Islamic Development Bank opens 2026 scholarship applications

The Jeddah based Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has opened applications for its 2026–2027 Scholarship programme, offering students from Member Countries (MCs) and Muslim communities in non-Member Countries (non-MCs) the opportunity to pursue higher education in critical fields.

The scholarship programme is designed to empower students with leadership skills, technical expertise, and research capacity to address social, economic, and technological challenges.

The fully funded programme covers undergraduate, master’s, Ph.D., and post-doctoral programmes. The Programme is open for academically meritorious students with a strong desire to engage in social services and community development after graduation.

“This programme focuses on supporting academically strong, financially needy students from eligible Muslim communities in non-member countries to pursue undergraduate/first-degree studies,” said a statement from the institution.

“Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to community development,” the statement added.

Kenya is considered among non-IsDB member countries with the scholarship open to eligible Muslim candidates.

The IsDB Scholarship is a comprehensive program covering various expenses, including full tuition fees, monthly stipends, health coverage, and travel allowances. Allowances for books, clothing, and thesis preparation are also provided.

This scholarship is structured as an interest-free loan (Qardh Hasan). Recipients are required to repay the fund after graduation and gainful employment, and the repaid fund will be used to provide scholarships to other students to complement the IsDB Programme and to ensure its continuity in the long run.

Detailed information and the application portal are available on the official IsDB Scholarships portal https://www.isdb.org/scholarships

The deadline for the application is January 31, 2026.