International Scholarship Programme 2027 | Study in United States — Aga Khan Foundation
The Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme has quietly funded postgraduate students from a defined set of countries for decades, structured as a loan-grant hybrid rather than a pure grant, which is worth understanding clearly before you apply.
About the Scholarship
The Aga Khan Foundation offers this scholarship to outstanding students from specific countries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa who are pursuing postgraduate study, including at institutions in the United States. Awards are typically structured as half grant and half interest-free loan, a model the Foundation uses to extend its limited funding to as many qualified students as possible over time.
Scholarship Benefits
- Funding structured as roughly half scholarship (grant) and half interest-free loan
- Supports postgraduate study at recognized universities, including in the United States
- Part of a long-running, well-established international funding programme
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a citizen of one of the Aga Khan Foundation’s eligible countries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa
- You must have an outstanding academic record
- You must be admitted to, or applying for, a postgraduate degree program
- You generally need to show that you’ve exhausted other sources of funding, since this programme is intended to supplement, not replace, other support
Fields of Study Covered
Open to postgraduate study broadly; check the Foundation’s current guidance for any field-specific priorities in a given cycle.
Required Documents
- A completed Aga Khan Foundation scholarship application
- Proof of citizenship in an eligible country
- Admission or application confirmation from your postgraduate program
- Evidence of financial need and other funding sources already explored
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Confirm your home country is on the Aga Khan Foundation’s current eligible country list
- Secure admission to, or apply to, your intended postgraduate program
- Gather evidence of your financial situation and other funding already sought
- Submit your complete application through the Foundation’s current application process before that cycle’s deadline
Selection Process
The Foundation’s selection committees assess academic merit, the quality of the proposed study plan, and genuine financial need, favoring applicants who have already sought other funding but still face a meaningful gap.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Document your attempts to secure other funding clearly, since this programme is explicitly meant to supplement rather than be a first-choice funding source
- Be realistic about the loan portion of the award when planning your finances, since roughly half is typically a repayable interest-free loan, not a grant
- Apply as early as your eligible country’s specific cycle allows, since country-level processes and timelines can differ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship a full grant?
No, awards are typically structured as roughly half grant and half interest-free loan.
Which countries are eligible?
Eligibility is limited to a specific list of countries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa; check the Aga Khan Foundation’s current list directly, since it can change.
Can I use this scholarship for study in the United States?
Yes, the programme supports postgraduate study at recognized universities, including those in the United States.
Do I need to have already tried other funding sources?
Generally yes, the programme is designed to supplement funding gaps after other sources have been explored.
What is the application deadline?
Deadlines vary by eligible country and cycle; check the Aga Khan Foundation’s current guidance for your specific country.