In order to foster influential scholars and leaders and to prepare them for employment, primarily within the AKDN, the Aga Khan Foundation scholarship a small number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from particular developing countries who have no other means of funding their studies. Scholarships are given out annually in June or July through a competitive application process on a 50/50 grant/loan basis. The Foundation prioritizes requests for master’s level courses. Still, it is open to considering applications for PhD programs only in the case of exceptional students who are strongly encouraged by their professors to pursue doctoral studies and who need a PhD to achieve their career goals. Applications for short-term courses or from students who have already begun their course of study are not taken into consideration.
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, and Mozambique are among the nations from which the Foundation accepts applications. Applications are accepted in France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada from natives of one of the aforementioned developing nations, who are interested in studies connected to development and have no other means of financing their study.
Aga Khan Scholarship Details
Scholarship Type | Merit-Based, Need-Based |
Offered by | Trust |
Organization | Aga Khan Foundation |
Application Deadline | Mar 31,2022 |
No. of Scholarships | N/A |
Amount | Variable |
Renewability | One Time Payment |
International Students Eligible | Yes |
Scholarship Website Link | https://www.akdn.org/our-agencies/aga-khan-foundation/international-scholarship-programme |
Aga Khan Scholarship Eligibility
Geographic Scope
The Foundation accepts applications from nationals of the following countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar and Mozambique. In France, Portugal, the UK, USA and Canada, applications are accepted from those who are originally from one of the above-developing countries, are interested in development-related studies and who have no other means of financing their education.
Residency Requirement
The Foundation only accepts applications of eligible nationals listed above who are residing in one of the countries where there are local Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), or Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB) offices which process applications and interview candidates.
Age Limit
Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.
Aga Khan Scholarship Selection Criteria
The main criteria for selecting award winners are l) consistently excellent academic records, 2) genuine financial need, 3) admission to a highly reputable university or programme of study and 4) relevance of the field of study to AKDN’s focus areas. Candidates are also evaluated on demonstrating thoughtful and coherent educational and career plans, their extra-curricular interests and achievements, potential to achieve their goals and likelihood to succeed in a foreign academic environment. Applicants are expected to have some years of work experience in their field of interest.
Financial Assistance
The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only. The cost of travel is not included in AKF scholarships. Funding for PhD programmes is only provided for the first two years of study, after which the students are expected to find alternative sources of assistance. Financial assistance is provided according to the needs of students, but the ISP must be considered a lender of last resort. Applicants are requested to make every effort to obtain funding from other sources as well so that the amount requested from the Foundation can be reduced to a minimum. Preference is given to those who have been able to secure some funding from alternative sources.
Loan Conditions
Half of the scholarship amount is considered as a loan, which must be reimbursed with an annual service charge of five per cent. A guarantor is required to co-sign the loan agreement. The payback period is five years, starting six months after the study period funded by the Aga Khan Foundation.
How to Apply for Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
- Application forms can be obtained from the Aga Khan Foundation or Aga Khan Education Board/Service office in the applicant’s country of current residence
- Completed applications should be returned to the agency from which the form was obtained, or to the address indicated on the front of the form. They should not be sent to Geneva.
It is also best to check the scholarship website for more details. Official Link