Azerbaijan has officially announced the opening of its Heydar Aliyev – International Education Grant Program for the academic year 2025–2026, offering fully funded scholarships to students from around the world, including Pakistan.
The programme, jointly administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Education, aims to strengthen global human capital and promote academic and cultural exchanges with Azerbaijan.
The initiative is named in honour of Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s National Leader, and reflects the country’s commitment to advancing educational diplomacy and fostering international partnerships.
The Heydar Aliyev Scholarship is open to students seeking to pursue higher education at various academic levels and in multiple disciplines. The programme covers:
Bachelor’s degrees and General Medicine programmes (4–6 years)
Master’s degrees and Medical Residency programmes (1.5–5 years)
PhD programmes (3 years)
Preparatory language and foundation courses (6 months to 1 year)
Each year, 100 international students will be selected to join the programme, which is set to continue for the next five years.
The scholarship provides an extensive financial package, including:
Full tuition fee coverage, including preparatory courses
Round-trip international airfare to and from Baku
A monthly stipend of 800 AZN (approximately USD 470) for living costs (for 10 months annually)
Annual medical insurance worth 200 AZN (approximately USD 117)
Visa issuance and residence permit support throughout the duration of study
Eligibility criteria
The programme is open to applicants from:
Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
Member States of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Countries with cultural, historical, or ethnic ties to Azerbaijan
Candidates must also meet specific age requirements:
Undergraduate/General Medicine: Under 35 years old
Master’s/Medical Residency: Under 40 years old
PhD: Under 45 years old
Additionally, applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance, with a minimum GPA of 70%, and proficiency in the language of instruction — English, Russian, Turkish, or Azerbaijani.
Application Process and Timeline
The application procedure is divided into two key stages:
First Stage – National nomination
March 15 – May 15, 2025: Applicants must submit required documents to their respective national authorities, such as Ministries or Embassies.
Second Stage – Centralised registration
June 1 – June 15, 2025: Nominated candidates will register through the Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service (SIACAS) via portal.edu.az.
Final selection and enrollment
June 16 – July 15, 2025: Review and evaluation of submitted applications.
July 16 – July 31, 2025: Notification of selected candidates.
September 15, 2025: Academic year officially begins.
September 30, 2025: Final arrival deadline in Azerbaijan.
Apply now
Interested candidates can access detailed information and application guidelines through the official programme portal.
https://studyinazerbaijan.edu.az/H.Aliyev_IEG_CALL_18.04.pdf
https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/scholarshipsgrants/lao/AZS/Pages/default.aspx#:~:text=%E2%80%8BThe%20Government%20Republic%20of,Grant%20Program%202025%2F26%22.
This scholarship represents a significant opportunity for international students to pursue world-class education while contributing to Azerbaijan’s growing academic and diplomatic engagement on the global stage.
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