Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Aga Khan Foundation
Half-grant, half-loan awards for master's (priority) and PhD study for financially needy students from 15 specified countries. Ghana is NOT among the eligible countries, so Ghanaians cannot apply; next cycle opens early 2027.
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Eligibility
- Who can apply
- Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya and 9 more
- Education required
- Bachelors completed
- Fields
- Any field of study
- Also required
- National of one of the 15 listed countries (Ghana is not eligible)
- Genuine financial need and a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan
- Entering the first year of a full-time programme; part-time and short courses not considered
- A guarantor must co-sign the award agreement; 50% of the award is repaid as a loan
About this opportunity
The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (AKF ISP) offers a limited number of awards each year for postgraduate study, prioritising master's programmes and considering PhDs (funded for the first two years only). Awards are 50% grant and 50% loan, covering tuition and living expenses but not international travel, clothing, furniture or family costs; a guarantor must co-sign.
It is available only to nationals of Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Uganda. Ghana is not eligible. Applicants need a bachelor's degree, genuine financial need and a multi-source funding plan, and must be entering the first year of a full-time programme; preference goes to those under 30. The 2026-2027 cycle is closed; the next opens in early 2027 via in-country AKF contacts.
- Level
- Master's, PhD
- Where
- Multiple countries
- Duration
- Master's: duration of programme; PhD: first two years only
- Number of awards
- A limited number of new awards each cycle (not stated)
- Difficulty
- High · about 8 weeks to prepare
Funding
Partially funded
- tuition
- stipend
Award covers tuition and student living expenses, structured as half grant and half loan (50% repayable). Does not cover international travel, clothing, furniture or living expenses for family members.
What you will need
Check the official page for the document list.
Application forms and requirements are issued by in-country AKF/AKES/AKDN contacts in eligible countries; not available for Ghana.
Track this application and eStudent360 turns the list into a checklist and, with Plus, a dated plan that works back from the deadline.