The Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme

About

The Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme (AKF ISP) offers exceptional scholars from the specified nations listed below who lack alternative funding for their studies the opportunity to pursue postgraduate education.

The AKF ISP is available in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. In Canada, France, Portugal and the USA, applications are accepted from applicants who are originally from one of the countries listed above. Note: The AKF ISP is not available to students who wish to study in the United Kingdom.

Furthermore, award recipients are chosen via a global, annual, and competitive application procedure. To maintain an AKF ISP award, you must demonstrate good academic standing and continuous financial need during the course of your postgraduate programme.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an AKF ISP award, you must:

• Have excellent academic records.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/professional experience.
• Demonstrate genuine financial need.
• Demonstrate a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan that covers all years of study.
• Be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution. [Applications for part-time programmes and short-term courses are not considered.]
• Be starting the first year of the programme (Applicants must be entering their first year of study in a postgraduate programme. Students who have already enrolled in or have commenced their postgraduate studies are not eligible).
• Have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.

Note: Preference is given to young professionals under the age of 30.

Additional Information

The scholarship award does not cover, for example, the cost of international travel, clothing, furniture, or living expenses for family members.

AKF ISP awards are structured as half grant and half loan – where you must repay 50% of the award amount. Scholarships for Master’s studies are granted for the entire degree course duration. For PhD students, scholarships are awarded for the first two years, after which you are expected to find funding from alternative or other sources.

Please note that a guarantor is required to co-sign the award agreement. Repayment of the loan component, which includes a service charge, begins six months after the first of the following events:

1. Graduation,
2. Termination of studies, or
3. The withdrawal of support following failure to meet the academic standards expected of ISP students.

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