International PG Scholarships

The Aga Khan Foundation providesa limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies tooutstanding students from developing countries that have no other means offinancing their studies.

Scholarships are awarded on a 50%grant: 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year inJune or July.

The Foundation gives priority torequests for Master's level courses but is also willing to considerapplications for PhD programmes, when doctoral degrees are necessary for thecareer objectives of the student. Requests will also be considered for traveland study awards for PhD students doing their research in Third World countries on topics judged to be of interest to the Aga KhanDevelopment Network.

Applications for short-termcourses are not considered; neither are applications from students who havealready started their course of study.

Selection Criteria

The main criteria for selectingaward winners are:

• Excellent academic records
  
• Genuine financial need
  
• Admission to a reputable institution ofhigher learning and
  
• Well-planned and consistent career plans.

Candidates are also evaluated ontheir extra-curricular interests and achievements, potential to achieve theirgoals and likelihood to succeed in a foreign academic environment. Applicantsare 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.

Financial Assistance

The Foundation assists students with tuitionfees and living expenses only. The cost of travel is not included in AKFscholarships. Aga Khan Foundation gives preference to those who have been ableto secure some funding from alternative sources.

Loan Conditions

Half of the scholarship amount is considered as aloan, which must be reimbursed with an annual service charge of 5%. A guarantoris 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 ofAKF's International Scholarship Programme are decentralized. Students mayobtain application forms as of January 1st each year from AKF offices or AgaKhan Education Services / Boards in their countries of current residence.Completed applications should be returned to the agency from which the form wasobtained, or to the address indicated on the front of the form..

Generally, each year, the deadline for submission of applications isMarch 31, although in certain countries internal deadlines may be earlier.

Scholarship Dates

The annual Scholarship SelectionMeeting takes place in late June or early July and the Aga Khan Foundationnotifies all students of the outcome of their application shortly thereafter.

Contact

Aga Khan Foundation (India)
Sarojini House, 2nd floor
6, Bhagwan Dass Road
New Delhi 110001

Tel : (11) 23782173
Fax : (11) 23782174
Email: akfindia@akdn.org
Websites : www.akdn.org