When Amina Juma from Nairobi received her acceptance letter to study public health at a top European university, her joy was tempered by a single question: how would she afford it? For students like Amina from low-income backgrounds in developing countries, postgraduate dreams often end at the financial hurdle. But since 1969, the Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme (AKF ISP) has been quietly changing that equation, offering a lifeline to over 1,500 scholars who’ve gone on to lead in fields from health to education, governance to climate resilience.
Education is one of the most powerful levers for lifting communities out of poverty, yet access to postgraduate training remains a distant dream for many talented minds in the Global South. The AKF ISP steps in where other funding falls short—supporting exceptional candidates with no other means to finance their studies. The programme targets young professionals, especially those under 30, who combine academic excellence with leadership potential and a commitment to service. Countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan, and Uganda have consistently benefited, with applicants also accepted from diaspora communities in Canada, Portugal, and the USA if originally from eligible nations.
What sets the AKF ISP apart is not just its longevity but its thoughtful structure. Each award is a 50-50 blend of grant and loan, instilling a sense of responsibility while ensuring accessibility. The 2026–2027 cycle is now closed, but the next round will open in early 2027, offering full tuition and living expenses for the duration of a Master’s degree—or up to two years for PhD candidates. Crucially, applicants must be entering their first year of study and must already have secured admission to a reputable institution. They’re also required to present a multi-source funding plan, treating the AKF ISP as a last resort and reducing dependency on any single provider.
Recipients aren’t just students—they’re future changemakers. Past awardees have gone on to lead national health initiatives, launch social enterprises, and shape education policy in their home countries. The programme’s emphasis on repayment—beginning six months after graduation or withdrawal—creates a revolving fund, allowing each generation of scholars to support the next. A guarantor must co-sign the agreement, reinforcing community accountability.
With more than five decades of impact and a growing alumni network spanning continents, the AKF ISP is more than a scholarship—it’s an investment in global equity. As the 2027 application window approaches, a new cohort of leaders stands ready to step forward, powered by a belief that talent should never be limited by circumstance.