The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant is funded by the Government of Azerbaijan and welcomes 100 international students a year to Azerbaijani universities, from a preparatory year up to PhD and medical residency.
This guide is based on the official 2026–2027 call for applications published on Study in Azerbaijan.
Who is it for?
The grant is open to citizens of:
- member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC);
- members of the Non-Aligned Movement;
- Small Island Developing States;
- countries with cultural, ethnic or historical ties to Azerbaijan.
Most Arab countries are OIC members, so they fall within the eligible groups. However, the call refers to a country list in Annex 2, so check that your country is on it before you start.
Azerbaijani citizens and former citizens cannot apply. Applicants with several nationalities may submit only one application, under an eligible nationality.
What does the grant cover?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Tuition and preparatory language courses for the whole programme |
| Monthly allowance | AZN 800 (about USD 470) for 10 months a year (not July or August), covering accommodation, daily expenses and study materials |
| Flights | One international economy ticket per year to Baku and back home |
| Medical care | AZN 200 per year (about USD 117) for treatment and medicine in Azerbaijan |
| Visa and residence | A single-entry visa and a temporary residence permit each academic year |
Note: there is no separate housing benefit — the monthly allowance includes it. Any expense not listed in the call is not covered.
Levels and duration
| Level | Duration |
|---|---|
| Preparatory course | 6 months to 1 year |
| Bachelor’s | 4–5 years |
| General medicine | 5–6 years |
| Master’s | 1.5–2 years |
| Medical residency | 2–5 years |
| PhD | 3 years |
Language of instruction: English, Russian, Turkish or Azerbaijani, depending on the programme and your proficiency.
Eligibility
Age (on 15 September 2026):
- Bachelor’s and general medicine: under 35.
- Master’s and medical residency: under 40.
- PhD: under 45.
Grades: at least 70/100 or 7/10 (or equivalent) in your last qualification.
Language (English-taught programmes):
- Bachelor’s: at least IELTS 5 or TOEFL 40.
- Postgraduate: at least IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 50.
- Alternatively, proof of previous study in the language of instruction; the university may also test you.
Health: a medical certificate including HIV and hepatitis B and C tests, issued within 3 months before submission.
Required documents
- Nomination form (first stage).
- Previous diplomas and transcripts.
- Medical certificate.
- Copy of a valid passport.
- CV.
- Proof of language proficiency.
- Motivation letter.
- National and international awards, if any.
File rules: legible, in PDF and notarised. Accepted languages: Azerbaijani, Turkish, English and Russian. Other documents need a notarised English translation.
The two stages (2026–2027 dates)
Stage 1 – nomination by your country
- 16 February to 15 April 2026.
- Submit your file to the competent authority in your country, such as the ministry of higher education or the Azerbaijani embassy.
- Governments review nominations from 16 April to 1 June 2026.
- Nomination does not guarantee a grant.
Stage 2 – online application on SIACAS
- 1 to 10 June 2026, until 6 pm Baku time.
- Only nominated candidates apply on portal.edu.az, choosing the “Heydar Aliyev – International Education Grant” channel.
- You may choose up to 3 specialties at different institutions.
Results and arrival
- Evaluation from 10 June to 1 July 2026.
- Decisions sent from 1 July to 1 August 2026 via SIACAS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Classes start on 15 September 2026; arrival deadline 30 September 2026.
- Selection decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Your obligations once selected
- Confirm your place on SIACAS before the deadline, or it may be reassigned.
- Reply to communications on time; delays can cancel the grant.
- Deliver the required documents to the university.
- Comply with the agreement signed with the institution and the programme.
Practical tips
- Find your nominating authority before February: it is the gateway to stage 1. Ask your ministry of higher education or the Azerbaijani embassy.
- Prepare notarisation and translations early: they take time.
- Watch the medical certificate’s validity: only 3 months — not too early, not too late.
- Choose your three specialties carefully according to the language you master.
- Plan your budget: AZN 800 covers housing and living for 10 months; no allowance is paid in July and August.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a university admission before applying? The call does not mention prior admission as a requirement. You choose up to 3 specialties on SIACAS, and applications are then reviewed.
Does the grant provide university housing? There is no separate housing item. The monthly allowance (AZN 800) is meant to cover housing, living costs and study materials together.
I don’t speak English or Russian. Can I still apply? Yes. The grant covers a preparatory language year of 6 months to 1 year, and some programmes are taught in Turkish or Azerbaijani.
Can I appeal if I am not selected? No. According to the call, selection decisions are final.
Can I apply directly on SIACAS without a nomination? No. SIACAS is for nominated candidates only; nomination goes first through the competent authority in your country.
Contacts
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: [email protected]
- Ministry of Science and Education: [email protected]
- SIACAS technical support: [email protected]
When is the next round?
The 2027–2028 call has not been announced yet. In the 2026–2027 round, nominations opened in mid-February, so follow Study in Azerbaijan and the related grant page below from the start of the year.