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Welcome to Islamic Development Bank Scholarship Programme for The Academic Year 2021-2022

1- Undergraduate Programme
2- Master’s Programme
3- PhD Programme and Post-doctoral Research Programme
4- IsDB-ISFD for Vocational Education & Training (VET)
5- Bachelor studies for 21 Least Developed Member Countries

Please note that the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) does not charge any fees at any stage of the scholarship process. Never disclose or send money to any entity or person in relation to your application.

For any inquiries and /or assistance , please correspond with only :
Scholarship Division
E-mail: scholar@isdb.org

Undergraduate Scholarship Programme

Introduction

The Programme was launched in 1983 with the objective to provide educational opportunities to the academically meritorious young students from IsDB Member Countries (MCs) and Muslim communities in non-member countries to pursue undergraduate or first-degree study and to train them in specific fields in order to improve their socio-economic conditions and make a meaningful contribution to the development of their communities and countries.

The objective of this Programme is to assist the MCs and Muslim Communities in non-member countries in the development of their human capitals specially in fields that are both relevant and important for their development. 

Eligibility Criteria

The Programme is open for academically meritorious students with strong desire to engage in social services and community development after graduation. Candidates MUST ensure that they meet all the criteria of the programme listed hereunder, failing which the Application will not be considered:

• Must be a citizen of any of the IsDB member countries or Muslim communities in non-member countries. 
• Candidate from non-member countries must be a Muslim.
• Must have obtained a high school diploma or registered in one of the top 10 public/government universities in his/her own country.
• Must have minimum of 70% in his/her high school final GPA.
• Must choose a field of study listed among the approved disciplines of the programme.
• Must provide evidence of language proficiency in university medium of instruction as relevant. The language proficiency must be supported by a document or certificate, e.g., for English, by a recognized language certificate such as TOEFL, IELTS or passed required level test conducted such as by British Council or equivalent system in French or other language).
• Must provide certified English or French translation of all documents in case if they are initially in other languages.
• Must not be in receipt of any other scholarship at the time of application and during study.
• Must be medically fit and willing to undergo medical tests after selection.

Fields of Study

Eligible candidate must apply to pursue Undergraduate Studies in one of the fields of study as shown in the left column as below:

Benefits and Facilities

The programme covers the following items: 

• Monthly stipend commensurate with the cost of living of the country of study.  
• Tuition fees, if any, subject to IsDB’s approval.
• Cost of medical treatment at university/government hospital.
• Economy class return air tickets (once at the time of joining and on completion of study) and installation and equipment allowance for the students selected to study abroad at partnered universities/countries.

Obligations

Candidates granted the scholarship are expected to: 

• Sign the IsDB’s prescribed Scholarship Agreement stating their commitment to their studies and serve their communities and countries upon graduation. 
• Commit to cover, after the completion of their undergraduate study, either tuition fees of the first year of their Master’s degree.  In this case, the IsDB will support them by covering the fees of their second year of study. Otherwise, they shall cover cost of first year of study for a new undergraduate student from same community/country nominated by the IsDB.
• Devote themselves to their studies on a full-time basis and without interruption and provide the IsDB with progress reports on their studies on a regular basis;
• Not to seek or accept other scholarship or remunerated work during their study under the Programme;
• Respect the laws of the country of study and maintain good personal and professional conduct consistent with the rules, regulations and objectives of the Programme and the overall mission of the IsDB; and
• Register to the IsDB Alumni after graduation to network with other alumnus and keep updating the IsDB about their professional progress and achievements in their communities/countries.

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Master Scholarship

Introduction

The Programme was launched in 1998 with an objective to assist IsDB member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries in the development of their human capitals specially in development related areas relevant to Sustainability Sciences that are both relevant and important for their development and specifically:

• To increase the number of intermediate level manpower, which is necessary for an effective technology development, transfer and maintenance.
• To increase access to the educational opportunities available under the IsDB initiatives in human capitals development by creating a special programme suited to their circumstances and needs.
• To enhance the ability of students to participate in the IsDB PhD Programme.

Eligibility Criteria

The Programme is open for academically meritorious students and mid-career professionals from member countries and Muslim Communities in non-member countries. Candidates MUST ensure that they meet all the criteria of the programme listed hereunder, failing which the Application will not be considered:

• Must be a citizen of any of the IsDB member countries or Muslim communities in non-member countries.
• Candidate from non-member countries must be a Muslim.
• Must have minimum of 70% in his/her Bachelor studies’ GPA.
• Must choose a field of study listed among the approved disciplines of the programme.
• Must provide certified English or French translation of all documents in case if they are initially in other languages.
• Must provide evidence of language proficiency in university medium of instruction as relevant. The language proficiency must be supported by a document or certificate, e.g., for English, by a recognized language certificate such as TOEFL, IELTS or passed required level test conducted such as by British Council or equivalent system in French or other languages).
• Must not be in receipt of any other scholarship at the time of application and during study.
• Must be medically fit and willing to undergo medical tests after selection.

Fields of study 

The eligible candidates may apply to study in one of the following fields of study only:

Benefits and Facilities

The programme covers the following items:

• Monthly stipend commensurate with the cost of living of the country of study.
• Tuition fees as charged by the university and approved by the IsDB.
• Cost of medical treatment at university/government/public hospitals.
• Economy class return air tickets (once at the time of joining and on completion of study) and installation allowance for the students selected to study abroad at partnered universities/countries.
• Thesis preparation Allowance.

Obligations

Candidates granted the Scholarship are expected to:

• Sign the IsDB’s prescribed Scholarship Agreement stating their commitment to their studies and to serve his/her communities and countries upon graduation. 
• Devote themselves to their studies on a full-time basis without interruption and provide the IsDB with progress reports on their studies on a regular basis.
• Not to seek or accept other scholarship or remunerated work during their study under the Programme.
• Respect the laws of the country of study and maintain good personal and professional conduct consistent with the rules, regulations and objectives of the Programme and the overall mission of the IsDB.
• Register and join the IsDB Alumni after graduation to network with other alumnus and keep updating the IsDB about their progress and achievements in their communities/countries.
• Refund 50% of the total amount spent on their study after graduation and securing gainful employment, in easy installments, to Local Education Trust Fund (LETF) established by the IsDB in their countries. 

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PhD and Post-Doctoral Research Programme

Introduction

The Programme was launched with the objective to produce technically qualified human resources in the IsDB member countries and Muslim Communities in non-member countries by providing scholarships to promising and outstanding scholars and researchers to undertake PhD studies and Post-Doctoral research in development related fields with a special focus on “Sustainability Science” and to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Presidency 5-Year Plan (P5P).

Concept

The concept of the Programme is based on the following:

• The Programme is designed to strengthen and enhance the scientific, technological and research capability and the potential of scholars, researchers, institutions and countries in order to meet the national needs in the area of science and technology to improve their socio-economic conditions. 
• It is a scholarship programme and a development programme at the same time, since the scholars are required to play a leading role in assisting the development of their communities and countries after completion of their studies. 
• The Programme offers scholarships leading to a full-time Ph.D. degree (three years maximum) and Post-doctoral research (one year maximum).
• The scholarship is awarded as an interest-free loan (Qard Hasan) to the scholars but grant to their communities/countries.The beneficiaries are required to refund 50% of the loan after graduation and securing gainful employment, to a Local Education Trust Fund (LETF) established in each member country benefiting from the Programme. The collected amounts are to be recycled in new scholarships offered to students from the same country.
• After completion of research, the scholars are required to take part in the development of their communities/countries, through their respective professions, while the community development services rendered by the graduates will contribute to the overall development of their communities/countries.

Eligibility Criteria

The Programme is designed to help promising and outstanding scholars from member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries who meet the following criteria:

1. PhD study

• Have Master’s degree in one of the fields of study of the programme.
• Have minimum (“Very Good”) academic standing;
• Preferably have work and/or research experience.
• Have a research proposal in one of the fields of study of the programme stating its scientific and development relevance to the community / country.
• Be medically fit and be willing to undergo medical tests after selection.

2. Post-doctoral research

• Have PhD degree in one of approved fields of the programme.
• Have minimum (“Very Good”) academic standing.
• Have not less than two (2) years of experience in the field of research. 
• Must have a record of publications/research in the same field.
• Have a research proposal in one of the fields of study of the programme stating its scientific and development relevance to the community / country.
• Be medically fit and be willing to undergo medical tests after selection

Fields of study

The eligible candidates may apply to study one of the following fields of study only:

Benefits and Facilities

PhD study

The programme covers the following items:

• Monthly stipend commensurate with the cost of living of the country of study;
• Tuition fees, if any, subject to IsDB’s approval;
• Cost of medical treatment at university/government hospital.
• Economy class return air tickets (once at the time of joining and on completion of study) and installation and equipment allowance for the students selected to study abroad at partnered universities/countries.
• Thesis preparation allowance 
• Scientific papers’ preparation allowance 

Post-doctoral research

The programme covers the following items:

• Monthly stipend commensurate with the cost of living of the country of study;
• Cost of medical treatment at university/government hospital.
• Economy class return air tickets (once at the time of joining and on completion of study) and installation and equipment allowance for the students selected to study abroad at partnered universities/countries.
• Scientific papers’ preparation allowance 

Place of Study 

Consistent with the concept of the Programme, selected scholars must obtain admission/invitation from one of the reputable public universities in their own countries listed among the top (10) universities as per the Shanghai and Times Higher Education University ranking. 

Admission may also be sought at one of the universities having agreement with the IsDB, i.e. Cambridge University, Queen Mary University of London and Oxford in UK, McGill University in Canada, Copenhagen University in Denmark, National University of Uzbekistan and Tashkent University of Information Technology in Uzbekistan and Top universities in Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, National University of Uzbekistan and Tashkent University of Information Technologies

Note: Getting admission does not mean automatic selection and is not a requirement for application. The final decision on place of study is made by the selection committee. 

Obligations 

Candidates granted the Scholarship are expected to:

1. Sign the IsDB’s prescribed Scholarship Agreement stating their commitment to their studies and serve their communities and countries upon graduation;  
2. Devote themselves to their studies on a full-time basis and without interruption and provide the IsDB with progress reports on their studies on a regular basis;
3. Not to seek or accept other scholarship or remunerated work during their study under the Programme; 
4. Respect the laws of the country of study and maintain good personal and professional conduct consistent with the rules, regulations and objectives of the Programme and the overall mission of the IsDB;
5. Register and join the IsDB Alumni after graduation to network with other alumnus and keep updating the IsDB about their progress and achievements in their communities/countries.
6. Refund 50% of the loan after graduation and securing gainful employment, in easy installments, to Local Education Trust Fund (LETF) established by the IsDB in their countries.    

Selection Process

The review and selection process are undertaken by an independent International Selection Committee, composed of academicians and chaired by the Senior Advisor to the IsDB President for Science, Technology and Innovation. 

The Selection Committee assesses the applicants’ qualifications and eligibility requirements and ascertains the scientific and development relevance of the proposed fields of study. Recommendation for final selection is made by the committee and final selection is approved by the IsDB management whose decision is final. 

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IsDB-ISFD Bachelor Degree Programme

Introduction

The Programme was launched in 2019 by the IsDB and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), with the specific aim of reducing poverty in the following 21 Least Developed IsDB Member Countries (LDMCs):

1. Afghanistan
2. Bangladesh
3. Benin
4. Burkina Faso
5. Chad
6. Comoros
7. Djibouti
8. The Gambia
9. Guinea
10. Guinea-Bissau
11. Mali
12. Mauritania
13. Mozambique
14. Niger
15. Senegal
16. Sierra Leone
17. Somali
18. Sudan
19. Togo
20. Uganda
21. Yemen

Scope

The Programme provides educational opportunities to academically meritorious and financially impoverished young men and women from the above 21 LDMCs to pursue bachelor’s degree at a public university in their countries or in IsDB member countries and to train them in specific fields and enable them to make a meaningful contribution to the development of their countries.

Eligibility Criteria

The prospective candidate must meet the following eligibility criteria. Candidates MUST ensure that they meet all the criteria of the programme listed hereunder, failing which the Application will not be considered:

• Must be a citizen of any of the 21 IsDB LDMCs listed above.
• Must have obtained a high school diploma or registered in one of the top 10 reputable universities in his/her own country.
• Must have minimum of 70% in his/her high school final GPA.
• Must choose a field of study listed among the approved disciplines of the programme.
• Must provide evidence of language proficiency in university medium of instruction as relevant. The language proficiency must be supported by a document or certificate, e.g., for English, by a recognized language certificate such as TOEFL, IELTS or passed required level test conducted such as by British Council or equivalent system in French or other languages).
• Must provide certified English or French translation of all documents in case if they are initially in other languages.
• Must not be in receipt of any other scholarship at the time of application and during study.
• Must be medically fit and willing to undergo medical tests after selection.

Fields of Study

The eligible candidates may apply to study only in the following fields of study:

Benefits and Facilities

The programme covers the following items:

• Monthly stipends commensurate with the cost of living of the country of study.
• Tuition fees as charged by the university and approved by the IsDB.
• Cost of medical treatment at university/public hospital.
• Economy class return air tickets (once at the time of joining and on completion of study) and installation and equipment allowance for the students selected to study abroad at partnered universities/countries.

Obligations

Candidates granted the scholarships are expected to:

• Sign the IsDB’s prescribed Scholarship Agreement stating their commitment to their studies and serve their communities and countries upon graduation.
• Commit to refund the loan after graduation and securing gainful employment, in easy installments, to Local Education Trust Fund (LETF) established by the IsDB in their countries. 
• Devote themselves to their studies on a full-time basis and without interruption and provide the IsDB with progress reports on their studies on a regular basis.
• Not to seek or accept other scholarship or remunerated work during their study under the Programme.
• Respect the laws of the country of study and maintain good personal and professional conduct consistent with the rules, regulations and objectives of the Programme and the overall mission of the IsDB.
• Register to the IsDB Alumni after graduation to network with other alumnus and keep updating the IsDB about their progress and achievements in their communities/countries.

APPLY NOW