Are you an ambitious student seeking a fully funded international education? The Government of Azerbaijan has announced the prestigious Heydar Aliyev – International Education Grant Program for the 2026-2027 academic year. This annual scholarship, honoring Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev, offers a unique chance for 100 talented students from eligible countries to study at top Azerbaijani universities across all academic levels. If you’re ready to advance your academic journey in a vibrant and historic country, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
About the Heydar Aliyev – International Education Grant Program
- Host Country: Azerbaijan
- Duration: Varies by program (Preparatory: 6 months–1 year, Bachelor’s: 4–5 years, General Medicine: 5–6 years, Master’s: 1.5–2 years, Medical Residency: 2–5 years, Doctoral: 3 years)
- Dates: Academic year starts September 15, 2026; arrival deadline September 30, 2026
- Benefits: Fully funded tuition, monthly stipend, international flights, medical insurance, visa support
- Deadline: April 15, 2026 (first stage application via government authorities)
Also Check: Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) 2026 – Fully Funded Postgraduate Study
Financial Benefits
Selected scholars will receive comprehensive support, including:
- Full tuition fee coverage (including preparatory language courses)
- International economy class flight tickets to and from Azerbaijan (once per year)
- Monthly allowance of 800 AZN (approx. $470 USD) for accommodation, daily expenses, and educational materials (10 months/year)
- Annual medical insurance allowance of 200 AZN (approx. $117 USD)
- Single entry visa and temporary residence permit for each academic year
Also Check: IFAD Internship Programme 2024 – Fully Funded Opportunity
Program Theme
The Heydar Aliyev – International Education Grant Program aims to foster global human capital development by supporting outstanding foreign nationals in pursuing full-time studies at Azerbaijan’s leading universities. The scholarship covers a wide range of fields and academic levels, including preparatory courses, undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, general medicine, and medical residency programs.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Open to citizens of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, Non-Aligned Movement member states, Small Island Developing States, and countries with cultural, ethnic, or historical ties to Azerbaijan. (Azerbaijani citizens/former citizens are not eligible.)
- Age:
- Undergraduate/General Medicine: under 35 years (as of 15.09.2026)
- Graduate/Medical Residency: under 40 years (as of 15.09.2026)
- Doctoral: under 45 years (as of 15.09.2026)
- Academic Background: Minimum GPA of 70/100 (or equivalent) in previous studies
- Language Requirements:
- English: IELTS 5 (undergraduate), IELTS 5.5 (postgraduate) or equivalent; or previous education in English
- Russian/Turkish/Azerbaijani: Proof of proficiency or prior education in the language
- Other Requirements:
- Completed nomination form
- Academic transcripts and diplomas
- Medical certificate (including HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B/C tests)
- Valid passport
- CV/Resume
- Motivation letter
- Local/international awards (if available)
- All documents must be clear, notarized, and in Azerbaijani, Turkish, English, or Russian (or accompanied by certified translation)
How to Apply for the Heydar Aliyev – International Education Grant Program?
The application process is two-staged. First, submit your application and required documents to the relevant government authority (Ministry, Embassy, etc.) in your home country by April 15, 2026. If nominated, you will proceed to the second stage and register your application online via the Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service (SIACAS) at portal.edu.az between May 18 and June 1, 2026. For full details and official documentation, visit the official scholarship announcement.
Yasir is currently a master’s student at Bilkent University on a fully funded scholarship. He has a strong passion for technology, innovation, and creating meaningful impact through digital platforms. Yasir’s goal is to make education more accessible by helping students discover global opportunities and take confident steps toward their future.