35 AKF Scholarship Questions — Answered

AKF does not publish an annual figure. Based on the total of 1,500+ scholars since the programme began in 1969, the average works out to roughly 26 per year. The actual number varies by year and is not disclosed publicly.

Less than 5%, based on consistently reported figures from scholarship tracking sources. It is one of the most selective postgraduate scholarship programmes for developing-country students.

The application window opens January 1 each year and the global deadline is March 31. However, country-specific internal deadlines set by local AKF offices are typically earlier — often in February or early March. Contact your local office in January to get the real deadline for your country. The official deadline and your actual deadline are not the same thing.

The international selection panel meets in late June or early July. Results are communicated to all applicants — selected and not selected — shortly after the panel concludes, typically by late July or early August.

You must be entering your first year of a postgraduate programme. Students who have already commenced study are not eligible. You need an admission offer but must not yet have started the programme.

The 13 eligible home countries are:

Nationals of these countries living in Canada, USA, or Portugal may also apply with additional requirements.

No. None of these countries are on the eligible list. AKDN has a presence in some of them, but the ISP scholarship does not cover them. If your home country is not in the list of 13, you are not eligible regardless of your current country of residence.

If you are a national of one of the 13 eligible countries but living elsewhere (not Canada, USA, or Portugal), you typically apply through the local office in your home country — India in your case — not from your country of residence. Contact AKF India directly to confirm the process. The UK has no AKF office handling ISP applications.

The scholarship preference is for applicants under 30. This is not a hard cutoff, but applicants between 30 and 35 need to be genuinely exceptional to be competitive. Applicants over 35 face very significant disadvantage. If you're 31 with an outstanding profile, apply — don't self-eliminate. But go in with clear eyes about the added difficulty.

No specific GPA threshold is published. "Consistently excellent academic record throughout prior studies" is the stated standard. In practice, very strong academic performance is the norm among selected candidates — this is not a scholarship designed for average performers.

Yes, but with important caveats. AKF funds PhDs only for "outstanding students" who specifically need a doctorate for an academic or research career. AKF only covers the first two years of a PhD — you must secure independent funding for remaining years. The repayment obligation on the loan portion still applies for those two funded years.

No. Only full-time programmes are eligible.

Distance learning is permitted only if "the quality of the course is maintained." This is a vague standard. If you are considering a distance programme, confirm with your local office whether it would be considered eligible before building your application around it.

No published threshold. Financial need is assessed holistically based on documented income, assets, family situation, and evidence that other funding sources have been explored. There is no number you can check yourself against.

No central portal exists. Applications go through local AKF, AKES, or AKEB offices in each country. The process varies by country — some offices accept digital submissions, others use physical forms. India, notably, uses a physical paper form. Contact your local office directly for the process in your country.

Yes. You must already have an official admission offer from a postgraduate institution before submitting your AKF application. The admission letter is a required document.

No. You need an admission letter as part of your application documents. The AKF process starts after you have secured admission, not before or during.

The full list varies by country office, but the standard baseline includes:

• ◆ Completed application form
• ◆ Academic transcripts and degree certificate
• ◆ Official admission letter from your postgraduate institution
• ◆ CV
• ◆ Two recommendation letters
• ◆ Personal statement
• ◆ Two years of tax returns and bank statements
• ◆ Proof of financial need
• ◆ Passport copy
• ◆ Evidence of other funding explored or secured

No. You apply through the office in the country where you are a national or (for diaspora applicants) currently residing in the qualifying countries. Submitting multiple applications through different offices is not the process and would likely be caught.

Letters from professors or supervisors who know the quality of your academic or professional work directly — not character references. The committee wants to understand your capability and track record, not your personality. A letter from someone who can speak to what you produced, and how you produced it, is worth far more than a warm letter from someone senior who knows you socially.

Strongly not recommended. Two professional or academic references are standard. A recommendation from a family member would raise questions about objectivity and would not serve you well.

It is a 5% annual charge on the loan portion of your scholarship (the 50% that is a loan, not the 50% that is a grant). It functions similarly to an interest rate. On the outstanding balance of the loan, you owe 5% per year, which decreases as the principal reduces over the five-year repayment period.

Six months after graduation (or after the scholarship ends, whichever comes first). A possible extension to two years applies if you are continuing further studies or working in a developing country immediately after completion — but this requires arrangement with AKF directly. It is not automatic.

Five years.

The guarantor co-signs the loan agreement and takes on legal responsibility for the loan if you default. AKF does not publish specific criteria for who qualifies as a guarantor. In practice, it is typically a family member with demonstrable assets or income. Confirm the specific requirements with your local office before arranging a guarantor.

AKF does not publish its default or hardship processes publicly. If you face genuine hardship, contact AKF directly and proactively. Do not wait until you are in default. The guarantor co-signed the agreement and takes on legal responsibility if you default, so proactive communication with AKF is in everyone's interest.

Nothing in public documentation prevents early repayment, but confirm with your local office. There is no stated prepayment penalty. If you can repay early, doing so would reduce the total service charge you pay.

No. Russia is not an eligible study destination.

AKF does not publish a list of approved destination countries. Historically, scholars have studied in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Netherlands, Japan, and other countries with internationally recognized universities. The key criterion is that the institution is reputable and the programme is genuinely relevant to your development goals. Confirm with your local office before committing to a university in any country you are unsure about.

Yes. In fact, this is encouraged. AKF explicitly describes itself as a resource of last resort. If your university offers a fellowship covering 30% of your costs, AKF would ideally cover the remaining gap — not duplicate the funding. Combining sources is a strength of your application, not a disqualifier. Declare all funding sources fully and honestly.

Generally no. The scholarship is tied to a specific academic year. Deferring your programme typically means you would need to reapply in the next AKF cycle. If you face a specific deferral situation, contact your local office as early as possible. Waiting until after the deferral is decided is too late.