Islamic Development Bank Scholarship in Uganda 2026

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) offers one of the most prestigious and comprehensive scholarship programs for students from Muslim communities around the world. With fully funded opportunities spanning bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels, the IsDB Scholarship enables talented individuals to pursue higher education at leading universities in countries including Malaysia, Morocco, Turkey, and Uganda.

For Pakistani students and applicants from Muslim-majority nations seeking quality education with complete financial support, this scholarship represents a transformative opportunity. If you are exploring study options across the Islamic world, you should check fully funded scholarships in Turkey for international students to understand the broader landscape of educational funding available in IsDB member countries.

Overview of IsDB Scholarship Programs 2026-27

The Islamic Development Bank established its scholarship programs to develop human capital in member countries and Muslim communities worldwide. Since 1983, the Bank has offered several distinct scholarship tracks tailored to different academic levels and applicant backgrounds. Each program is designed to address specific needs, from supporting undergraduate studies in non-member Muslim communities to funding advanced research in high technology fields. The scholarships cover full tuition, monthly living allowances, medical care, and travel expenses, ensuring students can focus entirely on their studies.

• Host Organization: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)

• Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, Postdoctoral

• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded

• Eligible Nationalities: IsDB member countries and Muslim communities in non-member nations

• Host Locations: Malaysia, Morocco, Turkey, Uganda (varies by program)

• Application Deadline: Varies by program

For students interested in comparing opportunities in other Islamic countries, latest scholarships in Saudi Arabia for all nationalities provides another perspective on educational funding in the region.

1. Muslim Communities in Non-member Countries Scholarship Program (SPMC)

The SPMC program was established in 1983 to support undergraduate students from Muslim communities in non-member countries. This scholarship enables talented students to pursue bachelor's degrees at recognized universities, ideally in their own countries. The program aims to strengthen educational capacity within Muslim communities outside IsDB member nations.

Eligible Countries for SPMC

Australia, Canada, Croatia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Germany, Ghana, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, The Philippines, Trinidad-Tobago, Vietnam, Zambia, Liberia, Cambodia, Mauritius, Macedonia.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age at most 24 years

• Genuine financial need

• Completed senior high school or 12 years of study with good grades in science courses

• Not an IsDB employee or family member

• Proficiency in the language of instruction (TOEFL/IELTS may be required)

• Good health and ability to pass medical assessment

• Admission letter to a recognized institution

• Residing in country of origin

• No other scholarship funding

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition paid directly to universities

• Monthly living allowance

• Annual clothing and book allowance (three months' stipend value)

• Medical care expenses

• Economy class return air tickets

2. Merit Scholarship Program for High Technology (MSP)

The MSP supports doctoral and postdoctoral research in high technology and applied sciences, strengthening scientific and research capabilities in IsDB member countries. This program has been operating since 1992 and focuses on fields critical to development.

Eligible Countries for MSP

Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote 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, Yemen.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD

• Age up to 35 years

• Master's degree in science and technology

• Exceptional academic achievement

• Language proficiency and research capability

• Minimum two years work or research experience

• Research proposal in approved fields

• Admission to accredited university

Eligibility Criteria for Postdoctoral

• Age up to 40 years

• PhD degree in science and technology

• Exceptional academic achievement

• Minimum five years work or research experience

• Research proposal in approved fields

• Not completed postdoctoral work abroad in previous two years

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition paid directly to universities

• Monthly stipend based on single status

• Health insurance through university system

• Thesis or scientific paper preparation support

• Conference allowance for PhD students

• Installation allowance and return airfare

For students interested in research-focused opportunities, financial aids for students in Asia provides information on various programs across the continent.

3. Master of Science Scholarship Program (M.Sc.)

The M.Sc. Scholarship Program was launched in 1998 to support students from 20 Least Developed Member Countries (LDMCs) who were unable to benefit from the MSP. This program enables talented students to pursue master's degrees in science and technology fields.

Eligible Countries for M.Sc.

Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Yemen.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality of one of the listed LDMCs

• Age up to 30 years

• Bachelor's degree in science and technology

• Above-average academic grades

• Nominated by national scientific, academic, or research institute

• Language proficiency and research capability

• Admission to accredited institution

• Not an IsDB employee or family member

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition paid directly to universities

• Monthly living allowance

• Medical care expenses

• Thesis preparation costs

• Return air ticket (once at start and end)

• Installation reimbursement for international students

4. IsDB-ISFD Scholarship Program

Launched in 2019 in partnership with the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), this program aims to reduce poverty in 21 Least Developed IsDB Member Countries by supporting undergraduate studies.

Eligible Countries for IsDB-ISFD

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Yemen.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age up to 24 years

• Genuine financial need

• Completed senior high school with good grades in science courses

• Enrolled in approved study programs

• Commitment to return to home country after studies

• Language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS may be required)

• Admission letter to recognized institution

• Not an IsDB employee or family member

• Good health and ability to pass medical assessment

• No other scholarship funding

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition paid directly to universities

• Monthly living allowance

• Annual clothing and book allowance

• Medical care expenses

• Economy class return air tickets

How to Apply

Application procedures vary by scholarship program. Interested candidates should visit the official IsDB scholarship portal to identify the program matching their profile and country eligibility. Applicants must submit academic transcripts, degree certificates, language proficiency scores, research proposals (for graduate programs), and admission letters from accredited universities. Shortlisted candidates undergo medical assessment and interviews. Deadlines vary by program, so early preparation is essential.

Final Thoughts

The Islamic Development Bank Scholarship 2026-27 offers exceptional fully funded opportunities for students from IsDB member countries and Muslim communities worldwide. With four distinct programs covering undergraduate through postdoctoral levels, students can find a pathway aligned with their academic goals and circumstances. From the SPMC supporting Muslim communities in non-member nations to the ISFD program addressing poverty through education, these scholarships provide comprehensive financial support including tuition, living allowances, and travel.

All eligible students should carefully review the country lists and program requirements, prepare strong applications with complete documentation, and take this opportunity to pursue quality education at prestigious institutions across the Islamic world.

Apply Now for Islamic Development Bank Scholarship 2026-27