The Aga Khan Foundation 2021-22 International Scholarship Programme application cycle is open from 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) works in over 30 countries around the world. It currently operates over 1,000 programmes and institutions − many of which date back over 60 years and some over 100. It employs approximately 96,000 people, the majority of whom are based in developing countries. The AKDN’s annual budget for non-profit development activities is approximately US$ 1,000 million. Its economic development arm, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), generates annual revenues of US$ 4.5 billion, but all surpluses generated by its project companies are reinvested in further development activities, usually in fragile, remote or post-conflict regions.
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The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from select 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.
Benefits
- 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).
Eligibilities
- 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.
- The main criteria for selecting award winners are:
- Consistently excellent academic records.
- Genuine financial need.
- Admission to a highly reputable university or programme of study.
- The relevance of the field of study to AKDN’s focus areas. Candidates are also evaluated on demonstrating thoughtful and coherent educational and career plans, their extra-curricular interests and achievements, potential to achieve their goals and likelihood to succeed in a foreign academic environment. Applicants are expected to have some years of work experience in their field of interest.
Application Process
- The application procedures of AKF’s International Scholarship Programme are decentralized.
- Students may obtain application forms as of 1st January 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.
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Application Deadline: March 31, 2021
Application ClosedOfficial link
