Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship 2020-2021 for Developing Countries (Masters & PhD)

The Aga Khan Foundation is glad to announce it’s annual Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship 2020-2021 for Developing Countries (Masters & PhD).

The Aga Khan Foundation provides scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from select developing countries.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AGA KHAN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP 2020-2021

The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from developing countries. The Aga Khan scholarships are awarded to those who have no other means of financing their studies. Additionally, the scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant: 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year.

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.

WHAT IS THE AGA KHAN FOUNDATION?

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), a member of the Aga Khan Development Network, is an international development organization that operates in some of the most remote and hard-to-reach regions of Africa and Asia.

For more than 50 years, the Foundation has worked with communities, governments, businesses and local organizations to build a better future together.

As a member of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the world’s leading networks of poverty alleviation solutions, we break the cycle of poverty by making long-term investments, establishing permanent institutions and developing active civil society.

We create change through partnerships with individuals, businesses, local organizations and governments. Our economic, cultural and social investments guarantee this commitment for future generations.

THE AIM AND GOAL OF AGA KHAN FOUNDATION

The network focuses on health, education, culture, rural development, institutional development and the promotion of economic development. The AKDN aims to improve the living conditions and opportunities of the poor, regardless of their religion, origin and gender.

LEVEL/FIELDS OF STUDY

The Aga Khan Foundation scholarship program is available for Masters and PhD studies. The focused fields of study are listed below;

• Architecture
• Health
• Civil Society
• Planning & Building
• Culture
• Rural Development
• Economic Development
• Humanitarian Assistance
• Education
• Music.

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

The Aga Khan Scholarship is open to the following developing countries;

• Bangladesh,
• India
• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Tajikistan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Syria
• Egypt
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Madagascar
• Mozambique.

Nevertheless, if your country is not among the eligible countries listed, don’t panic there are numerous international scholarships for international students to study in any country of choice.

HOST COUNTRIES

The Aga Khan scholarship is being hosted in any of the participant countries. However, for the 2020-2021 application cycle, the Foundation is not able to accept applications from students planning to attend universities in UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, and Ireland.

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS

The Foundation only helps students with tuition and living expenses. The cost of the trip is not included in Aga Khan scholarships. Applicants are encouraged to do everything in their power to secure funding from other sources to minimize the amount requested from the Foundation.

Preference is given to those who have been able to obtain funds from alternative sources. The sponsorship will last for the duration of the study program.

LOAN CONDITION

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.

AGA KHAN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

The question of Who is Eligible for the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship for Developing Countries? is answered in this section.

The main criteria for selecting award winners are:

1. excellent academic records,
2. genuine financial need,
3. admission to a reputable institution of higher learning and
4. thoughtful and coherent educational and career plans.

Candidates are also evaluated on 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.

Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AGA KHAN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP 2020

The application procedures of Aga Khan Scholarships are decentralized. 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, or to the address indicated on the front of the form. They should not be sent to Geneva.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The Aga Khan Scholarships usually opens on January 1, every year and the annual deadline for submission of applications is usually around March 31st. In certain countries, internal deadlines maybe earlier.

Important Notes:

Applicants should be prepared to be interviewed by local Scholarship Committees about their financial situation, their academic performance, extra-curricular achievements, and career plans. Interview reports are sent with the applications to Geneva for the final selection.

The annual Scholarship Selection Meeting takes place in late June or early July and the Aga Khan Foundation notifies all students of the outcome of their application shortly thereafter.Application Portal