Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship Programme 2026–2027 | Fully Funded
- Omran Aburayya
- 13 minutes ago
- 4 min read
If you are a talented but financially disadvantaged student from a Least Developed Member Country (LDMC) or a Muslim community in a non-member country, applications for the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship Programme 2026–2027 are expected to open soon. This fully funded scholarship supports undergraduate, master’s, PhD, post-doctoral, and technical diploma studies, with a strong focus on human capital development, social progress, and sustainable growth in IsDB member countries and Muslim communities worldwide.
The IsDB Scholarship Programme is one of the most prestigious development-oriented funding schemes globally, designed not only to finance education but also to create long-term impact through community service and knowledge transfer.
IsDB Scholarship Summary
Scholarship Name: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship Programme
Funding Type: Fully Funded (Interest-free loan with service component)
Host Institution: Recognized public universities and technical institutes
Study Location: Home country or selected IsDB member countries
Study Level:
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s)
Technical Diploma
Master’s (MSc)
PhD
Post-Doctoral Research
Target Group: Students from LDMCs and Muslim communities in non-member countries
Fields of Study: Priority development-related disciplines
Award Coverage: Tuition, stipend, medical care, travel (where applicable)
Award Duration: Full duration of the selected programme
Application Deadline: To be announced (typically between December and February)
Start Date: Academic Year 2026–2027
Eligible To Apply: Citizens of eligible IsDB countries and communities
🎓 Scholarship Overview
Since its establishment, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has placed human capital development at the core of its mission. The scholarship initiative began in 1983 with the Scholarship Programme for Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries (SPMC), followed by the Merit Scholarship Programme (MSP) for PhD and post-doctoral research in 1992, and the Master of Science Scholarship Programme in 1998.
Under IsDB’s Realigned Strategy 2023–2025, education and skills development are a dedicated pillar aimed at addressing poverty, inequality, and development gaps. The scholarship programme is therefore structured as a development intervention, not merely financial aid.
A distinctive feature of the IsDB Scholarship is its Education Trust (IET) model, ensuring sustainability through post-study community engagement and gradual loan repayment once beneficiaries are gainfully employed.
📘 Eligible Study Programmes
The IsDB Scholarship supports development-oriented academic and technical programmes, including:
Bachelor’s Degree Programmes
Primarily focused on:
Medicine
Engineering
Agriculture
Related disciplines also include:
Dentistry
Pharmacy
Veterinary Science
Nursing
Nutrition
Computer Science
Forestry
Fisheries
Technical Diploma Programmes
Applicants may apply for approved technical and vocational fields such as:
Mechanical Manufacturing Methods
Mechatronics
Automation and Industrial Instrumentation
Civil Engineering Technician
Biomedical Equipment Maintenance
Electricity and Electronics
Industrial Maintenance
Logistics Operations
Transport Operations
Automotive Maintenance
Food Industry Technologies
Quality Control (Food & Garments)
Business Management and IT
Tourism and Hospitality
Media and Communication
Textiles and Clothing
Plastic Industry
Infrastructure and Networks
Early Childhood Education
(Only disciplines officially approved by IsDB are eligible.)
Postgraduate Programmes
Master of Science (MSc)
PhD in applied sciences and high-technology fields
Post-doctoral research (through Merit Scholarship Programme)
🏛️ Place of Study
Primary option: Public universities or technical institutes in the applicant’s home country
Alternative placement (if local admission is unavailable):
Malaysia
Morocco
Türkiye
Other IsDB member-country institutions may be considered if they demonstrate strong academic credibility in the proposed field.
🌏Eligible Countries
Least Developed Member Countries (LDMCs)
Applicants from the following IsDB member countries are eligible:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Yemen.
Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries
(Examples from recent cycles include)
Australia, Cambodia, Croatia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, India, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Republic of Congo, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vietnam, Zambia.
(Official country lists are confirmed each application cycle.)
🎁 Scholarship Benefits and Financial Coverage
The IsDB Scholarship covers:
Full tuition fees (paid directly to institutions)
Monthly living stipend based on cost of living
Books and clothing allowance (equivalent to three months’ stipend annually)
Medical treatment costs
Return economy airfare (for students studying abroad)
Installation allowance for overseas study
❌ Not Covered
Visa and residence permit fees
Family support or dependents’ expenses
Computers and personal educational equipment
Language courses outside the main programme
Research expenses, conferences, internships, or workshops
Additional travel during studies
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be academically excellent but financially needy
Be under 24 years old (for undergraduate/technical programmes)
Hold a senior secondary certificate (or equivalent) with strong science grades
Choose a field listed among IsDB-approved disciplines
Provide proof of language proficiency (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
Submit certified English or French translations of documents
Be medically fit
Not be an IsDB staff member or close relative
Not be receiving another scholarship simultaneously
Be endorsed by a national Counterpart Organization (CPO)
Commit to returning home after graduation (if studying abroad)
👩🏻💻 Obligations of Scholarship Beneficiaries
Awardees are required to:
Sign a Surety Bond committing to study completion and national service
Study full-time and submit regular academic progress reports
Return to their home country after graduation
Repay the interest-free loan gradually after employment through the IsDB Education Trust
Maintain good conduct and comply with host-country laws
Avoid paid work or other scholarships unless officially approved
📝 Application Procedure
Monitor the official IsDB scholarship announcement
Apply through the designated national Counterpart Organization (CPO)
Undergo document verification and interviews
Final selection by IsDB
📁Required Documents
Completed application form
Academic certificates and transcripts
Proof of admission (if available)
Language proficiency certificate
Passport or national ID
Medical fitness documents
Recommendation and endorsement letters
🚀 Final Notes
Submitting an application or securing university admission does not guarantee scholarship award. Applicants should wait for official confirmation from IsDB before making academic or financial commitments.
