ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will provide 30 fully funded scholarships for Palestinian students to study at public universities in the Kurdistan Region during the 2026-2027 academic year, according to Kurdish and Palestinian authorities.
Khattab Shekhani, chief of staff at the KRG’s ministry of higher education and Scientific Research, told Rudaw's Hastyar Qadir on Saturday that the scholarships cover tuition fees at public universities and include accommodation in university dormitories.
"These scholarships are for public universities. Students will not pay tuition fees, and accommodation in internal dormitories will be provided. Admission will be based on grades and the criteria set by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research," Shekhani said.
The scholarship program comes as many Palestinian students continue to face disruptions to higher education because of the ongoing conflict, with universities in Gaza severely affected and thousands of students displaced or unable to continue their studies.
The program is part of a three-year initiative by the KRG, reflecting the Kurdistan Region's continued educational cooperation with Palestine.
"Thirty seats are allocated each year, but in 2025, due to the situation in Palestine, not all admitted students were able to continue their studies," Shekhani added.
According to the Palestinian higher education ministry, students are expected to cover their own monthly living expenses, estimated at between $200 and $350.
The Palestinian ministry said in a statement on Thursday that applicants must submit their online applications and required documents by Wednesday.
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