The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme supports postgraduate study for strong applicants from selected countries who lack other means of financing their education. Awards are made through a global, annual and competitive process, with only a limited number offered each cycle.
Recipients may attend reputable postgraduate institutions, including suitable local or regional universities and distance-learning programmes. The programme prioritises Master’s study but also considers PhD study, and the 2026–2027 cycle is closed.
Benefits & funding
- The award covers tuition and the student’s living expenses according to demonstrated need.
- Half of the award is a grant and half is a loan that must be repaid with a service charge.
- Master’s support lasts for the full degree course; PhD support covers the first two years.
- International travel, clothing, furniture and family members’ living expenses are not covered.
- A guarantor must co-sign the award agreement, and repayment begins six months after graduation, termination of studies or withdrawal of support, whichever happens first.
Eligibility
- Applicants must have excellent academic records and hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training or professional experience.
- They must demonstrate genuine financial need and present a reliable, multi-source plan covering every year of study.
- They must have admission to a reputable postgraduate institution and be entering the first year; applicants who have already enrolled or begun postgraduate study are ineligible.
- Leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions are required.
- The official page gives Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Uganda as examples of places where the programme is available. Applicants in Canada, Portugal and the United States must originate from one of those listed countries, and all applicants should confirm their route through the official eligibility tool.
- Study in the United Kingdom or Russia is currently ineligible. Applicants under 30 receive preference, but this is not a hard age limit.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor
Appears to have an age limit “under 30”
confirm in the requirements
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Application process
- 1Use the official eligibility tool to confirm the applicable country route.
- 2Follow the tool’s instructions to contact the local programme team.
- 3Secure admission and prepare evidence addressing the academic, financial, funding-plan and leadership criteria requested by the local team.
- 4Submit through the local process by the deadline that team confirms.
Program timeline
Applications closed for the 2026 East Africa route covering the Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda contacts.
Mar 31, 2026
The next global cycle is expected to open; the official site does not state an exact date.
Early 2027