The International Scholarship Programme is awarded by the Aga Khan Foundation. This scholarship programme is given to a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from select developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies, in order to develop effective scholars and leaders and to prepare them for employment, primarily within the AKDN. The Foundation gives priority to requests for Master's level courses but is willing to consider applications for Ph.D. programmes, only in the case of outstanding students who are highly recommended for doctoral studies by their professors and who need a Ph.D. for the fulfillment of their career objectives (academic or research-oriented). For the 2020-21application cycle, the Foundation will not accept applications from students planning to attend universities in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, and Ireland.

One of the main highlights of this scholarship is that Half of the scholarship amount is considered as a loan, which must be reimbursed with an annual service charge of 5%. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant: 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year in June or July. The payback period is five years, starting six months after the study period funded by the Aga Khan Foundation. The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only and not with the cost of travel.

Shortlisting Process

The selection of scholars for the International Scholarship Programme involves a multi-stage process. The scholars will be selected after a thorough assessment of all the applicants. The main criteria for selecting award winners are:

• Consistently excellent academic records.
• Genuine financial need.
• Admission to a highly reputable university or program of study.
• The relevance of the field of study to AKDN’s focus areas.

Terms and Conditions

The continuation of the scholarship depends on the good academic performance of the scholars in the examinations conducted by their respective universities.

Renewal cases of stipend holders who are not promoted to the next year will not be considered for further renewal.

• The Foundation accepts applications from nationals of the following countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, and Mozambique. In France, Portugal, UK, USA, and Canada, applications are accepted from those who are originally from one of the above-developing countries, are interested in development-related studies, and who have no other means of financing their education.
• Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.
• Applicants are requested to make every effort to obtain funding from other sources as well so that the amount requested from the Foundation can be reduced to a minimum. Preference is given to those who have been able to secure some funding from alternative sources.
• Applicants should be prepared to be interviewed by local Scholarship Committees about their financial situation, their academic performance, extra-curricular achievements, and career plans.

Students may obtain application forms as of January 1st each year from AKF offices or Aga Khan Education Services/Boards in their countries of current residence. Completed applications should be returned to the agency from which the form was obtained.

Application Documents

Required documents will be mentioned with the form.