The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program grants postgraduate scholarships to exceptional scholars from specified countries who have no access to other sources of funding. Nearly a thousand students have received financial benefits through the AKF ISP since His Highness the Aga Khan established it in 1969.
The international, annual, competitive application process determines the award recipients. The AKF ISP provides a limited number of new awards in each cycle. The 2024–2025 cycle is now closed formally. Applications for the 2025–2026 cycle will be accepted in early January 2025.
Eligibility criteria
In order to be eligible for an award from AKF ISP, you must:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree and work experience; show that you genuinely need it.
- Give you a solid financial plan that will support you for the duration of your studies, get you admitted into a prestigious postgraduate program.
- Be part of the class in the first intake, and boast a distinguished record of volunteer work, extracurricular activity, professional experience, and leadership potential.
Note: Priority is given to young professionals under the age of thirty. Please consider the AKF ISP a last-resort resource and look for other sources of funding to reduce the amount you request, as awards are given out based on necessity.
AKF ISP will also examine PhD applications, while Master’s programs will receive priority. As long as the level of the courses is maintained, ISP funding is available for local and regional universities and distance learning programs. Applications are not accepted for part-time programs or short-term courses.
Candidates must begin their postgraduate studies in their first year of study. It is not open to students who have already begun or enrolled in PhD courses.
Procedure for Applications
Applications are handled by the Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), or the Local Aga Khan Foundation (AKF).
The application process will be made available in full when the next cycle starts in January 2025.
Conditions of Award
You are required to repay half of the entire amount awarded; grants from the AKF ISP are set up as half loans and half grants. Master’s degree recipients are awarded scholarships for the length of the program. PhD candidates are eligible for scholarships for the first two years; beyond that, they will need to find other sources of funding.
The award covers both living expenses and tuition. However, it doesn’t pay for family members living expenses, apparel, furniture, or overseas trips.
To maintain your AKF ISP award, you must continue to demonstrate financial need and a strong academic record during your postgraduate studies.
A guarantor has to co-sign the award agreement. The loan portion, which entails a service charge, must be repaid six months following the earliest of the following events:
Study completion, study termination, and aid withheld due to noncompliance with ISP academic criteria are the three possible outcomes.
