Saudi Arabia has launched a science scholarship program for students interested in studying space science. According to the Royal Space Commission, this is the first science scholarship that will send students studying to 30 renowned universities around the world.

"Saudi Arabian male and female students will have the opportunity to study space science at one of the top 30 global universities and will be guaranteed a job in Saudi Arabia in their chosen field after they graduate," the commission said.

The first phase of the scholarship program will include bachelor's and master's degrees in several different disciplines in the field of space science, namely aerospace engineering, space science, and space policy.

"Applications to enroll in the program will open on July 25," the Commission said.

Some of the conditions that must be met by prospective scholarship recipients are citizens of Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the prospective recipient must be of good behavior, must have an unconditional acceptance letter to study in one of the disciplines of aerospace engineering, space science, and space policy, or have attended one of the universities under the program at his own expense, and must comply with the requirements scholarships determined by the Ministry of Education.

"The announcement comes as part of the Kingdom's efforts to develop its space sector and is in line with the goals of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in the space industry," said Acting. Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Space Commission Mohammed bin Saud al-Tamimi.

Boys and girls who enroll in this program will be exempt from all their tuition fees. They also receive full medical insurance, paid airfare to and from the Kingdom, and will be on a program that will guide them and evaluate their academic progress on a regular basis.

The Saudi Space Commission was launched in 2018 to promote space-related research and industrial activities.