The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship offers a limited number of fully funded scholarships each year for outstanding students from developing countries who lack alternative means of financing their postgraduate education.
The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship covers tuition fees and living expenses and is awarded for the full duration of the approved degree programme, enabling beneficiaries to pursue Master’s or PhD studies without financial burden.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: Aga Khan Foundation
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Master’s Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: 17 Selected Developing Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Living Stipends
- IELTS: Not Required
- Deadline: March 31, 2026
Scholarship Details
The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship is designed for academically excellent individuals from developing countries who demonstrate genuine financial need and have no other means of funding their postgraduate education. The scholarship provides an opportunity for deserving students to study at reputable institutions worldwide.
Established in 1969, the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship Programme was created to help indigent students from less-privileged countries gain access to postgraduate education and develop skills that contribute to societal progress.
To date, the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship has supported over 1,000 students globally, empowering them to achieve academic excellence and professional growth.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship, applicants must:
- Have an excellent academic record
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or possess equivalent professional training or experience
- Be a citizen of a country where the AKF International Scholarship Programme (ISP) is available
- Demonstrate genuine financial need
- Present a well-structured, realistic, and multi-source funding plan
- Have secured admission to a reputable postgraduate institution
- Demonstrate strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer involvement
Note: Preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants for the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship will receive:
- Support for tuition fees and living expenses only
- Funding provided for the first two years of study, after which beneficiaries are expected to secure alternative funding
- Priority consideration for Master’s programmes, with limited support available for PhD studies
- Eligibility for funding at local or regional universities and distance learning programmes, provided academic quality standards are met
The scholarship is structured as:
- 50% grant and 50% loan
- Loan repayment over a five-year period, starting six months after completion of the funded study period
Selection Process
Applicants should be prepared to:
- Attend interviews conducted by local Scholarship Committees
- Discuss their financial circumstances, academic performance, extracurricular achievements, and long-term career plans
The annual Scholarship Selection Meeting is held between late June and early July, after which the Aga Khan Foundation notifies applicants of their final outcomes.
How to Apply
To apply for the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship 2026:
- Complete the eligibility form to determine qualification for the programme
- Candidates will be referred to the local coordinator in their country of residence for eligibility verification and application submission
- Carefully complete the application form and attach all required supporting documents
- Submit the completed application to the local coordinator before the deadline
Applications are managed by designated contacts in countries where the AKF International Scholarship Programme is available. Successful applicants will be contacted directly regarding the outcome of their applications.
To apply for this scholarship, click HERE
To receive more scholarship updates, click HERE
To join EDUSPUR WhatsApp Channel, click HERE
