MBZUAI Undergraduate Research Internship Program 2026 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the prestigious MBZUAI Undergraduate Research Internship Program (UGRIP) 2026 – a flagship, fully funded four-week immersive AI research internship at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first university dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence.

Located in the innovative and sustainable Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, UAE, this program offers talented undergraduate students from around the globe a unique opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in AI fields such as computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), robotics, and more. Participants will work under the mentorship of world-leading faculty, collaborate with peers from top institutions, and gain hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art research environment.

The 2026 program will run from Sunday, 31 May to Friday, 26 June 2026. This is a fully funded opportunity, with no application fee required. It is open to penultimate-year undergraduate students in STEM-related majors worldwide who meet the academic criteria.

Key Details

• Program Name: Undergraduate Research Internship Program (UGRIP) 2026
• Host Institution: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Duration: 4 weeks (31 May – 26 June 2026)
• Location: Modern campus in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s sustainable innovation hub
• Research Fields: Core AI areas including Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Robotics, Human-Computer Interaction, Computational Biology, and Data Science
• Funding Type: Fully funded – covers stipend, accommodation, flights, visa, insurance, and more
• Application Deadline: 28 February 2026 (5 p.m. GST)
• No Application Fee
• Open for All Nationalities

Why Choose UGRIP? What You Can Expect

During the program, you will:

• Reside on the cutting-edge MBZUAI campus for the full four weeks
• Receive direct mentorship from top AI faculty and researchers
• Collaborate with high-caliber peers from the UAE and international institutions
• Build lasting professional networks in the AI community
• Participate in social and cultural activities to explore Abu Dhabi and the UAE

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Comprehensive Benefits Package

MBZUAI ensures interns can focus fully on research and networking by providing a generous fully funded package:

• Competitive stipend for personal expenses
• Comfortable on-campus accommodation
• Round-trip airfares and airport transfers
• Visa processing support
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Access to world-class student facilities, labs, and research centers
• Organized social events, cultural excursions, and networking opportunities.

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Research Projects and Opportunities

Interns undertake meaningful research projects aligned with MBZUAI’s core strengths. Projects are introduced in the first two days, allowing you to discuss options with faculty and select your top three preferences.

Typical research areas include:

• Computer Vision
• Machine Learning
• Natural Language Processing
• Robotics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Computational Biology
• Data Science

Examples of past groundbreaking projects:

• Advanced models for brain tumor detection using AI imaging
• Automated systems to identify and mitigate media bias
• Interactive AI-powered music generation tools
• Improved machine translation for dialectal Arabic languages
• Enhanced safety algorithms for robotic obstacle avoidance

This hands-on experience will strengthen your research skills, portfolio, and graduate school applications.

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Eligibility Requirements

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate in the penultimate year (second-to-last year) of a STEM-related degree program
• Expected graduation date after August 2026
• Strong academic performance with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent)

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Required Application Documents

Prepare and submit the following (all in English or with certified translations; academic documents must be official with stamps/signatures):

• University enrollment letter confirming admission date, program duration, and expected graduation
• Official academic transcript with all courses, grades, and credits
• Proof of English proficiency (valid, from approved physical test centers only – no home editions):
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall minimum
  • TOEFL iBT: 90 minimum
  • PTE Academic: 60 minimum
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced: 180 minimum
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency: 200 minimum
  • Duolingo English Test: 120 minimum (restricted cases only, with interview and proof of limited access)
  • OR official university letter confirming English as the medium of instruction
• Valid passport copy (color, with at least one year validity)
• Statement of Purpose essay addressing your motivation, background, achievements, goals, and career aspirations

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How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the official MBZUAI portal. Start preparing your documents early to ensure a strong submission before the deadline.