The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) runs an International Scholarship Programme (ISP) that helps a limited number of high-achieving students from developing countries fund postgraduate study. The award is competitive, runs once a year, and is designed for people who genuinely have no other reliable way to pay for graduate education.
What makes this scheme unusual is its structure: it is awarded on a 50% grant, 50% loan basis. Half of what you receive is a gift; the other half must be repaid later with a modest service charge. For African applicants from eligible countries — including Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Egypt — it can open the door to a strong university anywhere in the world, since the Foundation does not tie you to a single host country.
Because applications are handled by local AKF offices rather than a central body, the process is country-specific. That means your first job as an applicant is to find and contact the office that serves your country.
Scholarship benefits
- Support toward tuition fees.
- Support toward living expenses.
- Master’s awards funded for the full duration of the degree.
- PhD awards funded for the first two years of study only, after which you must find other support.
- Note: half the award is a grant; the other half is a loan repayable with a 5% annual service charge over five years, beginning six months after the funded study period ends. A guarantor must co-sign the loan agreement. Travel costs are not covered.
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ You are a national of one of the eligible countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada*, Egypt, France*, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal*, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda or the USA*.
- ✔ (For Canada, France, Portugal and the USA) you are originally from one of the listed developing countries, are pursuing development-related studies, and have no other means of financing your education.
- ✔ You have an excellent academic record.
- ✔ You hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/professional experience.
- ✔ You can demonstrate genuine financial need.
- ✔ You have built a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan.
- ✔ You have been admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution.
- ✔ You can show leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.
- ✔ Preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.
Application tips for African students
- Contact your local AKF office first. Internal deadlines vary by country and may fall earlier than the 31 March cut-off. Reach out months ahead to confirm requirements and the exact submission date.
- Secure your university admission early. You must already be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution, so plan your university applications so an offer arrives before the scholarship deadline.
- Build a credible multi-source funding plan. The Foundation expects you to show how the rest of your costs will be covered. List family contributions, part-time work, other scholarships and savings clearly and realistically.
- Line up a guarantor in advance. Because half the award is a repayable loan, a guarantor must co-sign the agreement. Identify and brief that person early so paperwork doesn’t stall your application.
- Get transcripts and certificates certified. Have official copies of your degree and academic records ready, and translated into the institution’s language where needed.
- Make your leadership and service concrete. Quantify your work experience, volunteer roles and any entrepreneurial achievements — selectors weigh these heavily.
- Submit through the right channel. Return your completed form to the agency that issued it; never send applications directly to Geneva.
How to apply
Applications are managed by AKF’s local offices, not a central office, and deadlines and requirements differ from country to country. Contact the office serving your country to obtain the form, confirm the internal deadline, and learn what supporting documents are required. Completed applications must be returned to the agency that issued the form. The overall annual deadline is 31 March 2026, though some countries set earlier internal deadlines. For full, country-specific instructions, visit the official page: https://www.akdn.org/our-agencies/aga-khan-foundation/international-scholarship-programme
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the AKF International Scholarship Programme?
Nationals of the listed countries — including Kenya, Egypt, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda — who hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, have strong academics, demonstrate financial need, and have been admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution.
What does the scholarship cover?
It assists with tuition fees and living expenses only. Travel costs are not included. Master’s students are funded for the whole degree, while PhD students receive funding for the first two years only.
Do I have to pay any of it back?
Yes. The award is structured as 50% grant and 50% loan. The loan portion is repaid over five years with a 5% annual service charge, starting six months after the funded study period, and requires a guarantor to co-sign.
Where can I study with this scholarship?
You may study at any reputable university or postgraduate institution of higher learning — the Foundation does not restrict you to a particular host country.
What is the deadline?
The annual deadline is 31 March 2026, but internal deadlines set by individual country offices may be earlier, so confirm with your local office.
Can I apply for a short course?
No. Applications for short-term courses are not considered. Priority goes to Master’s-level study, though PhD applications are also accepted.