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.
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).
Applications for short-term courses are not
considered; neither are applications from students who have already started
their course of study.
ELIGIBILITY
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.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The main criteria for selecting award winners are:
l) consistently excellent academic records, 2) genuine financial need, 3)
admission to a highly reputable university or programme of study and 4)
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.
Financial Assistance
The Foundation assists students with tuition fees
and living expenses only. The cost of travel is not included in AKF
scholarships. Funding for PhD programmes is only provided for the first two
years of study, after which the students are expected to find alternative
sources of assistance. Financial assistance is provided according to the needs
of students, but the ISP must be considered a lender of last resort. Applicants
are requested to make every effort to obtain funding from other sources as
well, so that the amount requested from the Foundation can be reduced to a
minimum. Preference is given to those who have been able to secure some funding
from alternative sources.
Loan Conditions
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.
Application Procedures
The application procedures of AKF's International
Scholarship Programme are decentralised. 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. They should not be sent to Geneva.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submission of entire completed
applications is March 31, although in certain countries internal deadlines may
be earlier in order to process and review applications. Applicants are advised
to contact the local offices for internal deadline dates and requirements as
these may vary from country to country. Late or incomplete applications will
not be accepted.
Country Offices
|
Internal Deadlines
|
Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh)
|
Deadline for submitting pre-application forms:
8th March, 2018
Deadline for submitting completed applications:
31st March, 2018 |
Aga Khan Foundation (India)
|
Deadline for application distribution:
16th March, 2018 (5:00 pm IST)
Deadline for submitting completed applications:
20th March, 2018 (5:00 pm IST) |
Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan)
Aga Khan Education Services (Pakistan) |
Deadline for submitting pre-application forms:
15th March, 2018 (5.00 pm IST)
Deadline for submitting completed applications:
31st March, 2018 (5:00 pm IST) |
Aga Khan Foundation (Portugal)
|
Deadline for submitting completed applications:
30th March, 2018 |
INTERVIEW AND SELECTION NOTIFICATION
Applicants should be prepared to be interviewed by
local Scholarship Committees about their financial situation, their academic
performance, extra-curricular achievements and career plans.
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.
