The Government of Azerbaijan has officially opened applications for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program 2026/2027, a fully funded scholarship designed to attract talented international students to Azerbaijani universities. A total of 100 grants are awarded each year, covering Bachelor’s, Master’s, General Medicine, Medical Residency, and PhD programs.
Selected recipients benefit from full tuition coverage, a monthly allowance of 800 AZN (approximately 470 USD), annual round-trip international flights, medical insurance, and visa support — effectively removing all financial barriers for the entire duration of study.
The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant is open to citizens of OIC member states, Non-Aligned Movement countries, Small Island Developing States, and nations with cultural or historical ties to Azerbaijan. Applicants must meet age and GPA requirements and hold valid language proficiency credentials.
The selection follows a two-stage process: candidates are first nominated by their home country’s authorities (Stage 1) then complete an online application on Azerbaijan’s official SIACAS portal (Stage 2). The Stage 1 deadline is April 15, 2026 (6:00 PM Baku time).
Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, hosts a growing higher education sector with programs offered in English, Russian, Turkish, and Azerbaijani. The country combines affordable living costs with a strategic geographic position, making it an increasingly attractive destination for international doctoral and postgraduate researchers.
Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Eligible Study Programs
The Heydar Aliyev Grant covers full-time enrollment across the following academic levels at participating Azerbaijani universities:
- Preparatory courses (6 months to 1 year)
- Bachelor’s program (4–5 years)
- General Medicine program (5–6 years)
- Master’s program (1.5–2 years)
- Medical Residency program (2–5 years)
- Doctoral (PhD) program (3 years)
Applicants may select up to 3 specialties across different institutions during the application process.
Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Financial Benefits
The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant is a 100% fully funded scholarship. Recipients receive the following for the entire duration of their program:
- Full tuition fees, including language preparatory courses where applicable
- Monthly allowance: 800 AZN (~470 USD) for accommodation, living expenses, and study materials — paid for 10 months per academic year
- International flights: one economy-class round-trip ticket per year
- Medical insurance: 200 AZN annual allowance
- Visa and registration: single-entry visa and temporary residence permit for each academic year
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Heydar Aliyev Scholarship 2026/2027, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country: OIC member state, Non-Aligned Movement member, Small Island Developing State, or a country with recognized cultural or historical ties to Azerbaijan
- Not hold Azerbaijani citizenship (current or former)
- Meet the age requirements as of September 15, 2026:
- Under 35 for Bachelor’s and General Medicine
- Under 40 for Master’s and Medical Residency
- Under 45 for PhD
- Hold a minimum GPA of 70/100 (or equivalent 7/10) from previous studies
- Meet language proficiency requirements: IELTS 5.0 or above for English-taught programs, or equivalent certification for Russian, Turkish, or Azerbaijani-taught programs
How to Apply for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant
The application process consists of two stages:
Stage 1 — Nomination (February 16 – April 15, 2026) : Applicants submit their documents to the relevant government authority, ministry, or Azerbaijani embassy in their home country. Direct online applications are not accepted at this stage — candidates must be formally nominated by their country’s designated body.
Stage 2 — Online Registration (May 18 – June 1, 2026) : Only nominated candidates proceed to Stage 2. They register on the official SIACAS portal (portal.edu.az) and select the “Heydar Aliyev – International Education Grant” channel to complete their application.
Application Calendar
- February 16 – April 15, 2026: Stage 1 — document submission to home country authorities (deadline: 6:00 PM Baku time)
- April 16 – May 16, 2026: Review by nominating authorities
- May 18 – June 1, 2026: Stage 2 — online registration on SIACAS portal (deadline: 6:00 PM Baku time)
- June 1 – July 1, 2026: Final evaluation
- July 1 – August 1, 2026: Results announced
- September 15, 2026: Academic year begins
- September 30, 2026: Latest arrival date in Azerbaijan
Required Documents
The following documents must be submitted in both Stage 1 and Stage 2:
- Completed Nomination Form
- Diplomas and academic transcripts (with GPA proof)
- Medical certificate, including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B & C test results (issued within the last 3 months)
- Valid passport copy
- CV or resume
- Language proficiency certificate
- Motivation letter
- Awards and certificates (if applicable)
All documents must be legible, notarized where required, and submitted in English, Russian, Turkish, or Azerbaijani. Documents in other languages must include a certified English translation. Files should be uploaded in PDF format.
Contact Information
For inquiries about the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan: scholars@mfa.gov.az
- Ministry of Science and Education: info@studyinazerbaijan.edu.az
- SIACAS portal technical support: siacas.support@tsii.edu.az
Applicants should also contact their local Azerbaijani embassy or the relevant ministry in their home country for specific nomination guidance.
Official website: studyinazerbaijan.edu.az/financial-support
Application portal (Stage 2): portal.edu.az
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