A prestigious and fiercely competitive postgraduate fellowship, the Aga Khan Foundation International Fellowship Programme (AKF ISP) is intended to assist extraordinary students from underdeveloped nations who exhibit excellent academic achievement but struggle financially. His Late Highness Aga Khan IV founded the program in 1969 with the goal of developing future leaders who are dedicated to improving their home nations and promoting sustainable development.
A stringent selection procedure that takes into account both merit and financial need is used to offer the scholarship. Although there are certain limitations depending on the applicant’s region of residence, it offers full or partial assistance for students pursuing higher education at respectable colleges worldwide. Candidates seeking master’s degrees are given preference, but funding for PhD studies may occasionally be available as well; this funding typically covers the first two years of the program.
The financing allows students to concentrate entirely on their academic work by paying for living expenses, tuition, and occasionally other study and research-related expenses. Candidates with a solid academic record, the capacity for leadership, and a definite desire to make a positive impact on their communities and society are encouraged by the program. Candidates who are enrolled in short-term courses or part-time programs or who have already started postgraduate studies are not eligible.
The AKF ISP has a long history of enabling gifted students from a variety of backgrounds and giving them the networks, information, and abilities they need to lead their industries and promote social change back home.
Host Country: Selected Countries
Hosted By: The Aga Khan Foundation International Fellowship Programme (AKF ISP)
Opportunity Type: Masters, PhD
Eligibility Country: International Students
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded,
Eligibility Criteria:
- Keep your academic record exceptional.
- Have a bachelor’s degree or work experience that is comparable.
- Show a definite need for money.
- Provide a comprehensive funding strategy from several sources.
- Get accepted into a reputable postgraduate school.
- be beginning a postgraduate program’s first year.
- Demonstrate leadership abilities, pertinent work experience, and active participation in volunteer or community service.
Benefits:
- Complete payment of the Master’s program’s tuition
- Financial assistance for living costs during the course of the studies
- Long-term financial support given during the duration of the Master’s program
- 50% of the funding comes from grants, while the remaining 50% comes from loans that must be paid back with a service charge.
Important Notes:
- Costs like family costs, apparel, furniture, and overseas travel are not covered.
- The loan agreement must be co-signed by a guarantor.
- Six months following graduation or program completion, loan repayment begins.
Deadline: March 31, 2026.
