Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships

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Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships

The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from select developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies, in order to develop effective scholars and leaders and to prepare them for employment, primarily within the AKDN.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Masters, PhD
Institution(s): Aga Khan Foundation
Study in: Any highly reputable university except universities in UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway and Ireland
Program Period: According to chosen university
Deadline: March 31, 2026

Courses Offered

Health
Education
Culture
Rural development
Institution building
Economic development
Agriculture and food security
Civil society
Enterprise development
Financial inclusion
Habitat
Historic cities
Humanitarian assistance
Industrial development
Infrastructure development
Media
Music
Tourism promotion

Scholarship Coverage

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships provides the recipient with the following benefits:

The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only.
Funding for PhD programs 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.
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

The payback period is five years, starting six months after the study period funded by the Aga Khan Foundation.

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Eligibility Criteria got Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships

To qualify for Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships, candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements below:

Required Language: As per chosen institute requirement.
Eligible Countries: 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, 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.
Consistently excellent academic records.
Genuine financial need.
Admission to a highly reputable university or program of study.
Relevance of the field of study to AKDN’s focus areas.
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.
Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.

How to Apply for Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships?

Please follow the following application instructions to apply for Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships:

You should have an offer to study at the chosen university.
Obtain application form from AKF offices or Aga Khan Education Services / Boards in the country of your current residence.
Sent the completed application to the agency from which it was obtained. They should not be sent to Geneva.

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Ultimate Guide: Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships for African Students

Funding a postgraduate degree abroad can feel like an uphill battle. If you are an ambitious student from Africa looking to pursue a Master’s or PhD, you have likely come across the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (AKF ISP).

Unlike completely free rides, this prestigious program features a unique, highly sustainable funding model designed to build accountability and empower future leaders. Let’s break down everything you need to know about eligibility, the unique financing structure, and how to apply successfully.

What is the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship?

Established to support outstanding scholars from selected developing countries, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) provides a limited number of postgraduate scholarships each year. The ultimate goal is to prepare gifted individuals for employment and leadership roles that directly contribute to development challenges in their home regions.

The program gives strict priority to Master’s degree courses. While it will occasionally consider highly outstanding PhD candidates who require a doctoral degree for their academic or research career goals, undergraduate or short-term certificate courses are completely excluded.

The 50/50 Funding Model: How It Works

One of the most important things to understand before applying is the financial structure. The AKF ISP does not offer 100% grants. Instead, its awards are split right down the middle:

50% Grant: Half of the money provided is an absolute scholarship that you do not have to pay back.
50% Loan: The remaining half is treated as a student loan that carries an annual 5% service charge.

Loan Repayment Conditions

To secure the loan portion, you will need a reliable guarantor to co-sign your agreement. Your payback period spans five years, and repayments kick off exactly six months after you graduate, terminate your studies, or alter your student standing.

⚠️ Resource of Last Resort: The foundation explicitly states that its funding covers tuition fees and basic living expenses only—international travel/flight costs are not included. You are highly encouraged to show a multi-source financial plan, combining this award with other international student scholarships or personal savings.

Geographic Scope: Which African Countries are Eligible?

The AKF scholarship program operates through a highly decentralized application process. This means you can only apply if you are a national and a current resident of a country that hosts a local Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Education Services, or Aga Khan Education Board office.

Within Africa, the eligible countries currently include:

Kenya
Tanzania
Uganda
Madagascar
Mozambique
Egypt

Note for African Diaspora Students: If you are originally from one of the African countries listed above but currently reside in Canada, France, Portugal, or the USA, you may still be permitted to apply through the local branch in that western country, provided your studies are strictly development-related. However, please note that the AKF ISP does not fund programs for students wishing to study within the United Kingdom.

Core Eligibility Criteria

To make it through the highly competitive screening process, candidates must meet the following strict parameters:

Academic Excellence: You must hold a consistently excellent undergraduate academic record (typically a First Class or strong Second Class Upper degree).
Age Limit: Clear preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.
Professional Grounding: Applicants who already have a few years of relevant work or volunteer experience in their chosen fields stand a much higher chance.
Admission Status: You must have already secured admission to a highly reputable, accredited university. The foundation does not offer scholarships to individuals who have already commenced their postgraduate courses.
Relevant Fields of Study: Your chosen course must tie closely into the priority focus areas of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). These typically include fields like Architecture, Planning & Building, Civil Society, Health, Education, Culture, Rural Development, Economic Development, and Humanitarian Assistance.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Because the application procedure is decentralized, you must never send your application directly to the main headquarters in Geneva. It will be immediately rejected. Instead, follow these steps:

1.Secure University Admission:Pre-requisite.

Apply to and secure an official admission offer from a highly reputable postgraduate institution. Ensure the program starts in the upcoming autumn academic cycle.

2.Obtain the Application Form:January – March.

Contact your country’s local Aga Khan Foundation or Education Board office to request the official application package. This window typically opens every year on January 1st.

3.Prepare Your Funding Plan:February.

Construct a coherent financial document showing how you plan to cover costs not met by the AKF (such as international flights). Take local English proficiency tests like the IELTS or PTE if your destination university requires them.

4.Submit via the Local Office:By March 31st Deadline.

Complete and return the physical or digital forms to the exact local agency where you obtained them. Note that individual country branches often set internal deadlines earlier than the global March 31st cutoff.

5.Attend the Selection Interview:May – June.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited by local selection committees to undergo a rigorous interview covering academic performance, financial need, and long-term career plans.

Final award notifications are officially announced globally around late June or early July each year. If you are preparing for future academic tracking alongside standard testing structures, staying updated on regional exam expectations through portals detailing JAMB updates or local entry pipelines can keep your foundational records sharp.