Doha, April 21 (QNA) - Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education has launched its government scholarship plan for the 2026–2027 academic year, introducing new academic pathways and expanded financial support aimed at building national expertise in priority sectors.

The plan has been presented at a press conference attended by HE Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, the ministry's undersecretary, along with senior higher education officials. It is based on four strategic objectives: economic growth, equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, and talent development, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy.

Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs Dr Hareb Aljabri said the program represents a significant shift in developing national competencies, with new features including a dedicated track for students with disabilities, designed to support access to international universities with appropriate learning environments.

The scheme also introduces an academic bridging program for arts-stream students to access science disciplines, as well as specialized scholarships in fields such as nuclear engineering and clinical psychology to support healthcare and environmental priorities.

According to the ministry, the scholarship structure includes flagship programs offering placements at top global universities and institutions within Education City, alongside financial packages varying by discipline. Medical and engineering students will receive higher stipends, while government and internal scholarships will also be adjusted according to level and field of study.

Officials also confirmed strict eligibility requirements for postgraduate scholarships for government employees, including academic performance thresholds and approval from employing entities to ensure alignment with workforce planning and nationalization strategies.

Registration for external scholarships, Education City placements and private universities will open from July 1 to August 15, while internal scholarship applications for public universities will run from November 15 to December 30.

The Ministry of Labor said the program strengthens coordination between education and employment policies, particularly in the private sector, to align graduate outcomes with labor market needs.

Officials from the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau added that the updated scholarship framework includes strategic disciplines such as artificial intelligence, data science and nuclear engineering, alongside structured employment pathways for graduates to enhance workforce integration. (QNA)