Course(s) Offered: Any field of study
Course Level: Postgraduate (Masters, PhD)
Provider: Aga Khan Foundation
Country to Study in: Any Country
Scholarship Description
Every year, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) provides a limited number of scholarships for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies.
The Foundation gives priority to requests for Master's level courses but is also willing to consider applications for PhD programmes, when doctoral degrees are necessary for the career objectives of the student.
Applications for short-term courses are not considered; neither are applications from students who have already started their course of study.
Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year in June or July.
Eligibility
The main criteria for selecting award winners are:
- excellent academic records,
- genuine financial need,
- admission to a reputable institution of higher learning and
- thoughtful and coherent educational and career plans.
Applicants are expected to have some years of work experience in their field of interest.
Age Limit: Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.
Eligible groups
The Foundation accepts applications from countries where it has branches, affiliates or other AKDN agencies which can help with processing applications and interviewing applicants.
At present, these are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and Madagascar.
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.
Participating Institutions
The Aga Khan Development Network; AND
ANY recognized university/institution of higher education in ANY country.
Fields of study
Any masters or doctoral level course of study available at the participating institution(s)
Scholarship benefits
The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only. The cost of travel is not included in AKF scholarships.
Requests will be considered for travel and study awards for PhD students doing their research in Third World countries on topics judged to be of interest to the Aga Khan Development Network.
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.
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.
Method of Application
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, or to the address indicated on the front of the form. They should not be sent to Geneva.
It is important to visit the official authorised website (link to it is below) for detailed information and how to apply for this scholarship.
DEADLINES:
The deadline date for applications is the 31st March of every year; although in certain countries internal deadlines may be earlier.
PLEASE NOTE:
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.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies that seek to improve living conditions and opportunities, in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East.
Founded and guided by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the network focuses on health, education, culture, rural development, institution-building and the promotion of economic development. The AKDN aims to improve living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender. Its annual budget for not-for-profit endeavours exceeds US$500 million. The AKDN works in 30 countries around the world, mostly in developing countries.
Contact
For education and scholarship inquiries, see:
Contact Addresses for Aga Khan Education Services / Aga Khan Educational Boards.
Application Deadline: 31 March 2014
Open to International students: Yes
More Scholarship Information and Application
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