Aga Khan Foundation
Masters/PhD Degree
Deadline: 31 March (annual)
Study in: any Country
Course starts 2022
Brief description:
The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships annually for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies, in order to develop effective scholars and leaders and to prepare them for employment, primarily within the AKDN. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year in June or July. The Foundation gives priority to requests for Master’s level courses but is willing to consider applications for PhD programmes, only in the case of outstanding students who are highly recommended for doctoral studies by their professors and who need a PhD for the fulfilment of their career objectives (academic or research oriented).
Applications for short-term courses are not considered; neither are applications from students who have already started their course of study.
Host Institution(s):
Any university except universities in UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway and Ireland.
Field of study:
The Foundation gives priority to requests for Master’s level courses but is willing to consider applications for PhD programmes. Applications for short-term courses are not considered.
Target group:
Nationals of the following countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar and Mozambique. In France, Portugal, UK, USA and Canada, applications are accepted from those who are originally from one of the above developing countries, are interested in development-related studies and who have no other means of financing their education.
Scholarship value/inclusions/duration:
The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only. The cost of travel is not included in AKF scholarships. Funding for PhD programmes is only provided for the first two years of study, after which the students are expected to find alternative sources of assistance.
Half of the scholarship amount is considered as a loan, which must be reimbursed with an annual service charge of 5%. A guarantor is required to co-sign the loan agreement. The payback period is five years, starting six months after the study period funded by the Aga Khan Foundation.
Geographic Scope
The Foundation accepts applications from nationals of the following countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar and Mozambique. In France, Portugal, UK, USA and Canada, applications are accepted from those who are originally from one of the above developing countries, are interested in development-related studies and who have no other means of financing their education.
Residency Requirement
The Foundation only accepts applications of eligible nationals listed above who are residing in one of the countries where there are local Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), or Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB) offices which process applications and interview candidates.
Age Limit
Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.
Application instructions:
Students may obtain application forms as of January 1st each year from AKF offices or Aga Khan Education Services / Boards in their countries of current residence
Completed applications should be returned to the agency from which the form was obtained. They should not be sent to Geneva. The deadline for submission of applications is 31 March, although in certain countries internal deadlines may be earlier. Applicants are advised to contact the local offices for internal deadline dates and requirements as these may vary from country to country.
It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
Website:
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.akdn.org/our-agencies/aga-khan-foundation/international-scholarship-programme
Aga Khan Development Network
AKDN employs 96,000 people in over 30 countries around the world, it relies on thousands of volunteers to help implement and maintain its projects, notably at health and education facilities. A significant portion of the funding for development activities comes from partnerships with national governments, multilateral institutions and private sector partners (see list of partners). His Highness the Aga Khan provides regular funding for administration, new programme and country initiatives, and for some core activities. The Ismaili community contributes invaluable volunteer time, professional services and substantial financial resources. Other funding sources include income from user fees and endowment funds. Another significant source of funding is in the form of donations from corporations and individuals around the world, notably through the fundraising activities of the Partnership Walks and Partnership Golf tournaments, which are held annually in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.