honoring the legacy relationship between Saadiyat Island and the American university as part of the larger Miracle of Saadiyat initiative.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Qatar Foundation: A Gulf state-backed, royal-founded organization that runs Education City, delivers scholarships, funds research (Qatar National Research Fund), and operates leadership programs. Most structurally comparable to ZEF as a national-level, royally-anchored education and research foundation in the Gulf.
• Aga Khan Foundation: International development foundation that funds graduate scholarships (Aga Khan University), operates research and leadership programs across multiple geographies. Directly comparable as a faith/philanthropy-rooted grantmaking foundation supporting graduate education and research in priority fields.
• Mastercard Foundation: One of the world's largest education-focused philanthropic foundations, funding scholarships, leadership programs, and research across Africa and globally. Comparable to ZEF in running large-scale, fully funded graduate scholarships combined with structured leadership development curricula.
• Al Qasimi Foundation: UAE-based royal family foundation funding education, research, and cultural projects in the UAE and broader Arab world. Direct peer as an Emirati grantmaking foundation with a strong education and research focus.
• Fulbright Program (U.S. Department of State): U.S. government-sponsored international scholarship and exchange program with merit-based selection and a global alumni network. Comparable to Ruwwad Zayed as a state-sponsored, merit-based graduate scholarship with a strong leadership and alumni development focus.
• Chevening Scholarship (UK FCDO): UK government-funded scholarship program offering fully funded Master's degrees to global future leaders, combined with a leadership network. Comparable to Ruwwad Zayed as a national-state-sponsored, fully funded graduate scholarship with a leadership development mission.
• Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF): UAE-based royal foundation promoting knowledge, education, and leadership across the Arab world through publishing, research, scholarships, and awards. Operates in the same UAE philanthropic ecosystem as ZEF with overlapping beneficiary populations and educational mandate.
• Al Maktoum Foundation: A UAE-based royal philanthropic foundation that funds scholarships, knowledge, and cultural initiatives across the Arab world and internationally. Highly comparable to ZEF as another Dubai-ruling-family-backed grantmaking foundation with a similar education, knowledge, and leadership agenda.

Regional players

• King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba): Saudi state-backed foundation identifying and developing gifted Saudi youth through scholarships, research experiences, and international competitions. Regional peer with a comparable national-talent-development mandate, though focused on gifted K-12/undergraduate cohorts rather than graduate leadership.

Broad incumbents

• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST): Saudi state-backed research university offering fully funded graduate scholarships and operating research chairs in priority fields. Comparable to ZEF's Ruwwad Zayed and Research Chairs programs in its state-funded graduate scholarship and research-chair model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zayededucationfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Zayed Education Foundation