The Aga Khan Foundation provides scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from select developing countries. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year in June or July.
The Aga Khan Foundation provides 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. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year in June or July.
The Foundation gives priority to requests for Master’s level courses but is willing to consider applications for PhD programmes, only in the case of outstanding students who are highly recommended for doctoral studies by their professors and who need a PhD for the fulfilment of their career objectives (academic or research oriented).
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for an AKF ISP award, you must:
- Have excellent academic records;
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/professional experience;
- Demonstrate genuine financial need**;
- Demonstrate a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan that covers all years of study**;
- Be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution***;
- Be starting the first year of the programme****; and
- Have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.
Note: preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.
(i) At present, the AKF ISP is available in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
(ii) In Canada, France, Portugal and the USA, applications are accepted from those who are originally from one of the countries listed in point (i).
(iii) AKF ISP is not available to students who wish to study in the United Kingdom.
Offered Benefits
AKF ISP awards are structured as half grant and half loan – where you need to repay 50 percent of the award amount.* Scholarships for Master’s studies are granted for the entire duration of the degree course. For PhD students, scholarships are awarded for the first two years, after which you are expected to find funding from alternative sources.
The award covers tuition expenses and student living expenses. It does not cover, for example, the cost of international travel, clothing, furniture, or living expenses for family members.
