YTB and Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) Joint Scholarship 2026
The YTB and Islamic Development Bank Joint Scholarship occupies a specific niche among Turkish government funding: it’s not the general Türkiye Bursları programme most people search for, but a narrower award co-run with the Islamic Development Bank specifically for students from IsDB member countries and Muslim communities elsewhere in the world.
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If you’re finding this post now, the 2026 cycle has already closed — applications ran from 10 January to 20 February 2026, and that window shut months ago. This post walks through exactly what the scholarship covers, who qualifies, and — since acting now won’t get you into the closed round — what to do between now and whenever the next cycle opens so you’re not scrambling once it does.
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Inside the YTB and Islamic Development Bank Joint Scholarship
The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have run this joint programme since 2020, born out of a formal protocol between the two organisations. Its purpose is narrower than the flagship Türkiye Bursları scheme: it exists specifically to open Turkish universities to students from IsDB member states and to Muslim communities living in non-member countries, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
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One detail that separates this from most “fully funded” scholarships and rarely gets mentioned: postgraduate grantees are required to repay 50% of the monthly stipend they receive, paid back in small installments to the IsDB Education Trust Fund (LETF) after they graduate and find employment. This doesn’t make the scholarship less valuable, but it does mean the “fully funded” label needs a footnote for anyone applying at Master’s or PhD level.
Applications go through the same Türkiye Scholarships portal used for the main programme, with a specific selection made under the Joint Scholarship Programs section — this single checkbox decides which pool your application lands in.
YTB and Islamic Development Bank Joint Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | YTB and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Joint |
| Host Country ⇒ | Turkey |
| Study Level ⇒ | Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation support, health insurance, one-year Turkish language course, one-time round-trip airfare |
| Funded by ⇒ | Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | IsDB member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 2026 cycle closed 20 February 2026. Watch for the 2027 cycle — expect an opening announcement around January, based on this year’s pattern. |
What This Scholarship Actually Pays For
The award package is broader than most Turkish government scholarships, and each component works differently in practice:
- Full tuition fee coverage at your admitted university, for the entire duration of your programme
- A monthly stipend, paid throughout your studies to cover day-to-day living costs — the exact amount is set annually and varies by study level, so confirm the current figure once the next application cycle opens rather than relying on last year’s number
- Accommodation support, arranged through university or YTB-affiliated housing rather than a cash allowance you manage yourself
- Health insurance for the full length of your programme, covering standard medical care in Türkiye
- A one-year Turkish language course, provided before your degree programme starts if your Turkish isn’t already at the required level — this adds a year to your overall timeline, which applicants often don’t plan for
- A one-time round-trip airfare, covering your initial trip to Türkiye and your return trip after graduation, not ongoing travel
The detail most applicants miss: if you’re applying at postgraduate level, half of the monthly stipend you receive becomes repayable after graduation once you’re employed, paid in installments to the IsDB Education Trust Fund. Undergraduate applicants aren’t subject to this condition. Factor that into your decision if you’re weighing this against a scholarship with no repayment component at all.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must be an international student applying from outside Türkiye
- You must be a national of an IsDB member country, or belong to a Muslim community in a country that isn’t an IsDB member
- You must meet the standard academic requirements set by Türkiye Scholarships for your intended study level — these cover minimum grades and, for postgraduate applicants, prior degree classification
- You must be applying to a study programme that’s actually eligible under this scheme — not every field and university combination on the general Türkiye Bursları platform qualifies for the joint programme
- You must complete the online application accurately, since Türkiye Scholarships doesn’t allow edits after submission
- You must select “Yes” under the Joint Scholarship Programs section during the application — skipping this routes your application into the general pool instead, and you won’t be considered for this specific award
One disqualifier worth stating plainly: students already enrolled at a Turkish university are not eligible for this joint programme. It’s designed for admission plus scholarship together, not funding for an existing placement.
Required Documents
- Completed online application form through the Türkiye Scholarships portal
- Academic certificates and transcripts from your most recent level of education
- A valid passport or national ID document
- A recent passport-style photograph
- A statement of purpose explaining your study and career goals
- Academic reference letters
- Proof of any academic or extracurricular achievements relevant to your application
Two practical warnings: transcripts and certificates not already in English or Turkish typically need certified translation, and that process can take longer than expected in some countries — start it as soon as the portal opens rather than waiting until close to the deadline. Photograph specifications are stricter than a casual passport photo; check the exact size and background requirements on the portal before uploading, since a rejected photo upload can stall your submission at the last minute.
How the Application Process Works
- Visit the official Türkiye Scholarships website and create an online application account.
- Complete the application form with your personal, academic, and programme preference details.
- Select “Yes” under the Joint Scholarship Programs section specifically — this is what routes your application to the IsDB-funded pool rather than the general scholarship.
- Upload every required document listed above.
- Review your full application carefully before submitting — the platform does not allow post-submission edits.
- Submit before the stated deadline.
- Wait for official selection results, which Türkiye Scholarships communicates directly through the applicant’s portal account.
How to Prepare for the Next Application Cycle
Since the 2026 window has closed, the months ahead are for positioning yourself, not waiting idly:
- Start your document collection now. Certified translations of transcripts and certificates take the longest to arrange — get this moving well before any new deadline is announced.
- Draft your statement of purpose early. This is the one document that benefits most from multiple revisions rather than a rushed final draft, and postgraduate applicants especially should use it to show a clear return-on-education plan given the stipend repayment condition.
- Confirm your eligible study programme in advance. Not every course on the general Türkiye Bursları list qualifies for the joint IsDB scheme — check the current list once applications reopen rather than assuming last year’s eligible programmes still apply.
- Watch the Türkiye Scholarships announcements page directly, since this is where the platform posts opening dates first — competing blogs often lag by days or weeks.
- If you’re applying at postgraduate level, decide now whether the 50% stipend repayment condition fits your financial plans — this isn’t something to weigh for the first time after you’ve already been selected.
Application Deadline
The 2026 application window ran from 10 January to 20 February 2026 and has now closed. Based on the programme’s pattern over recent cycles, expect the 2027 round to open around January — Türkiye Scholarships has historically opened this joint programme in the first weeks of the year, though the exact date shifts annually. Check the official Türkiye Scholarships announcements page directly once the new year begins rather than relying on a fixed date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the YTB-IsDB Joint Scholarship fully funded?
Largely, yes — tuition, stipend, accommodation support, health insurance, language training, and flights are all covered. The one exception worth knowing: postgraduate grantees repay 50% of their monthly stipend after graduation and employment, so it isn’t a no-strings-attached award at that level.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes. Nigeria is recognised as a Muslim-community-eligible country under this scheme, so Nigerian applicants can apply provided they meet the academic and documentation requirements.
What happens if I already missed the 2026 deadline?
The cycle is closed for this year, but the programme runs annually. Use the months before the next round opens to prepare your documents, especially certified translations, and to strengthen your statement of purpose.
Do I apply to the university separately from the scholarship?
No. Selection under this joint programme includes both admission and funding together — there’s no separate university application process to run in parallel.
Is this the same as the general Türkiye Bursları scholarship?
No. It’s a distinct, jointly funded scheme with the Islamic Development Bank, open only to applicants who select the Joint Scholarship Programs option during the standard Türkiye Scholarships application. Selecting “No” routes you into the general pool instead.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of July 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official Türkiye Scholarships website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with YTB or the Islamic Development Bank.
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