Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program | Fully Funded

There’s something worth knowing before anything else about this one: it isn’t a scholarship with years of established precedent behind it. The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program was created by presidential decree in July 2023, but 2026/2027 marks its actual inaugural academic year — the first cohort of 100 students this programme has ever selected.

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Named in honour of Azerbaijan’s National Leader, it’s designed to run annually for five years, funding students at every level from preparatory courses through to doctoral and medical study, across a genuinely wide eligibility net spanning OIC member states, the Non-Aligned Movement, Small Island Developing States, and countries with cultural or historical ties to Azerbaijan.

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Stage 1 nominations closed 15 April 2026, and Stage 2 registration closed 1 June — with final results typically announced between mid and late July, meaning this cycle’s outcomes are likely being communicated right around now. This guide covers the full two-stage selection process, exactly what the funding covers, the medical documentation requirement that catches applicants off guard, and what to prepare for what should be the second-ever cycle of this scholarship.

About the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant

Jointly run by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science and Education, this scholarship exists to strengthen Azerbaijan’s international standing through education, bringing foreign students into the country’s higher education system while building lasting ties between Azerbaijan and the nations it partners with.

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The programme funds study across 435 officially published eligible programmes, spanning preparatory language courses, Bachelor’s degrees, General Medicine, Master’s degrees, Medical Residency, and Doctoral study, at accredited public and recognised private institutions across Azerbaijan. With 100 scholarships awarded each year for five consecutive years starting this cycle, the programme represents a genuinely substantial, sustained commitment rather than a one-off initiative.

Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program Summary

Scholarship Name ⇒	Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program
Host Country ⇒	Azerbaijan
Study Level ⇒	Undergraduate,  Master’s and PhD
Benefits ⇒	Fully Funded
Funded by ⇒	Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan
Eligible Countries ⇒	OIC member states, NAM member states, Small Island Developing States, and countries with cultural/historical ties to Azerbaijan
Application Deadline ⇒	Stage 1 (nomination): 16 February – 15 April 2026, 6:00 pm Baku time, now closed. Stage 2 (SIACAS registration): 18 May – 1 June 2026, also now closed. Final results typically announced mid-to-late July

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What Makes You Eligible for This Scholarship

• You need citizenship of an eligible country — an OIC member state, a Non-Aligned Movement member state, a Small Island Developing State, or a country sharing cultural, ethnic, or historical ties with Azerbaijan
• You cannot be a current or former citizen of Azerbaijan
• Age limits, calculated as of 15 September 2026: under 35 for Undergraduate or General Medicine applicants, under 40 for Graduate or Medical Residency applicants, and under 45 for Doctoral applicants
• You need a previous academic GPA of at least 70 out of 100, or its recognised equivalent
• For English-taught programmes: IELTS 5.0 (undergraduate) or 5.5 (postgraduate), or TOEFL 40 (undergraduate)/50 (postgraduate)
• For programmes taught in other languages: proof of proficiency in that language, or evidence of prior study conducted in it

What Study Levels and Programmes Are Available

• Bachelor’s Programs, running 4 to 5 years
• General Medicine, running 5 to 6 years
• Master’s Programs, running 1.5 to 2 years
• Medical Residency, running 2 to 5 years
• Doctoral (PhD) Programs, running 3 years

Azerbaijani authorities have published an official list of 435 specific eligible study programmes spanning all these levels — worth reviewing directly rather than assuming any programme at any Azerbaijani institution automatically qualifies.

What This Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program Covers

• Full tuition coverage, including preparatory language training where needed
• One annual round-trip international flight, between your home country and Azerbaijan
• A monthly stipend of 800 AZN (approximately $470), paid for 10 months each year, excluding July and August, covering accommodation, daily expenses, and study materials
• A medical insurance allowance of 200 AZN (approximately $117) per year
• A single-entry visa and residence permit, arranged as part of the scholarship

All benefits apply strictly for the duration of your academic programme and don’t extend beyond it.

What Documents You Need to Prepare

All application materials must meet rigorous verification standards prior to submission. Documents must be submitted in English, Azerbaijani, Turkish, or Russian. Any document issued in another language must be accompanied by a certified, notarized English or Azerbaijani translation.

1. Official Stage 1 Nomination Form

• Purpose: Serves as your primary registration document for national endorsement.
• Guidelines: Must be fully completed, signed, and submitted directly to your home country’s designated nominating authority during Stage 1.

2. Academic Transcripts and Diplomas

• Requirements: Certified copies of previous diplomas/graduation certificates and complete academic transcripts detailing all completed modules and grades.
• Academic Threshold: Candidates must possess a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) or academic score of at least 70% (or 70 on a 100-point scale / equivalent) from their previous level of education.

3. Medical Certificate (Including Required Blood Tests)

• Validity Constraint: Must be issued and dated no more than three months prior to application submission.
• Mandatory Screenings: The certificate must explicitly state negative test results for:
  • HIV / AIDS
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • General physical fitness for study abroad.

4. Valid International Passport

• Guidelines: A clear color scan of your passport’s biographical information page. The passport must be valid for at least 18 months beyond your intended arrival in Azerbaijan.

5. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Professional Résumé

• Formatting: A structured 1–2 page professional document outlining your educational trajectory, technical competencies, work history, research experience, and leadership activities.

6. Proof of Language Proficiency

• For English-Taught Tracks: Minimum score requirements include IELTS 5.0 / TOEFL 40 for undergraduate studies, or IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 50 for postgraduate studies. Alternatively, an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate confirming prior studies were conducted in English is accepted.
• For Turkish, Russian, or Azerbaijani Tracks: Proof of language proficiency or confirmation that previous degree studies were conducted in the respective language.

7. Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter

• Focus: A concise personal essay (500–800 words) detailing your academic trajectory, career goals, reasons for choosing Azerbaijan, and how your studies align with your home country’s development goals.

8. Supporting Evidence of Merit & Awards (Optional)

• Examples: Certificates for local or international academic honors, research publications, competition awards, or community leadership records.

What the Two-Stage Application Process Requires

The selection framework operates via a strict two-tier protocol. Applicants cannot proceed to online university registration without winning an official national endorsement in Stage 1.

Stage 1 — National Government Nomination

• Primary Objective: To secure an official nomination spot from your home country’s designated government body. Edusanjal
• How to Execute:
  1. Identify the specific government ministry (e.g., Ministry of Education, Higher Education Commission) or Azerbaijani Diplomatic Mission (Embassy/Consulate) responsible for handling Heydar Aliyev Grant nominations in your country. Edusanjal
  2. Submit your physical or digital document dossier directly to that nominating authority according to their national submission guidelines.
  3. Note: Direct individual applications to the Azerbaijani government or universities during Stage 1 are strictly rejected.
• Official Timeline: February 16 through April 15, 2026 (6:00 PM Baku Time). (Closed for the current cycle). Edusanjal

Stage 2 — Online SIACAS Portal Registration

• Primary Objective: Program allocation and university matching for officially nominated candidates. Scholarships Central
• How to Execute:
  1. Candidates nominated in Stage 1 receive official instructions to log into Azerbaijan’s Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service (SIACAS) portal at portal.edu.az. Edusanjal
  2. Create a user account and select the “Heydar Aliyev – International Education Grant” admission channel. Edusanjal
  3. Select up to three (3) academic specializations across different participating higher education institutions in Azerbaijan. Edusanjal
  4. Track application review, interview schedules, and university placement offers through your SIACAS dashboard. Scholarships Central
• Official Timeline: May 18 (12:00 PM) through June 1, 2026 (6:00 PM Baku Time). (Closed for the current cycle). Edusanjal

Technical Support Contacts

If nominated candidates experience technical errors, portal lockouts, or document upload glitches during the SIACAS registration phase, they must report the issue directly to the official technical support team:

• Official Support Email: [email protected] Edusanjal
• Reporting Protocol: Include a brief written explanation of the error, your full name, passport number, national nomination reference, and full-screen screenshots showing the system glitch.

Application Timeline

• Stage 1 nomination window: 16 February – 15 April 2026, 6:00 pm Baku time — now closed
• Review by nominating authorities: 16 April – 16 May 2026
• Stage 2 SIACAS registration: 18 May 12:00 pm – 1 June 2026, 6:00 pm Baku time — now closed
• Final results: Typically announced between mid and late July — this may be happening right around now, so check your SIACAS account and your nominating authority’s communications directly if you applied
• Next expected cycle: Since this is the programme’s inaugural year within a five-year commitment, expect the 2027/2028 cycle to follow a broadly similar timeline, with nomination opening around February and SIACAS registration around May — though exact dates should be confirmed on official channels as the period approaches, since this is still a new programme finding its annual rhythm

What to Do Before the Next Cycle Opens

• Identify your home country’s designated nominating authority now, well ahead of the next cycle, since Stage 1 requires formal government or embassy nomination and this step alone can determine whether you reach Stage 2 at all
• Arrange your medical testing, including HIV and Hepatitis B/C results, with careful timing in mind, since certificates need to be dated within three months of submission
• Secure your language proficiency evidence early, whether through IELTS, TOEFL, or documentation of prior study in your intended language of instruction
• Review the official list of 435 eligible study programmes directly, rather than assuming a specific Azerbaijani university programme automatically qualifies
• If you applied this cycle and haven’t heard back, check your SIACAS account directly and reach out to your nominating authority, given the mid-to-late July results window

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this scholarship’s application window still open?

No. Stage 1 nomination closed 15 April 2026, and Stage 2 SIACAS registration closed 1 June 2026. Final results are typically announced mid-to-late July, so outcomes may be arriving for applicants right around now.

Is this the first year this scholarship has run?

Yes. Though established by presidential decree in July 2023, 2026/2027 is the programme’s first actual academic year of operation, with this being its inaugural cohort.

Can former citizens of Azerbaijan apply?

No. Current and former citizens of Azerbaijan are explicitly excluded from this scholarship.

Do I apply directly online, or through my government?

Both, in sequence. Stage 1 requires nomination through your home country’s ministry, embassy, or designated authority — direct online applications aren’t accepted at this first stage. Only nominated candidates proceed to Stage 2’s online SIACAS registration.

Is there a fee to apply?

No. There is no application fee for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program at any stage.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details and figures in this post are verified from official Azerbaijani government sources as of July 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official Study in Azerbaijan website or through your home country’s designated nominating authority. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the Government of Azerbaijan.

Official Application Portal