Islamic Development Bank Scholarship 2027: Complete Guide

Quick Answer

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship is not a single award — it is four separate programs that fund different degree levels for different groups of students. They cover technical diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, PhD study, and post-doctoral research for citizens of 57 member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries including India, Kenya, and the Philippines.

Funding includes full tuition, a monthly stipend, medical insurance, return airfare, and thesis allowances. Important: Two of the four programs are structured as Qard Hasan (interest-free loans) repaid after graduation, while the other two are full grants. The application deadline for all programs is 31 January annually. Applications go through a single portal at isdbscholarships.smartsimple.com.

Jump to: The 4 Programs · Eligibility · Funding · Deadlines · How to Apply · FAQ

👉 Start with the Program Comparison table below to identify which of the four programs applies to you.

⚠️ Critical: The SPMC and IsDB-ISFD programs are Qard Hasan — an interest-free Islamic loan that you must repay after graduation. They are not full grants. The M.Sc. and MSP programs are full grants with no repayment obligation. Almost every third-party summary incorrectly describes all four as “fully funded scholarships.”

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: Your country’s IsDB membership status determines which program you can access. Students from India, Philippines, or Kenya (non-member countries) apply to the SPMC. Students from Nigeria, Pakistan, or Indonesia (member countries) apply to the MSP or, if from one of the 21 LDMCs, the M.Sc. program. These are entirely separate tracks.

SPMC — Scholarship Program for Muslim Communities

• Must be a Muslim student from one of the eligible non-member countries. The list rotates annually — recent cycles have included Australia, Cambodia, Croatia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, India, Kenya, Liberia, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Republic of Congo, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, The Philippines, Trinidad-Tobago, and Vietnam. Always check the current year’s list, since it changes.
• Must have completed senior secondary education (roughly 12 years of schooling) with strong grades in main science subjects
• Maximum age: 24 years
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Study is usually completed at a recognised university at home rather than abroad

IsDB-ISFD — Scholarship for Least Developed Member Countries

• Citizen of one of the 21 Least Developed Member Countries (LDMCs): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Yemen
• Must demonstrate financial need — the programme targets academically meritorious, financially disadvantaged applicants
• Maximum age: 24 years
• Study in home country or at partner institutions in Malaysia, Morocco, or Turkey

M.Sc. — Master of Science Scholarship Program

• Citizen of one of the 21 LDMCs (same list as IsDB-ISFD, above)
• Maximum age: 30 years at the closing date of applications
• B.Sc. or equivalent in science/technology with above-average academic standing
• Must be nominated by a scientific/academic/research institution
• Good command of the language of study
• Provisional or full admission from a university ranked among the top 1,000 in the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) ranking is desirable and strongly encouraged. Priority is given to applicants admitted to universities in Malaysia, Morocco, Türkiye, or Makerere University in Uganda

MSP — Merit Scholarship for High Technology

• Maximum age: 35 years for PhD study; 40 years for post-doctoral research
• M.Sc. (for PhD) or PhD (for Postdoc) in a relevant field
• Above-average (“Very Good”) academic achievement
• Work and/or research experience of not less than 2 years for PhD study or 5 years for post-doctoral research in the related field
• Record of publications/research in the same field
• Must be employed at a research institution and nominated by your employer. Individual applications without institutional backing are not accepted
• The MSP covers 17 high-technology fields, including laser and fiber optics, genetic engineering/biotechnology, nuclear science/engineering, renewable energy, space science/technology, and technology management and innovation (for post-doctoral research only)

⚠️ Common Disqualifier: Applicants must not be affiliated with IsDB as staff, consultants, or close relatives of its officials. Post-doctoral applicants who have had a post-doctoral experience outside their countries within the past two years are not eligible.

Qard Hasan (Interest-Free Loan)

The SPMC and IsDB-ISFD programs are structured as Qard Hasan — an interest-free Islamic loan. This means:

• You receive full funding for your studies
• After graduation and employment, you repay the amount in instalments
• Repayment goes to an IsDB Education Trust (IET) in your own country, not back to the Bank. This is a Waqf set up (or to be set up) in the students’ countries
• The repaid funds are recycled to provide more scholarships to other eligible students from the same country
• There is zero interest, and repayment is in easy instalments intended to be manageable once you’re employed

This model is designed to create a self-sustaining cycle of education funding within communities, complementing the direct scholarships and helping the program sustain itself long-term.

Full Grant (No Repayment)

The M.Sc. and MSP programs are full grants with no repayment obligation. This means:

• You receive full funding for your studies
• There is no repayment required after graduation
• These are true scholarships in the conventional sense

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: If you are applying for the SPMC or IsDB-ISFD programs, understand that you are accepting a loan — even if it is interest-free and repaid to a local trust. If you are applying for the M.Sc. or MSP programs, you are receiving a grant with no repayment. Make sure you understand which model applies to your application. Also note: the scholarship is meant to supplement, not duplicate, other funding you may have — you must notify IsDB if you have other sources of financial support.

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: The exact stipend amount varies by country of study. For scholars studying in the UK, for example, the stipend is approximately £1,030 per month. In other countries, it is adjusted to match local living costs. The IsDB-ISFD program provides the same core benefits as the SPMC, including tuition, stipend, medical insurance, and airfare.

Step 1 — Identify Your Program

Before you do anything else, determine which of the four programs applies to you. This depends on your citizenship status (member or non-member country), your degree level, and your age. Use the program comparison table above.

Step 2 — Confirm Your Eligibility

Check the specific eligibility requirements for your chosen program: citizenship, age limit, academic qualifications, work experience (for MSP), and institutional nomination requirement (for M.Sc. and MSP).

Step 3 — Secure Institutional Nomination (If Required)

For the M.Sc. and MSP programs, you must be nominated by a university, research centre, or scientific institution in your home country. For MSP, you must be employed at a research institution and nominated by your employer. Individual applications without institutional backing are not accepted.

Step 4 — Prepare Your Documents

You will need:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• CV or résumé
• Research proposal or statement of purpose (for M.Sc. and MSP)
• Admission letter (provisional or full) from a listed university (for M.Sc.)
• Nomination letter from your institution (for M.Sc. and MSP)
• Proof of citizenship
• Passport-sized photograph

Step 5 — Submit Through the Online Portal

Submit your application through the official IsDB scholarship portal at isdbscholarships.smartsimple.com. All four programs are managed through this same portal — you select your program type during registration. Ensure your application is complete and endorsed by your nominating institution before submitting.

Step 6 — Wait for Selection Results

The selection process involves institutional review, eligibility screening, and final selection by IsDB. Sending an application, or even holding a university admission offer, does not guarantee a scholarship — until IsDB formally notifies you of an award, don’t make decisions about your existing employment or other commitments based on an assumed outcome. Successful candidates are notified by email. For questions, contact [email protected] — this is the only official channel IsDB uses for scholarship inquiries.

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: The IsDB also runs a joint scholarship program with Türkiye Bursları for citizens of IsDB member countries and Muslim communities. Applicants apply through the standard Türkiye Bursları application and select “Yes” for the Joint Scholarship Program. The deadline for that program is typically in February.

⚠️ Important: The 31 January deadline applies to all four programs. However, for the M.Sc. and MSP programs, you must secure institutional nomination and (for M.Sc.) university admission before the deadline. Start working on these requirements in September or October 2026.

For SPMC and IsDB-ISFD (Undergraduate / TVET)

• Academic performance: Strong grades in secondary school, especially in science subjects.
• Financial need: Demonstrated need for financial assistance.
• Community impact: Potential to contribute to your community after graduation.
• Muslim status: For SPMC only — applicants from non-member countries must be Muslim.

For M.Sc. (Master’s)

• Academic excellence: Above-average grades in your B.Sc. program.
• Relevance to development: Your proposed field of study must demonstrate scientific and development relevance to your country.
• Institutional nomination: Endorsement from a recognised scientific or academic institution.
• Admission: Provisional or full admission from a listed university is strongly encouraged.

For MSP (PhD and Postdoc)

• Academic achievement: “Very Good” or equivalent academic record.
• Research experience: Minimum 2 years for PhD; 5 years for Postdoc.
• Publications: A record of publications in the same field.
• Research proposal: A proposed field of study or research in one of the 17 approved high-technology areas, endorsed by your nominating institution, demonstrating relevance to your country.
• Employer nomination: You must be employed at a research institution and nominated by your employer.

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: The MSP program is highly competitive and research-focused. Your research proposal must demonstrate clear scientific and development relevance to your home country. Generic proposals will not survive the review. Work closely with your nominating institution to develop a strong, specific proposal.

1. Identify the Right Program First

The biggest mistake applicants make is applying to the wrong program. Check your country’s IsDB membership status, your degree level, and your age against the four programs. If you are unsure, contact IsDB directly at [email protected].

2. Secure Institutional Nomination Early

For the M.Sc. and MSP programs, institutional nomination is mandatory. Start talking to your university, research centre, or employer in September or October — months before the January deadline. Do not wait until December to request a nomination letter.

3. Write a Strong Research Proposal

For the M.Sc. and MSP programs, your research proposal is the most important document. It must demonstrate originality, scientific rigour, and clear relevance to your country’s development. Name specific research questions, methodologies, and expected outcomes.

4. Secure University Admission (M.Sc.)

For the M.Sc. program, provisional or full admission from a listed university is strongly encouraged. Apply to your chosen universities early — admission decisions can take months. The IsDB maintains a list of approved universities.

5. Understand the Repayment Model

If you are applying for SPMC or IsDB-ISFD, understand that you are accepting a Qard Hasan loan. The terms are favourable — no interest, repayment after employment, and repayment goes to a local education trust — but it is still a loan. Make sure you are comfortable with this before applying.

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: Contact current or former IsDB scholars from your country. They can tell you what their application process was like and how they prepared. University international offices and IsDB alumni networks are good places to start.

1. Applying to the Wrong Program

This is the most common mistake. Students from member countries apply to the SPMC (which is for non-member countries), or students from non-member countries apply to the MSP. Check your eligibility carefully before applying.

2. Missing the Institutional Nomination Requirement

The M.Sc. and MSP programs require institutional nomination. If you submit an individual application without endorsement, it will not be considered. Start the nomination process months in advance.

3. Ignoring the Qard Hasan Repayment Obligation

Some applicants assume all IsDB scholarships are grants. The SPMC and IsDB-ISFD programs are interest-free loans that must be repaid after graduation. Understand the terms before accepting.

4. Submitting an Incomplete Application

Incomplete applications are rejected before anyone reads them. Double-check that all required documents are uploaded and that your application is endorsed by your nominating institution.

5. Waiting Until the Deadline

The IsDB portal slows dramatically in the final days before 31 January. Submit at least 5–7 days early to avoid technical failures.

6. Overlooking the Joint IsDB-Türkiye Bursları Program

The IsDB also runs a joint scholarship program with Türkiye Bursları for citizens of member countries and Muslim communities. If you are eligible, consider applying through that program as well. Applications go through the standard Türkiye Bursları portal.

7. Falling for Scams

IsDB never charges a fee at any stage of the scholarship process. If anyone asks you to send money or share sensitive personal information to “secure” your scholarship, it is a scam — report it and correspond only through [email protected].

Your IsDB Scholarship Action Plan

1. Identify your program. Use the comparison table to determine which of the four IsDB programs applies to you.
2. Check your eligibility. Confirm your citizenship status, age, academic qualifications, and work experience (for MSP).
3. Secure institutional nomination (if required). Start talking to your university, research centre, or employer in September or October 2026.
4. Prepare your documents. Transcripts, CV, research proposal, admission letter (for M.Sc.), and nomination letter.
5. Apply for university admission (M.Sc.). Apply to listed universities early — admission decisions take months.
6. Submit your application by 31 January 2027. Do not wait until the final day.
7. Consider the joint IsDB-Türkiye Bursları program. If eligible, apply through the Türkiye Bursları portal as well.
8. Apply for parallel scholarships. Consider Stipendium Hungaricum, Schwarzman Scholars, and Rhodes Scholarship.

📋 Sources & Methodology

This guide was compiled from the official IsDB Scholarship Programs portal (isdb.org/scholarships), the official SPMC, IsDB-ISFD, M.Sc., and MSP program booklets published on isdb.org, the official IsDB Member Countries page, the IsDB 2022 Financial Statements, university announcements (Birzeit University, Université Skikda), and verified scholarship guides from ScholarshipUnion and Global Admissions.

The 57-member-country figure, the four programs’ establishment years (SPMC 1983, MSP 1992, M.Sc. 1998, IsDB-ISFD 2019), and the 21-country LDMC list were each cross-checked directly against IsDB’s own official pages and program booklets. The “20,500+ scholarships” figure is from the IsDB 2022 Financial Statements. The “17 high-technology fields” for MSP are listed in the official MSP booklet. 2027/2028 cycle dates are projected from prior-cycle timing and marked as expected, since IsDB had not yet published official dates for that cycle at the time of this review. Always confirm current details on isdb.org/scholarships before applying.