The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships offer opportunities for exceptional international students to pursue master’s degrees at esteemed universities, except those in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, and Ireland.
Each year, the Aga Khan Foundation awards a limited number of scholarships to outstanding students from select developing countries who lack alternative means of funding their postgraduate studies. The aim is to cultivate capable scholars and leaders, preparing them for employment, primarily within the AKDN. The application process is competitive and takes place once a year in either June or July. The scholarships are granted on a 50% grant and 50% loan basis.
While the Foundation primarily prioritizes requests for Master’s level courses, it is open to considering applications for PhD programs under special circumstances. These special cases pertain to highly recommended students who aspire to pursue doctoral studies for the fulfillment of their career objectives, whether in academia or research.
Also see, Harvard University Scholarships 2025 (Fully Funded)
What Does Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships Cover?
The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships offer the following benefits to recipients:
- Tuition fees and living expenses are covered by the Foundation.
- For PhD programs, funding is provided for the initial two years of study. Students are expected to secure other sources of financial assistance for the remaining duration.
- Financial aid is determined based on the individual needs of the students.
- Applicants are encouraged to seek funding from other sources to minimize the amount requested from the Foundation.
- Preference is given to those who have secured funding from alternative sources.
Loan Conditions:
Half of the scholarship amount is considered as a loan, subject to a 5% annual service charge.
A guarantor must co-sign the loan agreement.
The repayment period for the loan is five years, starting six months after the study period funded by the Aga Khan Foundation.
Eligibility Criteria got Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships
To be eligible for the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Language Proficiency: Fulfill the language requirements specified by the chosen institute.
- Nationality: Applications are accepted from nationals of the following countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, and Mozambique. Additionally, individuals from France, Portugal, UK, USA, and Canada may apply if they are originally from one of the above developing countries, are interested in development-related studies, and lack alternative means of funding their education.
- Academic Excellence: Maintain consistently excellent academic records.
- Financial Need: Demonstrate genuine financial need.
- University Admission: Secure admission to a highly reputable university or program of study.
- Field of Study Relevance: Show the relevance of the chosen field of study to AKDN’s focus areas.
- Educational and Career Plans: Present thoughtful and coherent educational and career plans.
- Extra-Curricular Achievements: Highlight their extra-curricular interests and achievements, as well as their potential to achieve their goals and succeed in a foreign academic environment.
- Work Experience: Possess some years of work experience in their field of interest.
- Age Preference: Preference is given to applicants under 30 years of age.
How to Apply for Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships?
To apply for the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships, please carefully follow the instructions below:
- University Admission: First and foremost, ensure that you have received an offer of admission to study at your chosen university. The scholarship application requires proof of acceptance into the university or program of study.
- Application Form: Obtain the official application form from one of the following sources:
- AKF Offices: Visit the Aga Khan Foundation offices in your country of current residence to collect the application form.
- Aga Khan Education Services/Boards: Alternatively, you can obtain the application form from the Aga Khan Education Services or Aga Khan Boards operating in your country.
- Complete the Application: Thoroughly fill out the application form with accurate and up-to-date information. Ensure that you provide all the required documents and fulfill the eligibility criteria as specified in the form.
- Submission: Once the application form is complete, submit it to the agency from which you obtained the form. Please note that applications should not be sent to the Aga Khan Foundation’s headquarters in Geneva.
- Application Deadline: Be mindful of the scholarship application deadline, as late submissions might not be considered.
- Await the Results: After submitting your application, the selection process will take place, and successful candidates will be notified of their award.
Faqs on Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships
Where should I submit the completed application form?
Send the completed application form to the agency from which it was obtained. Do not send it to Geneva or the Aga Khan Foundation headquarters.
What is the repayment process for the loan portion of the scholarship?
Half of the scholarship amount is considered as a loan, which must be repaid with an annual service charge of 5%. The payback period is five years, starting six months after the study period funded by the Aga Khan Foundation.
What are the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships?
The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships are financial aid opportunities offered to outstanding students from select developing countries who wish to pursue postgraduate studies at highly reputable universities worldwide, excluding certain countries like the UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, and Ireland.
Who is eligible to apply for the scholarships?
Nationals of countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, and Mozambique are eligible to apply. In France, Portugal, the UK, the USA, and Canada, individuals originally from the specified developing countries interested in development-related studies and lacking other financial means can also apply.
What are the preferred fields of study for the scholarships?
The scholarships give priority to Master’s level courses. However, exceptional students who are highly recommended for doctoral studies by their professors and require a Ph.D. for their career objectives (academic or research-oriented) may also be considered.
Conclusion
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships offer a remarkable opportunity for outstanding students from select developing countries to pursue postgraduate studies at prestigious universities worldwide, excluding certain countries.
By providing financial aid to deserving individuals with genuine financial needs and a passion for development-related studies, the Foundation aims to nurture effective scholars and leaders, preparing them for impactful careers primarily within the AKDN.