Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies 2026-2027

The AKF ISP 2026-2027 award cycle is now open. The Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme (AKF ISP) is an opportunity for outstanding scholars from selected countries*, who have no other means of financing their studies, to pursue postgraduate education.

• Table of Content
• About Aga Khan Foundation
• Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies
• Aim and Benefits of Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies
• Requirements for Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Aga Khan Foundation

The Aga Khan Foundation is a private, not-for-profit international development agency, which was founded in 1967 by Shah Karim Al Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies

Aim and Benefits of Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies

• The award covers tuition expenses and student living expenses. It does not cover, for example, the cost of international travel, clothing, furniture, or living expenses for family members.

AKF ISP awards are structured as half grant and half loan – where you need to repay 50 percent of the award amount. 

• Scholarships for Master’s studies are granted for the entire duration of the degree course.
• For PhD students, scholarships are awarded for the first two years, after which you are expected to find funding from alternative sources.

Requirements for Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies Qualification

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**;
• demonstrate a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan that covers all years of study**;
• be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution***;
• be starting the first year of the programme****; and
• have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.

Note: preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.

Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applications are handled by local units of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), or Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB). Liaise with the appropriate country-level entity (see contact details below) to request an application form. For example, if you reside in India you must apply via the local office in India, or if you reside in Kenya you must apply via the local office in Kenya. Please submit your completed application to the agency from which the ISP application form was obtained.

Please use contact details for the country where you currently live. If a country is not listed below, then the AKF ISP is not available there.

1. Afghanistan: [email protected]
2. Bangladesh: [email protected]
3. Canada: [email protected], [email protected]
4. Egypt: [email protected]
5. France: [email protected]
6. India: [email protected], [email protected]
7. Kenya: [email protected]
8. Kyrgyz Republic: [email protected] 
9. Madagascar: [email protected]
10. Mozambique: [email protected]
11. Pakistan: [email protected]
12. Portugal: [email protected]
13. Syria: [email protected]
14. Tajikistan: [email protected]
15. Tanzania: [email protected]
16. Uganda: [email protected]
17. USA: [email protected]

For more information, kindly visit Aga Khan Foundation schoalrship webpage.