The Aga Khan Foundation was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan with the objective of assisting talented and exceptional students from developing nations. These individuals, who lack alternative funding options, are provided support to pursue full-time postgraduate studies at renowned higher education institutions of their preference. So, in this post, we will talk about Aga Khan Foundation international scholarship program.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for the program, applicants must satisfy the following selection criteria:

1. Excellent academic records.
2. Demonstrated genuine financial need. While the ISP aims to assist students in financial need, it should be considered as a last resort. Applicants must provide evidence that they have explored and secured alternative sources of funding. The determination of award funding is made on an individual basis, taking into account the eligible student’s expenses and deducting other grants, loans (if applicable), parental contribution, and student employment income. All students are strongly encouraged to seek additional financial support from other sources to reduce their reliance on the Foundation’s funding.
3. Admission to a recognized and reputable postgraduate institution of higher learning. Priority is given to applicants pursuing Master’s degree courses, but applications for PhD studies are also considered. Local/regional universities and distance learning programs are acceptable for ISP funding, provided that the courses maintain a high standard of quality.
4. Strong professional experience, including extracurricular achievements, volunteer contributions, and demonstrated leadership skills. These factors are taken into consideration during the selection process.

Aga Khan Foundation international scholarship programme Application Process

The selection of award recipients for the ISP is conducted through a competitive annual application process. The ISP is open to applicants from the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada*, Egypt, France*, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal*, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the USA*. In Canada, France, Portugal, and the USA, applications are accepted from individuals who are originally from one of the listed developing countries, have an interest in development-related studies, and lack alternative means of financing their education.

Application Eligibility and Process

Applicants must be nationals residing in one of the countries mentioned above. To ensure a smooth application process, interested individuals are required to coordinate with the relevant country-based unit responsible for handling applications. Applicants residing in India should apply through the local office in India, while those residing in Kenya should apply through the local office in Kenya, and so on. The Foundation exclusively accepts applications from eligible nationals listed above who are currently residing in countries where there are local Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), or Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB) offices that process applications and conduct candidate interviews.

Preference and Application Restrictions

In order to prioritize the responsible utilization of ISP funds, preference is given to applicants who have actively sought and obtained funding from alternative sources. It is strongly encouraged for applicants to explore all possible avenues for financial assistance, aiming to minimize the amount requested from the Foundation. While the list provided below is not exhaustive, it highlights other scholarships and financial assistance programs that may be relevant to applicants.

Preference is granted to young professionals under the age of 30.

Note that:

1. Applications for short-term courses are not considered.
2. Applications from students who have already commenced their postgraduate studies or are enrolled in part-time programs are not eligible for consideration.

Application Timelines

Interested students should reach out to their local office to obtain the necessary application forms, inquire about the deadline dates, and familiarize themselves with the specific application requirements applicable to their country.

Note:

• Completed applications must be submitted to the agency from which the ISP application form was obtained. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Local scholarship committees may conduct interviews with applicants to discuss their financial situation, academic performance, extracurricular achievements, and career plans. These interviews serve as a means to assess the applicants’ suitability for the program.

Global Round Decisions and Award Conditions

Final decisions for the global, competitive award are made by an international selection panel in July. Students who reach the final round will receive notification of their application outcome shortly thereafter.

Award Conditions

The ISP awards consist of a combination of a grant and a loan, with the applicant being responsible for repaying 50 percent of the award amount. Aga Khan Foundation international scholarship programme for Master’s studies is granted for the entire duration of the degree program. For PhD students, scholarships are awarded for the first two years, and thereafter, students are expected to secure funding from other sources.

A cumulative service charge of five percent per year is imposed on the loan amount. The student’s head of family or another guarantor is required to co-sign the loan agreement.

The repayment period begins five years after the earlier occurrence of: a) graduation, b) termination of studies, or c) withdrawal of support due to failure to meet academic standards expected of ISP students. Individuals who continue their education after completing an ISP-funded program are eligible for a moratorium. Graduates who return to work in a developing country and stay there qualify for a two-year moratorium.

The award includes coverage for the student’s tuition fees and living expenses. It does not cover living expenses for family members or the expenses associated with international travel.

Read also: 14 US Scholarship for Indian Students [Partially and 100% Funded]

Country Contact

To ensure effective communication, please use the email or mailing address corresponding to your current country of residence. If an email address is not available for your country of residence, it indicates that the program is not currently available there.

United States of America: Email: akfisp@usaji.org, scholarships.akfusa@akdn.org, Telephone: (202) 2932537.

Read also: Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad