The Aga Khan Foundation's International Scholarship Programme funds outstanding postgraduate students from selected developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies. It is a 50/50 grant-loan award covering tuition and living expenses — priority to Master's programmes, with PhD requests considered in exceptional cases. Applications are handled by local AKF/AKES/AKEB offices once a year; the 2026–27 cycle is closed and the next opens in early 2027.
Why it is notable: the unusual 50% grant / 50% loan structure with a guarantor requirement; decentralised application (you apply through your country's office, not online centrally); it is a gap-funder of last resort — you must show a multi-source funding plan and genuine financial need.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Tuition fees, according to demonstrated need.
Living expenses (monthly allowance), according to need.
Full duration of the Master's programme; PhD funding limited to the first two years.
Loan portion terms: half of the award is a loan, repaid with a 5% annual service charge, co-signed by a guarantor, over five years starting six months after the funded study period ends.
"This scholarship is offered for postgraduate Master's programmes (priority) and PhD programmes in outstanding, professor-recommended cases (first two years only)."
Who can apply
nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda (also available in Australia and New Zealand; in Canada, France, Portugal and the USA, applications are accepted from those originally from one of the listed developing countries). You must reside in a country with a local AKF office or Aga Khan Education Services/Board. Note: the programme is NOT available to students who wish to study in the United Kingdom or Russia.
Experience
some years of work experience in the field of interest expected; leadership potential, extracurricular and volunteer achievements evaluated.
Language Certificate
course-dependent (the destination university's requirement)
Other Certificates
degree certificates and transcripts; university admission letter required BEFORE applying
Age Limit
preference given to students under 30 years of age (official AKDN policy — stated as a preference, not a hard cap)
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
nationals of the 13 listed countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan,…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
excellent academic record; Bachelor's degree for Master's; Master's for PhD (PhD only for outstanding students highly recommended by professors who need the doctorate for career objectives).
02
Financial need
genuine financial need, no other means of financing studies; multi-source funding plan; preference to those with some alternative funding secured.
03
Admission
admission to a reputable postgraduate institution BEFORE applying; you must be starting the first year; already-started courses are ineligible.
04
Experience
some years of work experience in the field of interest; leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular/volunteer achievements evaluated.
05
Age preference
preference given to applicants under 30 years of age.
06
Loan commitment
half the award is a loan — 5% annual service charge, guarantor co-signature required, repayment over five years starting six months after the funded study period.
Document checklist
01Completed AKF ISP application form (obtained from the AKF national office).
02Valid passport copy.
03All academic transcripts (attested where required).
04Degree certificates.
05University admission letter / offer.
06Statement of academic and career goals.
07Recommendation letters (2–3, academic or professional).
08Evidence of financial need (family income documentation).
09CV / resume.
10English proficiency test scores (if required by the university).
Application fee
No fee — completely free (application forms are issued free by local offices; no fee stated anywhere official).
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: destination-dependent (any country except the UK and Russia) — apply for the student/study visa of your chosen country once you hold the university admission letter and the AKF award letter.
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Secure admission to a reputable postgraduate institution
(you must hold the university admission letter before applying; the programme is not available for study in the UK or Russia).
→
02
Contact your local AKF office or Aga
Khan Education Services/Board in your country of residence once the cycle opens (early 2027) to obtain the application form — forms are issued from the offices, not downloadable centrally.
→
03
Build a clear multi-source funding plan showing
genuine financial need — AKF is a gap-funder of last resort and prefers applicants who have secured some funding from alternative sources.
↓
06
Global competitive selection (usually June/July) → interviews
where required → notification late June/early July.
←
05
Submit the completed application to the local
office by its internal deadline (recent cycles closed 31 March; local offices may set earlier deadlines — confirm with your office).
←
04
Prepare documents (transcripts
certificates, admission letter, financial-need evidence, statement of academic and career goals, recommendation letters) and arrange a guarantor for the loan portion.
↓
07
Completed AKF ISP application form (obtained from
the AKF national office).
→
08
Valid passport copy.
→
09
All academic transcripts (attested where required).
↓
10
Degree certificates.
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme 2027/28 (AKF ISP) platform.
Is it a full scholarship? A: No — it is 50% grant and 50% loan, and covers tuition fees and living expenses only, according to need. International travel, clothing and family living expenses are not cCan I apply if I have already started my course? A: No — applications from students who have already started their course of study are not considered.Does the Foundation fund PhD study? A: Priority goes to Master's programmes; PhD applications are considered only for outstanding students, highly recommended by their professors, who need a PhD for tCan I study in the UK? A: No — at this time the programme is not available to students who wish to study in the United Kingdom or Russia.How do I apply? A: The process is decentralised — obtain the application form from your local AKF office or Aga Khan Education Services/Board from January each year; there is no central online portal.What are the loan terms? A: Half the award is a loan with a 5% annual service charge, co-signed by a guarantor, repaid over five years starting six months after the funded study period.When will I hear back? A: Awards are made through a competitive process once a year (June/July), with notification in late June or early July.Is it only for Ismaili Muslims? A: No — it is open to outstanding scholars from the selected countries regardless of faith.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Multiple countries