The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is currently accepting applications for its 2023/2024 academic scholarship program. This program features scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Muslim communities worldwide.
If you belong to any Muslim community worldwide, you can apply for the IsDB scholarship, whether your country is a member or not. However, the IsDB offers various scholarship programs for a variety of students. To know which one is designed for you, keep reading this article.
There are four different scholarship programs offered by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), including;
- IsDB Scholarship Program for Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries (SPMC)
- IsDB Master of Science Scholarship Program (M. Sc.)
- IsDB Merit Scholarship Program for High Technology (MSP)
- IsDB-ISFD Scholarship Program
IsDB Scholarship Program for Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries (SPMC)
The SPMC was one of the first scholarship programs of the IsD. It aimed at enabling academically deserving and indigent young Muslim students from Muslim communities in non-MCs to undertake undergraduate studies in the following disciplines;
- Medicine and Surgery
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Agriculture; and other related fields in their countries or the IsDB MCs.
Eligibility Requirements
Students who wish to apply for the IsDB SPMC must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be in urgent need of financial assistance, without which they may have to stop their education
- Not more than 24 years of age
- Must not be an IsDB staff member or Executive director nor related to anyone in such position
- Must have completed senior secondary education (or its equivalent of approximately 12 years of education) with good grades in major science subjects
- Show proof of proficiency in any language, preferably English
- Must have provided a translated copy of all documents into English or French, if they are initially in other languages
- Be medically fit and willing to undergo medical examination after selection
- Residing in one’s country of origin and not residing in another country
- Not currently receiving any other scholarships at the time of application and throughout the studies
Note: Applicants who have secured admission in one of the disciplines mentioned earlier at a recognized college or university in their home country may have a higher advantage.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship program covers the following items:
- Tuition fees, payable to the universities directly
- Monthly allowance adjusted to cover the expenses associated with living in the country of study
- Once a year, books and clothing allowance are provided, equivalent to three times the monthly stipend amount
- Cost of medical treatment (either at the university or local state hospital)
IsDB Master of Science Scholarship Program (M.Sc.)
In 1998, the IsDB launched the M.Sc. Scholarship Program to aid 20 IsDB LDMCs in developing their human capital, particularly science and technology. These fields are crucial and essential for the LDMCs’ overall development.
The fields of study under this program include;
- Science
- Engineering
- Technology
- Medicine/Medical Sciences
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants who wish to apply for the IsDB M.Sc. program must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a citizen of any of the 20 LDMCs
- Must not exceed 30 years at the closing date of application
- Possess a B.Sc., or equivalent degree, in science and technology
- Be above average in academic ability
- Must be nominated by scientific/academic/research institutions of their countries
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants have access to the following items;
- Tuition fees, payable to the universities directly
- Monthly allowance adjusted to cover the expenses associated with living in the country of study
- Cost of medical treatment (either at the university or local state hospital)
- Thesis/scientific papers preparation
- A return air ticket and installation allowance for scholars studying overseas
Merit Scholarship Program for High Technology (MSP) for IsDB Member Countries
The Merit Scholarship Program was launched in 1998 and aimed at supporting 20 IsDB LDMCs (Least Developed Member Countries. This program was designed to enhance the human capital in these regions, focusing on science and technology.
The program covers studies and research at two main levels;
- Three-year or 36 months Ph.D. study; and
- 6-12 months Post Doctoral research
For general guidance, the program covers the following disciplines;
- Agriculture/Food Technology
- Chemical Engineering/Material Sciences
- Computer Science
- Conductors/Semi-Conductors
- Electronics/Micro Electronics/Telecommunication
- Environmental Preservation Technology
- Genetic Engineering/Biotechnology
- Hydrology/Water Resources
- Laser and Fibre Optics
- Medicine/Pharmaceutical
- Metallurgy
- Nuclear Science/Engineering
- Polymer Science
- Renewable Energy/Fuel Technology
- Space Science/Technology
- System Engineering
- Technology Management and Innovation
Eligibility Requirements
Students who wish to apply for the MSP must meet the following eligibility criteria;
- Be up to 35 years of age (For Ph. D.); or 40 years of age (For post-doctoral research.
- Have an M.Sc. (for Ph.D. study) or Ph.D. (for post-doctoral research) in a field of science/technology listed under the program
- Have an above-average academic portfolio.
- Must have a good command of the language of the institution of study and the ability to conduct scientific work in it
- Have a minimum work and/or research experience of two years for Ph.D. study or five years for post-doctoral research.
- Possess a portfolio of research/publications in the same field
- Have a proposed field of study and/or research in one of the disciplines listed earlier
- Also, applicants who already have a post-doctoral experience outside their countries within the past two years are not eligible
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship covers the following items;
- Tuition fees, payable to the universities directly
- Monthly allowance adjusted to cover the expenses associated with living in the country of study
- Cost of medical treatment (either at the university or local state hospital)
- Thesis/scientific papers preparation
- Conference allowance for Ph.D. scholars
- A return air ticket and installation allowance for scholars studying overseas
ISDB-ISFD Scholarship Program
IsDB and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD) jointly launched the IsDB-ISFD Programme in 2019. The program’s primary objective is to actively reduce poverty in 21 Least Developed IsDB Member Countries (LDMCs).
Interested candidates may only apply in the following disciplines;
- Mechanical Manufacturing Methods
- Mechatronics
- Air Conditioning
- Arts and Crafts
- Automation and Industrial Instrumentation
- Automotive Maintenance and Repair
- Biomedical Equipment Maintenance
- Buildings and Public Works
- Business and IT
- Business Management
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Clothing Industries Production
- Design and Innovation in the Apparel Industry
- Design and Manufacture of Moulds and Tools
- Design Techniques for the Electronic Industry
- Development of Smart and Informative Industrial Systems
- Diagnostics and Embedded Electronics
- Digital Infrastructure Development
- Early Childhood Educator
- Electricity and Electronics
- Electromechanics of Automated Systems
- Food Industry
- Furniture Study and Design
- General Mechanics
- Hygiene and Quality
- Industrial Maintenance
- Infrastructure and Networks
- International Trade
- Leather and Footwear
- Logistics Operations
- Maintenance of Equipment for the Plastics Industry
- Marketing and Multimedia
- Mechanism and Industrial Media
- Mechatronics Maintenance
- Media and Communication
- Metal Construction
- Miscellaneous Services and Industries
- Office Design
- Plastic Industry
- Production Technologies for the Electronic Industry
- Quality Control in the Food Industry
- Quality in the Garment Industry
- Topographical Survey
- Technician in Commerce
- Textiles and Clothing
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Transport Operations
- Vehicle transport and Maintenance
Application criteria and scholarship benefits for the IsDB-ISFD scholarship program are the same as that of the IsDB SPMC.
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