The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies — Qatar's independent graduate institute for the social sciences and humanities — funds Master's and PhD students through two scholarships: the merit-based Tamim Scholarship and the need-based Sanad Scholarship. Applications for the 2027-2028 academic year run 1 September 2026 to 15 January 2027, and admitted students receive the scholarship application form directly from the Admissions Office. For international students the full package can include tuition, housing, a monthly stipend, health insurance and flights.
Why it is notable: it is one of the few fully funded graduate options in the Arab world specifically for social sciences/humanities (fields most Gulf funding ignores in favour of STEM); the two-step mechanic — admission first, scholarship form second — confuses applicants who look for a separate scholarship portal that doesn't exist.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Two tracks — Tamim (merit, full) and Sanad (need-based, 10–100%). Full awards for international students reportedly cover: 100% tuition waiver, free institute dormitory accommodation, monthly stipend, comprehensive health insurance, and return airfare (all benefit details…
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor MastersMasters/MPhilfor PhD
This scholarship is offered for Masters and PhD programs.
Who can apply
Qatari nationals, residents of Qatar, and international students of all nationalities (aggregator-reported); Bachelor's degree required for Master's (final-year undergraduates may apply conditionally, degree to be completed before the academic year starts — aggregator-reported); Master's degree required for PhD (aggregator-reported)
Experience
No experience required
Language Certificate
programmes require Arabic and/or English proficiency depending on the programme — many programmes are taught in Arabic (aggregator-reported); English proficiency via TOEFL/IELTS or proof the prior degree was taught in English (aggregator-reported) — confirm per programme on the Institute's site before publishing
Other Certificates
Degree certificates & transcripts
Age Limit
none reported (unverified)
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
Qatari nationals, residents of Qatar, and international students of all nationalities (aggregator-reported); Bachelor's degree required for Master's…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Language
programmes require Arabic and/or English proficiency depending on the programme — many programmes are taught in Arabic (aggregator-reported); English proficiency via TOEFL/IELTS or proof the prior degree was taught in English (aggregator-reported) — confirm per programme on the Institute's site before publishing
02
Qualification
Qatari nationals, residents of Qatar, and international students of all nationalities (aggregator-reported); Bachelor's degree required for Master's (final-year undergraduates may apply conditionally,
03
Documents
unverified from official pages viewed — aggregators consistently list: passport/national ID, degree certificates, official transcripts, CV, personal statement, two recommendation letters, TOEFL/IELTS
Document checklist
01unverified from official pages viewed — aggregators consistently list: passport/national ID, degree certificates, official transcripts, CV, personal statement, two recommendation letters, TOEFL/IELTS
02PhD extras: GRE scores, Master's thesis or research sample, statement of interest, initial PhD proposal — confirm against the Institute's admissions pages before publishing
Application fee
No fee — completely free
No separate scholarship application fee is published; confirm on the official page.
Visa, kept concise: Qatar student entry is normally arranged through the admitting institution's sponsorship — confirm the exact process with the Doha Institute's Admissions Office after admission.
Application Procedure
6 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Choose an eligible Master's or PhD programme
and check its admission and language requirements (Arabic vs English tracks matter enormously — verify per programme).
→
02
Create an account on the Doha Institute's
online admission system and complete the admission application.
→
03
Upload all required documents (list unverified from
official pages viewed — see below).
↓
06
Possible interview/shortlisting stage (aggregator-reported).
←
05
If admitted, the Admissions Office sends you
the scholarship application form — complete it for the Tamim (merit) or Sanad (need) track.
←
04
Submit before 15 January 2027.
Application milestones
15 Jan 2027
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official Doha Institute for Graduate Studies platform.
15 Jan 2027 — (verified on the official Institute page for 2027-2028 admission; exact closing time/timezone unverified —…
Who can apply?
Qatari nationals, residents of Qatar, and international students of all nationalities (aggregator-reported); Bachelor's degree required for Master's (final-year undergraduates may apply conditionally, degree to be completed before the academic year starts — aggregator-reported); Master's degree required for PhD (aggregator-reported)
What does the scholarship cover?
Two tracks — Tamim (merit, full) and Sanad (need-based, 10–100%). Full awards for international students reportedly cover: 100% tuition waiver, free institute dormitory accommodation, monthly stipend, comprehensive health insurance, and return airfare (all benefit details…
Where do I apply?
Through the official application portal linked in the Official links section on this page.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Qatar · Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
