Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship 2026-2027: Complete Guide — Eligibility, Value & How to Apply

Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship funds Master's and PhD study for students from 15+ countries. Half grant, half loan. Covers tuition and living expenses.

Overview

The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (AKF ISP) has supported scholars from the developing world since 1969, funding postgraduate studies at reputable universities worldwide. The programme targets talented individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership potential, and genuine financial need, with the goal of building human capacity in communities served by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Unlike most scholarships, the AKF ISP is structured as a half grant, half loan arrangement. Recipients must repay 50% of the scholarship amount after completing their studies, creating a revolving fund that supports future scholars. The scholarship covers tuition fees and living expenses for the full duration of a Master's programme or the first two years of a PhD programme.

The programme is open to citizens of specific countries where the AKDN operates, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and several others. Preference goes to candidates under 30 who are entering their first year of postgraduate study and who have no other means of financing their education. Over more than five decades, the AKF ISP has supported over 1,500 students.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Aga Khan Foundation, part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
Degree Levels	Master's, PhD
Value	Tuition fees and living expenses covered. Structured as 50% grant and 50% interest-free loan (repayable after graduation)
Deadline	March 2026
Duration	Full duration of Master's programmes; first 2 years of PhD programmes
Eligible Nationalities	Citizens of Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Extended eligibility for residents of Canada, Portugal, and USA originally from listed countries.
Official Website	https://the.akdn/en/what-we-do/developing-human-capacity/education/international-scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and show strong academic records. Admission to a reputable postgraduate institution is required before or during the application process. Academic achievement is a primary selection criterion.

Nationality Requirements

Applicants must be citizens of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, or Uganda. Residents of Canada, Portugal, and the USA who are originally from these countries are also eligible. The programme is not available to applicants in the United Kingdom or Russia.

Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the language requirements of their chosen university. No specific test is mandated by the Aga Khan Foundation itself, but proficiency in the language of instruction is expected.

Work Experience

No specific work experience is required. Professional achievements and leadership potential are evaluated. Preference goes to young professionals who can show how their education will benefit their communities.

Other Requirements

Applicants must be entering their first year of postgraduate study. Students who have already enrolled in or started postgraduate studies are not eligible. Genuine financial need must be shown through a detailed, reliable, multi-source funding plan. Preference goes to candidates under 30.

Scholarship Benefits

Tuition fees covered for the full duration of the Master's programme or first two years of PhD
Living expenses (accommodation, food, and essential costs) funded during the study period
50% of the award is a non-repayable grant
Remaining 50% is an interest-free loan repayable after graduation on flexible terms
Funding available for study at any reputable university worldwide
Access to the AKDN network and alumni community for professional development
Scholars contribute to a revolving fund that supports future students
No restriction on field of study, as long as it is at a recognised postgraduate institution

How to Apply

Verify Eligibility and Country Availability: Use the eligibility tool on the AKDN website to confirm your country of citizenship qualifies. Verify that you are entering your first year of postgraduate study and have not already started a postgraduate programme.
Obtain the Application Form: Application forms are available from January 1 each year through AKF offices or Aga Khan Education Services/Boards in your country of current residence. Contact the local AKDN office to get the form and learn about any country-specific requirements.
Secure Admission to a Postgraduate Programme: Apply to and gain admission at a reputable university for a Master's or PhD programme. The AKF ISP requires proof of admission as part of the scholarship application.
Prepare a Multi-Source Funding Plan: Put together a detailed funding plan showing how you intend to finance your studies. The AKF ISP fills a gap, so you must show you have explored other funding sources (family support, savings, employer sponsorship, other scholarships) and explain the remaining financial need.
Complete and Submit the Application: Fill out the application form with all required information, including academic records, financial documentation, personal statement, and references. Submit the completed application to the same AKF office or Aga Khan Education Board from which you got the form, by the March 31 deadline.
Interview and Selection: Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by local AKF committees. The final selection weighs academic merit, financial need, leadership potential, and the strength of the funding plan. Results are communicated before the start of the academic year.

Required Documents

Completed AKF International Scholarship Programme application form
Official academic transcripts from all prior institutions
Bachelor's degree certificate or equivalent
Admission offer letter from the host university
Detailed multi-source funding plan demonstrating financial need
Financial documentation (family income statements, tax returns, or equivalent)
Personal statement outlining academic goals, career plans, and how the education will benefit your community
Two or three letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees
CV or resume detailing academic, professional, and leadership experience
Copy of valid passport or national identity document

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	January 1 each year
Application Deadline	March 31, 2026 for the 2026–2027 academic year
Results Announced	Before the start of the academic year (typically June–August 2026)
Course Start	Varies by host university; typically September–October 2026

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

Spell out how your postgraduate education will benefit your community and country of origin when you return
Show leadership potential through specific examples of professional achievements or community involvement
Present a realistic, detailed funding plan proving you have explored all alternative sources before applying to AKF

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying after having already started postgraduate studies, which makes you ineligible
Failing to prepare a credible multi-source funding plan (this is a make-or-break evaluation criterion)
Not contacting the local AKF office early enough to get the application form (forms are only available from January 1)
Submitting late or incomplete applications after the March 31 deadline
Overlooking the half-loan structure and not preparing for the repayment obligation after graduation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship a full grant?

The scholarship is structured as 50% grant and 50% interest-free loan. Recipients must repay half of the total award amount after completing their studies. The loan portion carries no interest, and repayment terms are flexible.

Which countries are eligible for the AKF ISP?

Eligible countries include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Residents of Canada, Portugal, and the USA originally from these countries are also eligible.

Can I apply if I have already started my postgraduate studies?

The AKF ISP is exclusively for students entering their first year of postgraduate study. Those who have already enrolled in or started postgraduate programmes are ineligible.

Does the scholarship cover international travel?

The scholarship covers tuition and living expenses but explicitly excludes international travel, clothing, furniture, and expenses for family members.

Is there an age limit?

There is no strict age cutoff, but preference goes to candidates under 30. Older applicants with strong profiles may still be considered.

Can I study in any country?

The scholarship supports study at any reputable postgraduate institution worldwide. There are no restrictions on the host country, field of study, or specific university, as long as the institution is recognised.

How do I obtain the application form?

Application forms are available from January 1 each year through AKF offices or Aga Khan Education Services/Boards in your country of current residence. Contact the local office directly to request the form.

What is a multi-source funding plan?

A detailed breakdown of how you plan to finance your studies, showing contributions from family, savings, employer sponsorship, other scholarships, and the AKF ISP. The Foundation expects applicants to have explored all available funding sources before applying.

Is the scholarship open to all fields of study?

There are no restrictions on the field of study. The AKF ISP supports postgraduate programmes across all disciplines at recognised institutions.

When does the next application cycle open?

The 2026–2027 application cycle had a March 31, 2026 deadline. The next cycle (2027–2028) is expected to open on January 1, 2027, with forms available from local AKF offices.

Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship 2026-2027