IsDB Scholarship Eligibility: Who Actually Qualifies

Find Your Program in Two Steps

1. 1
   Is your country an IsDB member state?

   Yes — member country: go to step 2. You are eligible for the MSP (PhD/Postdoc, if you're academic staff), or for the M.Sc./IsDB-ISFD if your country is also an LDMC.

   No — non-member country: SPMC is your only option. You must be Muslim and your country must appear on the current year's eligible non-member country list. Skip to the SPMC section.

2. 2
   Member country applicants: is your country on an LDMC list?

   Yes — LDMC member country: you can apply to IsDB-ISFD (bachelor's/TVET, if you're young and haven't started university), the M.Sc. (if you hold a bachelor's and your country is on the M.Sc. list), or the MSP (if you're employed academic staff). Up to three separate programs are available.

   No — non-LDMC member country: you are eligible for the MSP only. IsDB-ISFD and the M.Sc. are limited to the LDMCs. If you are not academic staff, there is currently no undergraduate or master's track available to you through IsDB.

Do You Have to Be Muslim?

This question comes up constantly and the official booklets don't give a clean answer. Here's what the programs actually say.

SPMC — yes, you must be Muslim

The SPMC explicitly targets “Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries.” You must provide evidence of your Muslim identity as part of the application. A non-Muslim student from India or the Philippines — even one who is otherwise perfectly eligible — cannot apply to this program. This is not a technicality; it is the defining purpose of the program.

MSP, M.Sc., IsDB-ISFD — based on nationality, not religion

These three programs require you to be a citizen of an IsDB member country or LDMC. The eligibility criterion is your passport — not your faith. A Christian from Uganda, a Hindu from Suriname, or a non-Muslim from Albania is technically eligible for these programs based on citizenship alone.

The official booklets don't say “must be Muslim” for these programs. In practice, most applicants are Muslim because IsDB's membership is predominantly Muslim-majority nations — but the programs themselves are open by nationality, not religion. If you're a non-Muslim citizen of a member country, you are not excluded.

Which Countries Qualify for Which Programs

All 57 IsDB member countries (eligible for MSP)

Academic staff from any of these countries can apply to the MSP. Students from non-LDMC members do not have an undergraduate or master's program available through IsDB.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

The LDMC lists (IsDB-ISFD and M.Sc.)

The two LDMC programs use slightly different lists in their current booklets:

SPMC — eligible non-member countries (2025-26 cycle)

Australia, Cambodia, Croatia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, India, Kenya, Liberia, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, the Philippines, Republic of Congo, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Vietnam and Zambia.

The downloadable SPMC booklet on isdb.org also lists Canada, Germany and Malawi (31 countries). When the two disagree, go by the list published for your application year.

Requirements at a Glance

Official booklets set the age limits and the “Very Good” standard; the percentage minimums are commonly cited figures — confirm them in your program's current booklet.

Language requirements

IsDB programs are offered in English, French and Arabic depending on the study destination. If you're studying in Malaysia or Turkey, English proficiency is expected. If in Morocco, you may study in French or Arabic. If your previous education was delivered in the same language as your intended study program, a formal proficiency certificate may not be required — but verify this in the current year's booklet for your specific program and study country.

Things That Will Disqualify You

Already holding a scholarship or similar financial support

IsDB scholarships may only supplement, never duplicate, other funding covering similar costs. If you receive an IsDB award, you must tell IsDB about any other funding you have. Hiding it puts your award at risk.

Applying for a field not on the approved list

Each program has a fixed list of eligible fields. Humanities, law, business, economics and social sciences are generally excluded (the IsDB-ISFD technical diploma list is the exception, with a few business and trade diplomas). If your intended program isn't on the list, your application will not proceed. Check the specific program booklet before spending time on your documents.

Exceeding the age limit at the time of application

Age is calculated as of the application closing date, not the study start date. If you turn 31 before the deadline and are applying to the M.Sc. program (max age 30), you are not eligible — even if your intended study year begins after your birthday.

Applying for MSP as a non-institutional nominee

The Merit Scholarship Program (PhD/Postdoc) does not accept individual applications. There is no mechanism to apply directly as a student. If you do not have an institutional nomination letter from your employer, there is no application to submit.

Country not on the current cycle's eligible list

This applies most acutely to SPMC. If your country was listed last year but isn't in the current booklet, you cannot apply this cycle. Do not base your application on a previous year's list. Download the current booklet every time.

Living outside your home country, or a family link to IsDB

The SPMC and IsDB-ISFD booklets require applicants to live in their home country. All four booklets also exclude IsDB Group staff (including temporary staff and consultants) and their close relatives — parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Quick Eligibility Self-Check

Run through these eight points for the program you think applies to you. This isn't a formal eligibility test — it's a reality check before you invest time in documents. Tick each item that is true for you.