Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Postgraduate scholarships for students from selected countries with genuine financial need, awarded half as a grant and half as a repayable loan; the next cycle opens in early 2027.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Master’s
Destination
Global
Funding
Awards are half grant and half loan, so recipients repay 50 percent, with a guarantor and a service charge; repayment starts six months after graduation. Master's awards cover the full degree and PhD awards the first two years. They cover tuition and living expenses but not international travel, clothing, furniture or family living costs.
Eligible applicants
Students from listed countries (for example Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda) with financial need, admitted to a first-year postgraduate programme; preference under 30
Photo: Ansgar Koreng, CC BY 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme is offered by Aga Khan Foundation for Master’s study in Global. Confirm the current cycle on the official page before applying.
What this scholarship covers
50% grant
Included
50% loan, repayable with a service charge
May be included
Tuition and student living expenses
Included
International travel and family costs
Not included
Awards are half grant and half loan, so recipients repay 50 percent, with a guarantor and a service charge; repayment starts six months after graduation. Master's awards cover the full degree and PhD awards the first two years. They cover tuition and living expenses but not international travel, clothing, furniture or family living costs. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Based on the provider’s published information
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
See official criteria
Scholarship scope
Foundation scholarship
Last eligibility check
October 12, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Applicant group: Selected countries.
- International eligibility
- Open to citizens of AKF eligible developing countries.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordRequired
- Excellent academic record; bachelor's degree or equivalent training or professional experience; must have secured admission to a master's or PhD programme; must be starting the first year of postgraduate programme when receiving the award
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Experience and personal requirements
- Financial needRequired
- Genuine financial need required; must have a multi-source funding plan covering all years of study; award is a resource of last resort
Official eligibility summary
Applicants with excellent academic records and a bachelor's degree or equivalent, genuine financial need, a multi-source funding plan, admission to a reputable postgraduate institution and strong leadership potential, from the programme countries (applicants in Canada, Portugal or the USA qualify if originally from one). Priority goes to master's programmes and applicants under 30. Not available for study in the UK or Russia; part-time programmes and short courses are not considered.
Applicant profile
- Students from listed countries (for example Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda) with financial need, admitted to a first-year postgraduate programme; preference under 30
Study route
- Master’s study in Global
Current-cycle criteria
- Applicants with excellent academic records and a bachelor's degree or equivalent, genuine financial need, a multi-source funding plan, admission to a reputable postgraduate institution and strong leadership potential, from the programme countries (applicants in Canada, Portugal or the USA qualify if originally from one). Priority goes to master's programmes and applicants under 30. Not available for study in the UK or Russia; part-time programmes and short courses are not considered.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
- Application form (obtained from national AKF office)
- Proof of admission to postgraduate programme
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Financial need documentation and multi-source funding plan
How to apply
- 1
Secure admission to a master's or PhD programme
- 2
Contact the AKF national office in your country to obtain application materials
- 3
Submit application with proof of admission and financial need documentation
Application timeline
Application cycle
The 2026–2027 cycle is closed; the next cycle will open in early 2027. Applications go through local contacts in the programme countries.
Confirm the current dates on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
Aga Khan Foundation
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 12, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
No exact deadline is listed here. Check the official provider page for the next application cycle.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.