Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant, funded by the Government of Azerbaijan, offers a fully funded scholarship program for international students wishing to pursue higher education in Azerbaijan. Established in memory of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of Azerbaijan, this scholarship supports foreign nationals to study at leading Azerbaijani universities across various academic levels—from preparatory courses to doctoral programs.
Annually, 100 international students from eligible countries are selected through a competitive nomination-based process. Eligible applicants must be from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Non-Aligned Movement, Small Island Developing States, or countries with close cultural, ethnic, or historical ties to Azerbaijan.
Scholarship Benefits
Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant provides comprehensive financial support to selected students. Benefits include:
- Tuition Fees: Full coverage of tuition and language preparatory courses.
- International Flights: Economy-class round-trip flight to and from Baku, Azerbaijan once per academic year.
- Monthly Stipend: A monthly allowance of 800 AZN (approx. 470 USD) for living expenses, accommodation, and educational materials (paid for 10 months each academic year).
- Medical Insurance: 200 AZN (approx. 117 USD) annually for healthcare and medication.
- Visa & Registration: Single-entry visa and temporary residence permit for the duration of each academic year.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant, applicants must:
- Citizenship: Applicants must be nationals of an eligible country. Citizens or former citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan are not eligible.
- Age Limit: Applicants for undergraduate and general medicine programs must be under 35 years old as of September 15, 2025. For graduate and medical residency programs, applicants must be under 40 years old. For doctoral programs, the age limit is 45 years.
- Academic Performance: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 70% or its equivalent in their previous studies.
- Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate language proficiency according to the medium of instruction. For programs taught in English, undergraduate applicants must have at least IELTS 5 or TOEFL 40, and postgraduate applicants must have at least IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 50. Alternatively, previous education must have been in the intended language of study.
- Health Status: Applicants must provide a valid medical certificate confirming they are in good health and free from HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
- Application Nomination: Applicants must be officially nominated by the appropriate government authority (such as a Ministry or Embassy) in their home country.
Eligible Countries
Citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant:
- Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
- Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement
- Small Island Developing States
- Countries with close cultural, ethnic, or historical ties to Azerbaijan
Application Process
Applying for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant involves a two-stage nomination and registration process. Here’s how to apply:
- Check Eligibility: Before applying, make sure you meet all eligibility criteria, including age limits, academic qualifications, and language proficiency requirements.
- Obtain Nomination: Submit your application to the appropriate government authority in your home country (such as a Ministry of Education or Embassy). This is the first stage of the process and must be completed between March 15 and May 15, 2025.
- Wait for Official Nomination: If your application is successful at the national level, your government will officially nominate you for the scholarship.
- Register on SIACAS: Nominated applicants will proceed to the second stage and must complete the online registration through the Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service (SIACAS) at portal.edu.az between June 1 and June 15, 2025.
- Select Study Programs: When applying on the SIACAS platform, you must select the “Heydar Aliyev – International Education Grant” as your admission channel. You can apply for up to three different programs at different Azerbaijani universities.
- Submit Required Documents: Upload all required documents in PDF format through the SIACAS portal before the deadline. Only complete and officially nominated applications will be considered.
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Required Documents
When applying for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant, applicants must prepare and submit the following documents as part of their application:
- Nomination Form: A completed nomination form issued and endorsed by the relevant government authority in your home country. This is required for the first stage of the application process.
- Academic Transcripts and Diplomas: Certified copies of your academic records from prior high school or higher education institutions. Your academic performance must show a minimum GPA of 70% or equivalent.
- Medical Certificate: A valid medical certificate, including test results for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B/C. The certificate must confirm that you are in good health for travel and study, and should be dated no more than three months before submission.
- Passport Copy: A scanned copy of your valid passport showing your personal identification details.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A well-structured CV or résumé detailing your educational background, academic achievements, and any relevant work or research experience.
- Proof of Language Proficiency:
- If applying to programs taught in English: IELTS (minimum score of 5 for undergraduates, 5.5 for postgraduates) or TOEFL (minimum 40 for undergraduates, 50 for postgraduates), or proof that your previous education was in English.
- If applying to programs in Russian or Turkish: proof of language proficiency or evidence that your previous education was in that language.
- If applying to programs in Azerbaijani: you must provide proof of proficiency in English, Russian, or Turkish.
- Motivation Letter: A well-written letter outlining your motivation for studying in Azerbaijan, your academic goals, and how the program aligns with your future aspirations.
- Awards and Certificates (if applicable): Copies of any local or international awards, honors, or certificates that support your academic or extracurricular achievements.
- Document Format and Language:
- All documents must be legible, clear, and submitted in PDF format.
- Documents must be in Azerbaijani, Turkish, English, or Russian. If issued in another language, they must be accompanied by a notarized translation into English.
Selection Process
The selection process for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant is highly competitive and follows a multi-stage evaluation:
- Nomination by Government Authorities: Applications are first reviewed by the relevant government authority in the applicant’s country (such as a Ministry or Embassy). Only nominated candidates will proceed to the next stage.
- Registration and Review on SIACAS: Nominated applicants must register and submit all documents on the Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service (SIACAS) platform between June 1 and June 15, 2025. Applications are then reviewed by the relevant authorities in Azerbaijan.
- Evaluation by Selection Committee: All eligible applications are assessed by the Selection Committee of the Government of Azerbaijan. The Committee reviews academic performance, motivation, and compliance with eligibility criteria.
- Final Decision: Selected candidates will be notified of the outcome between July 16 and July 31, 2025. Official selection does not become final until the applicant confirms participation through the SIACAS platform and submits required documentation to the admitting university.
Scholarship Duration
The duration of the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant depends on the academic level of the chosen program. The scholarship will cover the full length of the academic program as approved by the relevant higher education institution in Azerbaijan.
For Bachelor’s programs, the scholarship covers a study period of 4 to 5 years, depending on the field of study.
For General Medicine programs, the duration ranges from 5 to 6 years.
For Master’s programs, the scholarship provides support for 1.5 to 2 years.
For Medical Residency programs, the duration of support ranges from 2 to 5 years. For Doctoral (PhD) programs, students will receive funding for a period of 3 years.
For Preparatory courses, the scholarship covers 6 months to 1 year of study, depending on the requirements of the admitting institution.
Application Deadline
The application process for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant 2025–2026 is divided into two key stages:
- First Stage: Submission of applications to relevant authorities in the applicant’s country must be completed between March 15 and May 15, 2025.
- Second Stage: Nominated applicants must complete their online registration on the SIACAS platform between June 1 and June 15, 2025.
