Aga khan Foundation Scholarships 2023

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Every year, the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships offer students from developing countries the opportunity to pursue higher education overseas. The scholarship program allows recipients to apply to universities in the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Portugal for any postgraduate level program.

Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant and 50% loan.
Students can opt to pursue any postgraduate level program in Canada, the US, and other eligible countries.
Preference is given to applications made for the master’s program.
Short-term programs like PG diplomas or certificates are not covered by the scholarship.
Applications for Aga Khan Foundation 2023 must be submitted before March 17.
Applicants must note that the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships are not applicable for the universities in Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Holland, Italy, Norway, and Ireland for the 2023-24 application cycles.

International Scholarship Programme:

The International Scholarship Programme (ISP) of the Aga Khan Foundation was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan to provide support for exceptional students from developing countries who lack the resources to finance their studies. The program aims to enable these students to pursue full-time postgraduate studies at prestigious higher education institutions of their choosing.

Selection Criteria:

To be eligible for the International Scholarship Programme, applicants must meet the following selection criteria:

Outstanding academic records.
Genuine financial need. While the ISP provides financial assistance based on the needs of students, it should be considered a last resort. Applicants must demonstrate that they have explored and secured multiple sources of funding. The award amount is determined by deducting the total of other grants, loans, parental contribution, and student employment income from the eligible student expenses. All students are encouraged to reduce the amount requested from the Foundation by applying for other sources of assistance as well.
Admission to a reputable postgraduate institution of higher learning. While the program gives priority to Master’s degree courses, applications for PhD studies are also considered. Local/regional universities and distance learning programs are acceptable for ISP funding if the quality of the courses is maintained.
Strong professional experience, extracurricular achievements, volunteer contributions, and leadership skills.

Application Process:

The Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme (ISP) was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan with the goal of providing financial support to exceptional students from developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies, allowing them to pursue full-time postgraduate studies at prestigious higher education institutions of their choosing. To apply for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Have an excellent academic record.
Have genuine financial need. While the ISP offers financial aid, it must be considered as a last resort, and applicants must demonstrate that they have sought and secured multiple sources of funding.
Be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution of higher learning. Master’s degree courses are given priority, but PhD applications are also considered. Local and regional universities and distance learning programs may also qualify for ISP funding if the course quality is maintained.
Possess a strong professional background, extracurricular accomplishments, volunteer contributions, and leadership skills.

Award recipients are chosen through a competitive application process, which occurs annually. Currently, the ISP is offered in several countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, France, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the USA. [Note: In Canada, France, Portugal, and the USA, applications are only accepted from individuals who are originally from one of the above developing countries, interested in development-related studies, and have no other means of financing their education.

Applicants must be a national of and residing in one of the aforementioned countries. As applications are processed by local entities, interested individuals must contact the appropriate country-based unit (contact details provided below). For example, individuals residing in India must apply through the local office in India, while those residing in Kenya must apply through the local office in Kenya. The Foundation only accepts applications from eligible nationals who reside 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 that process applications and interview candidates.

As the ISP is considered a lender of last resort, priority is given to those who have secured funding from alternative sources. Applicants are advised to seek funding from other sources to minimize the amount requested from the Foundation. While not comprehensive, applicants may be interested in other scholarships and financial assistance programs.

Preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.

Short-term courses are not considered, nor are applications from students who have already started their postgraduate studies or who are enrolled in part-time programs.

Application Timelines:

The Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme will begin accepting applications for the next cycle in January 2023, and the deadline for submitting completed applications is March 17, 2023. Interested students should contact their local office to obtain the necessary application forms and information on deadlines and requirements, as these may differ by country.

Applicants must ensure that their application is complete and submitted to the appropriate agency, as late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Local scholarship committees may conduct interviews with applicants to discuss their financial needs, academic performance, extracurricular activities, and career plans.

Since this is a highly competitive, global award, the final decision will be made by an international selection panel in July. Students who are shortlisted in the final global round will be notified of the outcome of their application shortly thereafter.

Award Conditions:

The Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme (ISP) offers an opportunity for exceptional postgraduate students from developing countries to pursue their studies with a half-grant and half-loan award. This scholarship is intended for Master’s degree courses that cover the entire duration of the degree. PhD students, on the other hand, receive funding for the first two years of their study and must find alternative sources of funding afterward.

It is essential to note that the ISP is considered a lender of last resort. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to seek funding from other sources, and preference is given to those who have already secured funding from alternative sources. This preference is given because the scholarship award is structured as a loan that must be repaid, with a cumulative service charge of 5% per annum levied on the loan amount.

The repayment period for the loan is five years, with a moratorium period of two years for graduates who return to work in a developing country. It is worth noting that the scholarship covers only tuition fees and living expenses for the student and not for family members or international travel costs.

Applicants are advised to start their application process early, as the application cycle for the ISP begins in January 2023 and ends on March 17, 2023. Final decisions are made by an international selection panel in July.

In conclusion, the Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme offers a valuable opportunity for postgraduate students from developing countries. However, it is essential to bear in mind that the scholarship award is structured as a loan that needs to be repaid with a cumulative service charge. Therefore, applicants should explore all funding options available to them and apply early to increase their chances of success.

Contacts by Country:

Please make sure to use the email or mailing address provided for the country you are currently residing in. If there is no email address available for your country, then unfortunately, the program is not available there.

Afghanistan: [email protected], tel: 0093-790-022-125

Bangladesh: [email protected], [email protected], tel: (+880) 9606111000

Canada: [email protected], [email protected], tel: (613) 2372532

Egypt: [email protected], tel: (2) 02 2506 1570

France: [email protected]

India: [email protected], [email protected], tel: (11) 47399700

Kenya: [email protected], tel: + 254 730 717 000

Kyrgyz Republic: [email protected], tel: +996 312 97 62 47

Madagascar: [email protected]

Mozambique: [email protected], tel: (21) 490 515/519

Pakistan: [email protected], tel: (51) 111-253-254

Portugal: [email protected], tel: (21) 3949110