The IsDB Scholarship Programme gives big help to students. IsDB means Islamic Development Bank. They pay for university fee so students can learn at university. This help is for bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, PhD, post-doctoral research, and job training. It is for students from IsDB member countries. It is also for Muslim students in countries not in IsDB.
This programme helps make applicants intelligent and strong. Intelligent students help their countries. They make better health, more food, good universities, clean water, new machines, computers, and protect the earth from bad changes.
The programme started in 1983. First it was for Muslim students in countries outside IsDB. Those students had little chance for good institute. Then in 1992 they added help for PhD and hard research in new technology. In 1998 they made master’s help for least developed member countries. In 2019 they added more for least developed countries with job skills training. Now it has many parts. It works with universities in Malaysia, Turkey, Morocco, and other places.
IsDB says good education is key for growth. They want students to study important things. After study, students go back home. They use knowledge to fix problems in their country. This makes life better for many people.
The help is special. It is like a kind loan with no interest. During degree, students get full pay. After degree and job, they give back money slowly. Money goes to local group in their country. That group helps new students. This way one help makes many helps.
More than 15,000 students got this. Many became doctors who help sick people. Many became engineers who build bridges and roads. Many became teachers who teach kids. Many work on clean energy and good farming. They make their countries proud.
Types of IsDB Scholarships
IsDB has many kinds. Each for different students and levels. Here is table:
| Type of Scholarship | Degree Level | Who Can Get It | Main Subjects | How Long | Extra Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Normal | Bachelor’s degree | From IsDB member countries | Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, engineering, farming, teaching, computers, ICT, biology tech | 4 to 6 years | Study in public schools. Must help community after |
| Undergraduate SPMC | Bachelor’s degree | Muslim students in non-member countries | Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, engineering, farming, teaching, computers, ICT, biology tech | 4 years | Study in home country school. Help people in community |
| IsDB-ISFD for Least developed Countries | Bachelor’s or job training (TVET) | From very least developed member countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Yemen, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda | Medicine, engineering, farming, teaching, computers, job skills like machines, crafts, social things | 3 to 4 years | For students with very little money. Focus on basic skills and development |
| Master of Science (M.Sc.) | Master’s degree | Mostly from least developed member countries | Smart computers (AI), biology tech, weather change, green energy, renewable things, new science | 2 years | Good for research. Prepares for PhD |
| Merit for High Technology (MSP) | PhD and after PhD research | From all IsDB member countries | Hard science, new technology, applied research, innovation | PhD 3 years, after PhD 6 to 12 months | Need strong research plan and papers |
| Joint Scholarships with Partners | Any level | Depends on partner | Medicine, engineering, farming, tech, other SDG things | Different times | Work with schools in Turkey, Malaysia, other countries |
Subjects must match big world goals (SDGs). Examples:
- Good health and medicine for all
- No hungry people – better farming
- Good teaching for every child
- Clean water and good toilets
- Cheap clean energy like sun and wind
- Stop bad weather change
- Good jobs and strong economy
Here are the booklets with full subject lists and partner universities/Institutes.
Who Can Get It? Eligibility Criteria
Rules change a little by type. But main rules are same.
Rules for all:
- Be from IsDB member country or Muslim in other country.
- Have good school marks.
- Need money help (many for poor families).
- Be healthy (doctor may check later).
- No other big scholarship at same time.
- Promise to go back home after study.
- Promise to help community and country.
- Agree to give back money later.
Age and marks rules (from past cycles):
- Bachelor’s: Age up to about 24 when apply. High school finish with good marks (around 70% or more in science subjects).
- Master’s: Age up to about 30. Bachelor’s degree with very good marks.
- PhD: Age up to about 35. Master’s degree with research or papers.
- After PhD: Age up to about 40. PhD finish with good research.
Language: Show you can speak school language (English, French, Arabic if needed).
No IsDB workers or their close family (mother, father, brother, sister, children) can apply.
What You Get – Benefits Full List
Scholarship pays many things. You study without money worry.
What it pays:
- Full school fees – direct to school.
- Monthly money – for food, house, travel in city, living. Amount fits country cost (often good).
- Health insurance – doctor, hospital free.
- Plane ticket economy – go to study place and back home (if abroad).
- Start money – for setup like room things.
- Books and clothes money – once a year (like 3 months stipend).
- Research money – for master’s, PhD thesis or papers.
- Meeting help – for conferences in some types.
What it does not pay:
- Visa or stay paper fees.
- Family come or family cost.
- Extra classes not in degree.
- Computer or special tools.
- Fun trips or extra travel.
Give back: After finish and job (about 6 months), pay small monthly. No interest. Goes to local IsDB trust in country. Trust helps new students.
This makes programme last long.
How to Apply – Easy Steps
Apply online only. No fee.
Steps:
- Check IsDB site (www.isdb.org/scholarships) for new apply time (usually December open).
- Go to portal isdbscholarships.smartsimple.com.
- Make account with good email.
- Choose type (bachelor, master, etc.).
- Fill form – name, age, marks, family, why you want scholarship.
- Upload papers: marks sheets, passport copy, doctor health paper, 2-3 teacher letters, study plan (for master/PhD).
- Check all. Send before deadline.
Papers needed most:
- School certificates and marks.
- Passport or ID.
- Health certificate.
- Teacher letters (good words about you).
- Your story – why need, how help people after.
- Language proof if needed.
They read papers. Sometimes interview. Then tell winners.
Use only official site. No fake calls or people.
History and Why Special
IsDB bank started 1975. It helps Muslim countries with projects like hospitals, schools, roads. In 1983 they see students need school help. So scholarship began.
They added more types over years. Least developed countries needed extra. Now follow plan 2023-2025. Plan says smart people most important. Scholarships part of it.
Subjects match SDGs – 17 big world goals. Like end poor, good health, clean planet.
Students join alumni after. Alumni old students. They meet, share, do good work like teach kids or help clinics.
Why special:
- Pays everything.
- No interest give back.
- Helps poor smart students.
- Focus real needs (health, food, tech).
- Students go home make big change.
- Many success – doctors, engineers, leaders.
Always check official IsDB site for new rules and booklets.