Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant, 2026/2027

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The government of the Republic of Azerbaijan has launched the new edition of the Heydar Aliyev International Scholarship Program for the 2026–2027 academic year. Established by a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev in July 2023, this initiative honors national leader Heydar Aliyev and aims to strengthen Azerbaijan’s educational diplomacy by offering 100 fully funded scholarships each year for five years.

What is the Heydar Aliyev Program?

Previously known as the Scholarship of the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the program was renamed to commemorate the country’s founding leader. It enables international students to pursue preparatory courses, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral (PhD), general medicine, and medical residency programs at Azerbaijani universities. Selected applicants receive full financial support covering tuition fees and most study-related expenses.

Eligible Countries and Program Objectives

The program is open to nationals of the following countries:

• Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
• Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement
• Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
• Countries with cultural, ethnic, or historical ties to Azerbaijan

The program is intended to contribute to human capital development in these countries while strengthening academic ties with Azerbaijan.

Duration of Study Programs

Benefits of the Heydar Aliyev Scholarships

Successful applicants to the Heydar Aliyev Scholarship Program 2026/2027 will receive the following benefits:

• Full tuition coverage, including preparatory language courses.
• One round-trip international flight ticket to Baku per year in economy class.
• A monthly stipend of 800 AZN (approximately USD 470) to cover accommodation, daily expenses, and study materials, paid for 10 months per year.
• Annual medical insurance of 200 AZN (approximately USD 117).
• Visa and residence permit support for the full duration of the studies.

Note: The benefits listed above apply only during the official duration of each study program.

Timeline for the 2026–2027 Application Cycle

The application process for the Heydar Aliyev Scholarship Program 2026/2027 takes place in two stages: nomination by the applicant’s national authorities, followed by registration on the SIACAS platform. The official schedule is as follows:

Eligibility Criteria

The following conditions apply:

• Nationality: Azerbaijani citizens and former Azerbaijani citizens are not eligible to apply.
• Age limit (as of September 15, 2026):
  • Bachelor’s and general medicine: under 35 years old.
  • Master’s and medical residency: under 40 years old.
  • Doctorate: under 45 years old.
• Minimum academic performance: an overall average of at least 70/100 or the equivalent 7/10 in previous qualifications.
• Language proficiency:
  • For programs taught in English: a minimum score of IELTS 5 (or TOEFL 40) for undergraduate studies and IELTS 5.5 (or TOEFL 50) for postgraduate studies.
  • Applicants studying in Russian, Turkish, or Azerbaijani must provide proof of proficiency in the relevant language or show that their previous education was completed in that language.
• Required documents: completed nomination form, certified copies of diplomas and transcripts, passport, recent medical certificate (including HIV and hepatitis tests), CV, and motivation letter. Documents must be legible, submitted in PDF format, and translated into English or one of the accepted languages where required.

How to Apply for the Heydar Aliyev Scholarships

1. Step 1: Nomination by your country: submit a complete file, including the form, diplomas, medical certificates, and other required documents, to the competent authorities in your country between February 16 and April 15, 2026. Only state-nominated applications will be considered.
2. Step 2: Register on SIACAS: nominated candidates will receive instructions for registering on portal.edu.az from May 18 to June 1, 2026. Applicants may choose up to three specialties at different Azerbaijani universities.
3. Tracking and notifications: once registered, applicants can monitor the progress of their application through SIACAS. Results will be published between July 1 and August 1, 2026.

Documents and Format

Documents must:

• Be clear, legible, and submitted in PDF format.
• Be written in Azerbaijani, Turkish, English, or Russian, or accompanied by a certified translation into one of these languages.
• Include a medical certificate issued within three months before the application and confirming that the applicant is fit to travel and study.
• Be submitted under only one nationality for applicants with multiple citizenships; only a single application is allowed, based on the nominated nationality.

Important Information

• Number of scholarships: 100 per year.
• Program duration: funding is granted for the full duration of studies, depending on the selected level.
• Final selection: the decision of the selection committee is final.
• Contacts:
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs – [email protected]
  • Ministry of Science and Education – [email protected]
  • SIACAS Support – [email protected]

The Heydar Aliyev International Scholarship gives students from partner countries the opportunity to pursue higher education in Azerbaijan with full financial support. It covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend, medical insurance, airfare, and visa-related formalities. Interested applicants should prepare their documents well in advance and follow the official timeline closely.

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