Saudi ArabiaMasterNext cycle not announced yetFully FundedIsDB M.Sc. Scholarship in Science and Technology for Least Developed Member Countries 2027–2028
ForsaEduforsaedu.comOpportunity Overview
Fully funded IsDB master's in science, engineering or medicine for nationals of 20 least developed member countries: tuition, stipend, insurance, airfare. The Islamic Development Bank's Master of Science Scholarship Programme, launched in 1998 as a feeder for its PhD Merit Scholarship, funds up to two years of master's study in science, engineering, technology or medicine for nationals of its 20 least developed member countries. Scholars study at a university in an IsDB member country that is ranked in the Times Higher Education top 1,000, with priority for those admitted to universities with IsDB cooperation agreements in Malaysia, Morocco and Türkiye or to Makerere University in Uganda. The scholarship covers tuition paid directly to the university, a monthly stipend, medical care, a thesis preparation allowance, airfare at the start and end of studies, and an installation allowance. Applicants must be 30 or younger, hold a bachelor's degree in science or technology with above-average grades, and be nominated by a scientific, academic or research institution at home, with endorsement from the IsDB Governor's office. Scholars sign a surety bond to return home and work in science and development for at least twice the length of the scholarship. The 2026–2027 call closed in early 2026, and the next call is expected between late 2026 and early 2027.
Funding Benefits & Coverage
6 BenefitsTuition fees
Paid directly to the university.
Monthly stipend
Based on the cost of living in the country of study.
Medical care
Thesis allowance
Return airfare
Once at the start and once at the end of studies.
Installation allowance
For scholars studying outside their home country.
Eligibility & Acceptance Criteria
5 CriteriaAfghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and 16 others
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps.
Funding type: Fully Funded. Announced benefits: Tuition fees, Monthly stipend, Medical care, Thesis allowance, Return airfare, Installation allowance.
Eligible levels: Master.
Next cycle not announced yet. Follow the official website for updates.
Your application goes through an official body in your home country: the Ministry of Higher Education (nominating agency) or the host country's embassy or commission there; applications sent only to the granting body are not accepted. Each country has its own deadline and procedure, so follow that body's announcements and check the official website (https://www.isdb.org/scholarships/scholarship-programs) for details. ForsaEdu does not receive applications or charge any fee.
Ready to apply?
Submit your application directly through the official provider portal.
Available Majors
Key Details
More from Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
About the scholarshipSaudi ArabiaIsDB Scholarship Programme for Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries (SPMC) 2027–2028
Interest-free IsDB loan for Muslim students in 31 non-member countries to study a bachelor's in medicine, engineering or science, covering tuition and living. The Scholarship Programme for Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries (SPMC), run by the Islamic Development Bank since 1983, helps young Muslims in 31 non-member countries complete a bachelor's degree at a recognised government university, usually in their own country. Eligible fields are medicine, engineering, agriculture, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, nursing, nutrition, computer science, forestry and fisheries. The award is an interest-free loan (Qard Hasan) that covers tuition paid directly to the university, a monthly stipend, a books and clothing allowance equal to three months' stipend and medical care, plus return airfare and an installation allowance when study abroad is approved. Once employed, graduates repay the loan in easy instalments to the IsDB Education Trust in their country, which uses the money to support new students. Applicants must be 24 or younger, in genuine financial need and committed to returning to serve their community. Applications go through the national counterpart organisation, a local NGO that announces the call, checks documents and runs pre-selection and interviews. The 2026–2027 call closed on 31 January 2026, and based on previous cycles the 2027–2028 call is expected between December 2026 and January 2027.
Saudi ArabiaIsDB Merit Scholarship Programme for High Technology (MSP) for PhD and Postdoc 2027–2028
Fully funded IsDB PhD and postdoc scholarship for nationals of its 57 member countries, including Arab states, in 17 high-tech fields such as AI and biotech. The Islamic Development Bank set up the Merit Scholarship Program for High Technology (MSP) in 1992 to build scientific capacity in its 57 member countries. It funds PhD study and postdoctoral research in 17 fields, including biotechnology and genetic engineering, semiconductors, lasers and fibre optics, computer science, renewable energy, water resources, medicine and pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food technology, and space science, with technology management and innovation open to postdocs only. Scholars study at IsDB partner universities such as Cambridge, Oxford and Queen Mary University of London, or at universities in member countries ranked in the top 1,000, while postdoctoral research takes place at centres of excellence in member countries. The scholarship covers tuition, a monthly stipend, medical insurance, a thesis and scientific paper allowance, airfare and an installation allowance, plus a conference allowance for PhD scholars. Applicants must be 35 or younger for the PhD or 40 or younger for a postdoc, be attached to a scientific or research institution at home, hold a master's degree graded "Very Good", and have at least two years (PhD) or five years (postdoc) of relevant experience, a publication record and a research proposal endorsed by the nominating institution. Individual applications are not accepted: candidates must be nominated by a partner institution and endorsed by the IsDB Governor's office, and scholars sign a bond to return and serve their country for at least twice the length of the award. The 2026–2027 call closed on 31 January 2026, and the next call is expected between late 2026 and early 2027.
Related Opportunities You Might Like
Back to all opportunities
ChinaChinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2027–2028
A fully funded scholarship from the Chinese government, administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), for bachelor's, master's and PhD study at Chinese universities. It covers tuition, campus accommodation, a monthly stipend and comprehensive medical insurance. There are two routes: the bilateral route (Type A) through the Chinese embassy or the designated agency in your country (often the Ministry of Higher Education), or directly through designated Chinese universities (Type B). Bachelor's applicants now need a CSCA test score. The portal usually opens in November–December 2026; deadlines are set by each embassy or university and typically fall between late November 2026 and April 2027 (bilateral or embassy routes are often earliest). Bachelor's applicants must sit the CSCA test (December or January sessions) before applying. International airfare is not covered.
AustriaAustrian Government Ernst Mach Worldwide Research Grant
The Ernst Mach Grant worldwide is funded by the Austrian science ministry and administered by OeAD, Austria's agency for education and internationalisation. It allows postgraduates, doctoral candidates and postdocs studying or working outside Austria to carry out a short research project at an Austrian university. Eligible fields include natural and technical sciences, medicine and health sciences, agricultural sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts. The grant lasts one to nine months and pays EUR 1,300 a month, with a tuition fee waiver at the host university, and some grantees may receive a travel subsidy. OeAD helps arrange accommodation and health insurance, but grantees pay for both out of the grant. Applicants must be 35 or younger, have very good English or German, obtain written confirmation from an academic supervisor at an Austrian university and must not have studied or worked academically in Austria in the previous six months. Applications are submitted online via scholarships.at once a year.
AustraliaUniversity of Newcastle International Excellence Scholarship 2027
The University of Newcastle (Australia) awards the International Excellence Scholarship automatically to international full-fee-paying students admitted to an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programme in 2027. It provides AUD 6,000 a year as a tuition fee reduction (up to AUD 24,000 over a 4-year degree), with about 100 awards (indicative). Applicants must meet the published entry requirements and study on campus in Australia (standalone graduate certificates/diplomas, research degrees, online or offshore study, quota-limited programmes and students sponsored by an external body or Australia Awards are excluded). The amount is stated in the offer letter; no separate application is needed.