Aga Khan International Scholarship Program 2026-2027

Scholarship in Applied Science , in Art and Humanities , in Business and Law , in Education and Languages , in Engineering , in Medicine , in Natural Science

Canada
Apply Before : March 31, 2026

Opportunity ID 1155
Degree Master PH.D
Language Requirement TOEFL IELTS
Fields of study Various fields
Opportunity Type : Partially Funded
Gender Male Female
Language of Instruction English
Application Fee Required No

Opportunity Description

Applications are now open for the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program (AKF ISP) for the academic year 2025-2026. If you are a national of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, or Uganda and are seeking scholarships to pursue your master’s degree or Ph.D. in Canada, the USA, France, or Portugal, you can apply to the Aga Khan International Scholarship Program.

The Aga Khan International Scholarship program is awarded annually to students who do not have any other financial resources to continue their studies. The main purpose of this scholarship is to prepare scholars and leaders for employment.

Awards through the AKF ISP are granted based on need; however, viewing the AKF ISP as a last resort and seeking alternative funding sources is advisable. To minimize your request amount, secure multiple funding options. Refer to the “Examples of Other Scholarships and Financial Assistance Programmes” section for a preliminary list of alternative funding sources.

The AKF ISP prioritizes Master’s programs and evaluates PhD application applications. Funding for local/regional universities and distance learning programs is available, provided the course maintains quality standards. Applications for part-time programs, short-term courses, or from students already enrolled in postgraduate studies are not considered.

Key Details

Study Level:

Master’s Degree
PhD

Duration of Scholarship: Master: Entire Course Duration, Ph.D.: 2 years

Application Start: January 2026

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

Selection Period: Late June – Early July

Location:

France
USA
Portugal
Canada

Benefits of the Aga Khan International Scholarship Program

The Scholarship covers:

Tuition fees
Living expenses

This Scholarship is provided 50% on a grant and 50% on a loan basis. This Scholarship is awarded through a competitive application process. The 50% based on the loan must be reimbursed with an annual service charge of 5 percent. A guarantor is required to co-sign the loan agreement. You need to pay this check-in for five years. The payment starts six months after the Aga Khan Foundation funds the study period.

Requirement and Eligibility

You need to meet the following requirements:

Be a national /resident of the countries listed above
Have excellent academic records
Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/professional experience
Demonstration of genuine financial need
Construction of a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan
Admission to a reputable postgraduate institution
Strong leadership potential
Professional expertise, extracurricular, or entrepreneurial achievements
Volunteer contributions
preference is given to applicants under 30
Eligible countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, France, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, USA

You may like:

Selection Criteria

The scholars are selected based on the following criteria:

Consistent Academic excellence
Genuine financial need
Get admitted to a reputable university or study program
Fields of study are related to AKDN’s focus areas.

Your achievements, career plans, ability to be successful in a foreign academic environment, and work experience can affect your selection.

How do you apply for the Aga Khan International Scholarship Program?

Applications are processed by local units of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), or Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB).
If you are interested in applying, please answer the questions using the this scholarship’s eligibility tool on the Foundation website. If you are deemed to be eligible, you will receive an email address from one of the foundation’s local units, who administer the application process.AKF, AKES, or AKEB
Contact the appropriate country-level entity for an application form
Apply via the local office corresponding to your country of residence (e.g., Afghanistan or Kenya)
Submit the completed application to the agency providing the ISP application form.
Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted

If you live in Afghanistan, you can contact the Aga Khan Foundation Office in Kabul or contact them via email, as mentioned here.

Aga Khan Foundation (Afghanistan)

For more information about the Aga Khan International Scholarship Program, please visit the Aga Khan Foundation Website.

Similar Opportunities:

Romanian Government Scholarships for International Students, 2025-26 (All Degrees)

University of Edinburgh ‘Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarships’ 2025 in the UK