Start Here
Find Your Program in Two Steps
Step 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 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.
Step 2 (member country applicants): Is your country on the LDMC list?
Yes — LDMC member country
You can apply to the IsDB-ISFD (bachelor's/TVET if you're young and haven't started university), the M.Sc. (if you hold a bachelor's), or the MSP (if you're employed academic staff). Three separate programs available.
No — non-LDMC member country
You are eligible for the MSP only. The IsDB-ISFD and M.Sc. programs are limited to the 21 LDMCs. If you are not academic staff, there is currently no undergraduate or master's track available to you through IsDB.
The Most Asked Question
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 the 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.
The honest caveat: While the non-SPMC programs don't require you to be Muslim, the IsDB is a faith-based institution and its development mission is rooted in Islamic principles. Some components of program review may implicitly reflect this context. If your motivation letter has zero connection to the development mission of member countries, it may be less competitive — not because of religion, but because the programs exist to serve a specific development purpose.
Country Eligibility
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.
SPMC — Eligible Non-Member Countries (2025-26 cycle)
Important: This list changes annually. Always verify against the current year's official SPMC booklet before applying. Countries rotate on and off this list each cycle.
Per-Program Requirements
Requirements at a Glance
| Criterion | SPMC | IsDB-ISFD | M.Sc. | MSP (PhD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age limit | 24 | 24 | 30 | 35 |
| Minimum GPA / grade | 70% (secondary) | 70% (BA) / 50% (TVET) | B+ / Very Good | Very Good |
| Religion | Muslim required | Nationality-based | Nationality-based | Nationality-based |
| Financial need | Yes | Yes | Not explicitly | No |
| Work experience | None | None | Preferred | 2 yrs (mandatory) |
| Language proof | TOEFL/IELTS or equiv. | TOEFL/IELTS or equiv. | TOEFL/IELTS or equiv. | TOEFL/IELTS or equiv. |
| Admission letter needed | Not before applying | Not before applying | Required within 60 days of offer | Required within 60 days of offer |
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.
Know Before You Apply
Things That Will Disqualify You
Already holding a scholarship or similar financial support
IsDB scholarships cannot be held simultaneously with other scholarships or grants covering similar costs. If you receive an IsDB award, you must disclose and relinquish any concurrent scholarship funding. Failing to disclose terminates your scholarship.
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. 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 deadline 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.
Self-Assessment
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.
Keep going — clear up any unchecked items before starting your application. Missing even one of these can end an application before it's reviewed.
You're getting there. Make sure the remaining items are resolved before submitting.
You meet the baseline criteria. Move on to the application guide to understand what documents you need.