Written by The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) offers a limited number of fully funded scholarships each year to outstanding and financially disadvantaged students from developing countries to pursue postgraduate studies.
The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship covers tuition fees and living expenses and is awarded for the entire duration of the approved degree programme.
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship Summary
- Host: Aga Khan Foundation
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Master’s Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: 17 Selected Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Living Stipends
- IELTS: Not Required
- Application Deadline: 31 March 2026
Scholarship Details
The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship provides an opportunity for academically outstanding students from developing countries who lack alternative means of financing their education to pursue postgraduate studies.
Established in 1969, the scholarship aims to support indigent and high-achieving students from less-privileged regions. To date, the programme has supported over 1,000 students worldwide.
Eligibility Requirements for Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship 2026
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have an excellent academic record
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional training/experience
- Be a citizen of a country where the AKF International Scholarship Programme (ISP) is available
- Demonstrate genuine financial need
- Present a realistic and well-structured multi-source funding plan
- Have secured admission to a reputable postgraduate institution
- Demonstrate strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular involvement, entrepreneurial achievements, or volunteer contributions
Note: Preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.
Benefits of the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
- Covers tuition fees and living expenses only
- Funding is provided for the first two years of study
- Priority is given to Master’s programmes, though PhD applications may also be considered
- Local and regional universities, as well as distance learning programmes, are acceptable if course quality is maintained
- Scholarship funding is structured as 50% grant and 50% loan
- The loan repayment period is five years, beginning six months after completion of the funded study period
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by local Scholarship Committees, focusing on:
- Financial circumstances
- Academic performance
- Extracurricular achievements
- Career plans
The annual Scholarship Selection Meeting takes place between late June and early July, and applicants are notified of the outcome shortly thereafter.
How to Apply for Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship 2026
The application process for the AKF International Scholarship Programme (ISP) is decentralised. Interested candidates should:
- Click the button below to visit the Aga Khan Foundation website
- Complete the Eligibility Form to determine qualification
- Contact the designated coordinator in your country of residence
- Complete the application form and attach all required documents
- Submit the completed application to the local coordinator before the deadline
Applications are managed locally in countries where the AKF ISP operates. Only successful applicants will be contacted.
Deadline: 31 March 2026