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MastersPartial Funding

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme funds outstanding African and Asian students from selected developing countries to pursue a master's or PhD abroad — through a 50% grant and 50% loan structure.

Provider
Aga Khan Foundation
Host country
Multiple
Deadline
Expected March 31, 2027 (annual cycle)

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
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; construct a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan; be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution; and have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.
Funding
Partial Funding
Study level
Masters
Deadline
Expected March 31, 2027 (annual cycle)

Key eligibility criteria

  • 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; construct a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan; be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution; and have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.

Recorded funding information

  • Partial Funding

About the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (2026)

The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (ISP) funds outstanding postgraduate students from selected developing countries — including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar and Egypt in Africa — to pursue a master's or PhD at any university in the world. It is administered through AKF country offices. ## Why this scholarship matters for African applicants Aga Khan ISP is distinctive for two reasons: it is one of the few scholarships that lets you choose any university worldwide (rather than a fixed list), and it operates as 50% grant + 50% interest-free loan. The loan structure makes it more sustainable to fund larger cohorts each year. ## What the award covers Up to 50% of tuition fees and living costs as a grant, and the remaining 50% as an interest-free loan repayable over 5 years after graduation. Travel and visa costs may be partially covered depending on the country office. ## How the selection process works Apply through the AKF office in your country — not directly to the global secretariat. Eligible countries each run their own annual application window with country-specific shortlisting, interviews and final selection. Selection prioritises academic excellence, financial need and the development impact plan. ## Application tips that move the needle Pick a university and programme that clearly maps to a measurable development outcome in your home country. AKF panels are very specific about 'how will this scholarship benefit your community' and weight the answer heavily. Get a guarantor in place early — the loan portion requires one. ## Deadlines and intake windows Country-specific deadlines fall between January and March each year. Confirm with your local AKF country office (e.g. AKDN Kenya, AKDN Tanzania). ## Useful internal reading - Browse open scholarships: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/scholarships - How to write a winning scholarship essay: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/how-to-write-winning-scholarship-essay - Scholarship interview questions for African students: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/scholarship-interview-questions-african-students Always confirm the live intake on the sponsor's official site before you build a timeline around it.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Partial Funding

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • 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; construct a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan; be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution; and have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://www.akdn.org/our-agencies/aga-khan-foundation/international-scholarship-programme to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed 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; construct a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan; be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution; and have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: Expected March 31, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: Expected March 31, 2027 (annual cycle). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      Expected March 31, 2027 (annual cycle)

      Provider deadline information: Expected March 31, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

    Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme?+

    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; construct a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan; be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution; and have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.

    What funding does the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme offer?+

    Listed funding: Partial Funding. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: Expected March 31, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://www.akdn.org/our-agencies/aga-khan-foundation/international-scholarship-programme to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed 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; construct a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan; be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution; and have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Expected March 31, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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