Application Deadline: Not Specified
The application window for the 2026-2027 cycle of the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (AKF ISP) is officially open! This prestigious scholarship initiative is designed to support exceptional students from selected countries who lack alternative financial resources to pursue postgraduate studies.
Programme Overview
Established in 1969 by His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme has empowered over 1,500 talented scholars worldwide. This programme offers a highly competitive, global annual selection process where a limited number of scholarships are awarded each cycle. The 2026-2027 award cycle is now accepting applications.
The AKF ISP is accessible in several countries including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Additionally, individuals originally from these countries but currently residing in places such as Canada, Portugal, and the USA may also apply. Please note that students seeking to study in the United Kingdom or Russia are currently ineligible for this scholarship.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Possess an excellent academic track record;
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or have equivalent professional training or experience;
- Demonstrate a significant financial need;
- Present a comprehensive, dependable funding plan that covers all years of the postgraduate course;
- Have secured admission to a reputable postgraduate institution;
- Be entering the first year of their postgraduate programme;
- Show strong leadership qualities, relevant professional experience, extracurricular or entrepreneurial achievements, and commitments to volunteer service.
Note: The programme prefers applicants who are young professionals under the age of 30.
Please keep in mind: The AKF ISP is intended as a resource of last resort. Applicants are encouraged to secure multiple funding sources to minimize the amount requested from the scholarship. Although the programme prioritizes Master’s degree candidates, applications for PhD studies will also be considered. Support for courses at local or regional universities and distance-learning programmes may be granted, provided the academic quality is maintained. However, part-time programmes and short-term courses do not qualify for funding.
It is important that candidates are beginning their first year of postgraduate study; those who have already enrolled or commenced their postgraduate education are ineligible.
How to Apply
Applications to the AKF ISP are processed by designated contacts in the countries where the programme operates. To verify whether you meet the eligibility criteria and to find the contact details of your local office, please use the eligibility tool provided on the official website.
Scholarship Terms and Conditions
The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship combines grant and loan elements, with recipients expected to repay 50% of the total award amount. For Master’s degree candidates, scholarships are provided for the entire duration of the programme. PhD students receive funding for the first two years only, after which they must secure alternate financial support.
The award covers tuition fees and living expenses related to the student’s academic needs. However, it does not include costs such as international travel, clothing, furniture, or living expenses incurred for family members.
To continue receiving support, recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and continue to demonstrate financial need throughout their postgraduate studies.
Important: A guarantor must co-sign the award agreement. Repayment of the loan portion, which includes a service fee, begins six months following the earliest of these events: graduation, cessation of studies, or termination of scholarship support due to failure to meet academic standards.
About the Aga Khan Development Network
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is committed to enhancing the quality of life for disadvantaged populations primarily in Asia and Africa. The organisation’s inclusive approach assists communities and individuals in achieving self-reliance, regardless of their background, faith, or gender.
