The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027 (formally the International Scholarship Programme, or ISP) is one of the most underused funding streams for African Master’s and PhD students. Run by the Aga Khan Foundation across 16 countries — including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mali and Egypt — the ISP combines a 50% grant and a 50% interest-free loan to fund graduate study at top universities anywhere in the world.
What is the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027?
The Aga Khan Foundation has run the International Scholarship Programme since 1969. The award is structured as a hybrid loan-grant: 50% of the value is a grant the student does not repay, and 50% is an interest-free loan repayable over 5 to 10 years after graduation. The 2027 cycle keeps that structure and emphasises support for development-relevant graduate study — education, health sciences, public policy, environment, agriculture, hospitality, journalism and media. Per the Aga Khan Development Network ISP page, applications open in early January each year and close on March 31.
Application is country-specific: applicants apply through the Aga Khan Foundation office in their country of origin or residence. Eligible African countries include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mali and Egypt, with applicants from other countries considered case-by-case via global offices.
Who is affected?
The ISP fits African graduates planning to pursue a Master’s or PhD at a top university and who can demonstrate a commitment to returning to their country to apply their training. The programme is well suited for a Kenyan public health graduate aiming for an MPH at Johns Hopkins, a Tanzanian education researcher targeting an EdD at Oxford, a Ugandan environment specialist heading to a Master’s in environmental policy at Cambridge, a Malagasy hospitality manager pursuing an MBA at INSEAD, a Mozambican agriculture researcher heading to a PhD at Wageningen, an Egyptian public policy graduate targeting an MPA at Harvard Kennedy, and a Malian media professional pursuing journalism at Columbia.
The unifying thread is graduate-level (not undergraduate) study, demonstrated financial need, and a clear plan to return and apply learning in the home country.
Key requirements & deadline
To qualify for the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027, African applicants need: a confirmed admission letter (or strong application in progress) for a Master’s or PhD at a recognised university, a strong undergraduate record (typically First Class or Upper Second), demonstrated financial need (the ISP does not fund applicants who can fully self-finance), evidence of leadership or community engagement, and a guarantor or co-signer for the loan portion. See our Commonwealth Scholarships 2026/2027 guide for parallel African scholarship pathways.
- Award structure — 50% grant + 50% interest-free loan covering tuition, fees and basic living costs.
- Deadline — March 31 each year for the following academic year.
- Levels — Master’s and PhD only; undergraduate study is not funded.
- Repayment — Loan portion repayable over 5 to 10 years after graduation, interest-free.
Need help with your Aga Khan Scholarship application?
Travel Expore helps African Master’s and PhD candidates navigate the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027 end-to-end — from country office liaison to recommendation letters — with consultants serving applicants from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam to Cairo. Start your free eligibility check at https://linktr.ee/travelexpore.
Why it matters for African students
The ISP matters because it fills a gap that fully funded scholarships often miss. Chevening, DAAD and Erasmus Mundus award fully funded packages but cap at one or two specific countries. The ISP funds graduate study at any recognised university, including US Ivy League, UK Russell Group, Canadian U15, top European business schools, and South Asian institutions. The hybrid structure means more applicants can access it than fully grant-based programmes — the loan portion is interest-free and repayable over a decade.
Per the Aga Khan Development Network, ISP alumni now number over 7,000 across the 16 eligible countries, with strong representation in education, health and public policy roles in their home countries.
Frequently asked questions about Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027
What does the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027 cover?
Tuition, fees and basic living costs for Master’s and PhD study. The award is 50% grant and 50% interest-free loan. Travel costs may be included case-by-case.
What is the deadline for the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027?
March 31, 2027 (for the 2027/2028 academic year). Applications open in January at the Aga Khan Foundation country offices. Late applications are not accepted.
Which African countries are eligible for the ISP?
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mali and Egypt are the African countries with dedicated AKF country offices. Applicants from other African nations are considered case-by-case at the global level.
Does the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027 fund undergraduates?
No. The ISP funds Master’s and PhD study only. Undergraduate study is not eligible.
Do I need a guarantor for the Aga Khan Scholarship?
Yes. The 50% loan portion requires a guarantor or co-signer who is a credit-eligible adult in your home country.
Can I use the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027 at any university?
Yes. The award can be used at any recognised university worldwide. Strong applications typically include admission to a top-50 ranked institution in the field of study.
Key takeaways
- The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027 is a 50% grant + 50% interest-free loan for African graduate students.
- The application deadline is March 31, 2027 for the 2027/2028 academic year.
- Eligible African countries include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mali and Egypt.
- The ISP funds Master’s and PhD only — undergraduate study is not eligible.
- The loan portion is interest-free and repayable over 5 to 10 years after graduation.
Get expert help with your Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2027 application
Travel Explore helps African applicants — from Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Antananarivo, Maputo, Bamako and Cairo — navigate this process end-to-end. Talk to a consultant at https://linktr.ee/travelexpore.
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