Overview
Scholarship type
Merit based
Number of scholarships to award
Multiple
Grant
50% tuition fee waiver
Scholarship coverage
- tuition fee reduction
- living expenses
Description
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.
Applicable programmes
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.
In order to maintain an AKF ISP award, you need to demonstrate good academic standing, as well as ongoing financial need, during the course of your postgraduate programme.
Eligibility
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.
Scholarship requirements
Disciplines
Any
Locations
18 countries
Nationality
13 nationalities
Study experience required
Bachelor
Age
Unknown
Application
Application deadline
31 Mar 2026
Applications are handled by local units of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), or Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB).
If you are interested in applying, please answer the questions in the eligibility tool. If you are deemed to be eligible, you will receive an email address for one of their local units, who administer the application process.