Azerbaijan Government Scholarship for International Students Scholarship 2026

Are you looking for a fully funded scholarship to study in Azerbaijan? The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program for the 2026-2027 academic year is now accepting applications. This prestigious scholarship is funded by the Government of Azerbaijan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Education.

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Scholarship Overview

The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program honors the memory of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of Azerbaijan. Established by the decree of President Ilham Aliyev on July 8, 2023, this program provides an excellent opportunity for selected candidates to study in leading universities of Azerbaijan.

The program offers 100 fully funded scholarships annually for international students. Scholarships are available for:

• Preparatory courses

• Bachelor's programs (including General Medicine)

• Master's programs (including Medical Residency)

• Doctoral (PhD) programs

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Eligible Countries

The scholarship is open to citizens of:

• Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

• Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement

• Small Island Developing States

• Countries sharing common cultural, ethnic, and historical ties with Azerbaijan

Important: Citizens of Azerbaijan or individuals whose Azerbaijani citizenship has been terminated are not eligible to apply.

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Program Duration by Degree Level

Level Program Duration Bachelor's Programs 4–5 years General Medicine 5–6 years Master's Programs 1.5–2 years Medical Residency 2–5 years Doctoral (PhD) Programs 3 years Preparatory Courses 6 months to 1 year

Scholarship Benefits

Selected scholars receive comprehensive financial support:

Tuition Fees

Full tuition fee coverage including language preparatory courses for the entire study period.

International Flights

Economy class flight ticket to Baku from your home country and return ticket once a year.

Monthly Allowance

800 AZN (approximately 470 USD) per month for accommodation, daily expenses, and educational materials. This is paid for 10 months each year (excluding July and August).

Medical Insurance

200 AZN (approximately 117 USD) yearly allowance for medical care and medication during your studies in Azerbaijan.

Visa and Registration

Single entry visa to Azerbaijan and temporary residence permit for each academic year.

These benefits ensure you can focus completely on your studies without financial worries.

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Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirements (as of September 15, 2026)

Program Level Maximum Age Undergraduate & General Medicine Below 35 years Graduate & Medical Residency Below 40 years Doctoral Programs Below 45 years

Academic Requirements

• Previous degree marks must not be less than 70% (on 0-100 scale) or 7/10 or equivalent

Language Proficiency Requirements

Instruction Language Requirement English (Undergraduate) Minimum IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL 40 English (Postgraduate) Minimum IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 50 Russian Proof of proficiency OR previous education in Russian Turkish Proof of proficiency OR previous education in Turkish Azerbaijani Proof of English, Russian, or Turkish proficiency OR previous education in one of these languages

Note: The higher education institution may examine candidates' language proficiency during selection.

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Required Documents

Prepare these documents in Azerbaijani, Turkish, English, or Russian with notarized translations if needed:

1. Completed Nomination Form (for first stage)

   1. Diplomas and Academic Transcripts from previous institutions

   2. Medical Certificate (including HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B/C tests) – dated within 3 months of application

   3. Valid Passport Copy

   4. CV or Resume

   5. Motivation Letter

   6. Local and International Awards (if available)

   7. Language Proficiency Certificates (IELTS/TOEFL as applicable)

Document Requirements:

• Must be legible and clear

• Submitted in PDF format

• Non-English/Azerbaijani/Russian/Turkish documents require notarized English translation

Application Timeline

Stage Dates First Stage: Submission to Country Authorities February 16 – April 15, 2026 Country Authority Review & Nomination April 16 – May 16, 2026 Second Stage: SIACAS Registration May 18 – June 1, 2026 Review & Evaluation June 1 – July 1, 2026 Selected Candidates Notification July 1 – August 1, 2026 Academic Year Start September 15, 2026 Last Arrival Date in Azerbaijan September 30, 2026

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: First Stage – Country Nomination (Deadline: April 15, 2026)

Do not apply directly to universities or through the SIACAS portal at this stage.

You must:

• Wait for your country's authorized bodies (ministries, embassies, or designated authorities) to announce the call

• Submit all required documents to the relevant national authority

• The authority reviews applications and nominates selected candidates to the Azerbaijani government

Step 2: Second Stage – SIACAS Registration (May 18 – June 1, 2026)

If officially nominated:

• Nominated candidates receive instructions to register on the Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service (SIACAS) website: portal.edu.az

• Select the "Heydar Aliyev - International Education Grant" admission channel

• You can choose 3 specialties at different higher educational institutions

Step 3: Selection & Notification (July – August 2026)

• Selection Committee evaluates all nominated applications

• Final decisions communicated through SIACAS and Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Selected candidates confirm participation through SIACAS within specified deadline

Step 4: Arrival in Azerbaijan (September 2026)

• Receive guidelines about visa, migration rules, and scholarship holder obligations

• Arrive in Azerbaijan by September 30, 2026

• Complete required documentation at the higher education institution

• Sign scholarship agreement with the university

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Important Considerations

• Official nomination by country authorities does not guarantee final selection – the Azerbaijani Selection Committee makes final decisions

• All selection decisions are final and not subject to appeal

• Candidates with multiple nationalities may submit only one application for an eligible nation

• Expenses not specified in the call will not be covered or reimbursed

• Selected applicants must respond to communications within established timeframes to avoid cancellation

• The selected applicant is considered a scholarship recipient only after delivering documentation to the university in Azerbaijan

Participating Higher Education Institutions

Scholars will study at leading public universities across Azerbaijan. Candidates can select three specialties at different higher educational institutions through the application portal.

Why Choose This Scholarship?

Comprehensive Financial Coverage

The scholarship eliminates all financial barriers to international education. From tuition to flights, monthly allowance to medical insurance, everything is covered.

Quality Education

Study at leading public universities in Azerbaijan with globally recognized degrees.

Cultural Experience

Azerbaijan is a beautiful country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, offering rich cultural experiences.

Professional Networks

Build connections spanning multiple regions and disciplines.

Government Support

This is a prestigious government scholarship that adds value to your resume.

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Tips for a Strong Application

Contact Your Country's Designated Authority Immediately

Identify which ministry or embassy handles scholarship nominations in your country. Start this process right away.

Prepare Documents Early

Medical certificates, translations, and notarizations take time. Start gathering everything now.

Meet Language Requirements

Take IELTS or TOEFL if applying for English-medium programs. Book your test early.

Submit Complete Applications

Incomplete submissions may be rejected. Double-check everything before submitting.

Monitor Deadlines Strictly

Late submissions are not accepted. Mark all dates on your calendar.

Apply to Multiple Options

Do not rely on just one scholarship. Apply to several to increase your chances.

Final Thoughts

The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program represents Azerbaijan's commitment to developing global human capital and strengthening international partnerships. For students from eligible countries, this scholarship offers a life-changing opportunity to study abroad with full financial support.

The application process has two stages, with the first stage nomination deadline of April 15, 2026, approaching quickly. Contact your country's designated authority today to begin your application process.

If you dream of studying in Azerbaijan with full funding, this scholarship should be at the top of your list. Prepare your documents, meet the eligibility requirements, and submit your application on time.

Apply Now

Official Application Link:

Apply for Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program 2026

Contact Information

For questions regarding the application process:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: scholars@mfa.gov.az

• Ministry of Science and Education: info@studyinazerbaijan.edu.az

• Technical issues with SIACAS: siacas.support@tsii.edu.az (include description and screenshots)

Good luck with your scholarship application