Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant 2026
Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Scholarship Overview — What Is the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant?

The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant 2026 is Azerbaijan's flagship fully funded government scholarship for international students, launched under a presidential decree on July 8, 2023, and administered jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Named in honour of Heydar Aliyev — the National Leader of Azerbaijan who served as President from 1993 to 2003 — the programme is designed to attract talented global students to Azerbaijani higher education while strengthening diplomatic, cultural, and educational ties with partner nations.

Formerly known as the Scholarship of the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the programme was renamed and substantially expanded beginning with the 2024–2025 academic year. It now awards 100 fully funded scholarships per year for five years starting from the 2026–2027 cycle — making it the most ambitious international student support initiative Azerbaijan has ever launched.

A defining feature that sets this scholarship apart from many European counterparts: the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant uses a government-to-government nomination model. International students do not apply directly to Azerbaijan. Instead, candidates must first be nominated by the relevant national authority in their home country — typically the Ministry of Education, Higher Education Commission, or the Azerbaijani Embassy — before completing their application on the official SIACAS platform (Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service at portal.edu.az). This two-stage structure means your relationship with your home country's education authorities is the single most critical factor in your application journey.

With only 100 awards per year open to students from 152 eligible countries, the competition is intense — but the scholarship is also one of the most generous in the Caucasus and Central Asian region. For students from OIC member states, African nations, South Asia, and the Pacific, it represents a rare opportunity to earn a fully-funded degree at an emerging European-Asian academic hub without paying a single dollar for tuition, accommodation, or travel.

Exact Financial Package — What Does the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Cover?

Here is every benefit of the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant for international students, with exact current figures verified from official sources:

Who Can Apply — Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Eligibility for International Students

1. Nationality — Which 152 Countries Are Eligible?

The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant is open to citizens of 152 eligible countries across four categories: member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and countries that share historical or cultural ties with Azerbaijan. The full official list is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan on the SIACAS platform.

Key eligible regions include Africa (all 54 AU member states are predominantly included), South and Southeast Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and others), Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan), the Middle East, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands. European OIC/NAM members such as Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Kosovo are also eligible. The scholarship explicitly excludes Azerbaijani nationals and former Azerbaijani citizens regardless of their current citizenship.

2. Age Requirements

• Bachelor's & General Medicine: Must be under 35 years old as of September 15 of the application year.
• Master's & Medical Residency: Must be under 40 years old as of September 15 of the application year.
• PhD/Doctorate: Must be under 45 years old as of September 15 of the application year.

3. Academic Requirements

• For Bachelor's: Completed secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent). GPA must be at least 70/100 (or the equivalent in your national grading system) in your most recent qualification.
• For Master's: A completed Bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate qualification with a minimum GPA of 70/100.
• For PhD: A completed Master's degree (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 70/100. A clear research proposal aligned with your target Azerbaijani institution is strongly recommended.
• For General Medicine: Strong secondary education results with a background in biology and chemistry. Medical programmes are highly competitive and typically require higher academic standing than the minimum GPA threshold.
• All diplomas and transcripts must be officially authenticated and apostilled (or notarised by the Azerbaijani Embassy if your country does not use the Hague Convention apostille system).

4. Language Requirements

Language requirements depend on the language of instruction of your chosen programme. Azerbaijan's universities offer programmes in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, and Turkish:

• English-taught programmes: IELTS 5.0 minimum for undergraduate; IELTS 5.5 minimum for postgraduate. Alternatively, a diploma/transcript showing prior completion of education in English is accepted in lieu of IELTS/TOEFL.
• Russian, Turkish, or Azerbaijani-taught programmes: Proof of language proficiency in the respective language, or evidence of prior education conducted entirely in that language.
• Students who do not meet language requirements may enrol in the preparatory language course (also funded under the scholarship) before beginning their degree.

5. Health Requirements

All applicants must submit a valid medical certificate issued within 3 months of the application date. The medical certificate must confirm the applicant is free from HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C. This is a mandatory, non-negotiable requirement and must include official stamps from licensed medical authorities. Students with certain contagious conditions are not eligible for the scholarship.

6. Who Is NOT Eligible?

• Citizens (current or former) of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• Citizens of countries not included in the official list of 152 eligible countries
• Applicants who exceed the age limits at the time of the application year
• Students whose GPA is below the 70/100 equivalent threshold in their most recent qualification
• Students who have already completed or are currently enrolled in the same level of degree they are applying for (e.g. cannot apply for a Bachelor's if you already hold a Bachelor's degree)
• Applicants who submit documents without proper authentication or apostille
• Students applying to programmes not listed in the official 435 eligible programme list published by the Ministry of Science and Education

Host Universities — Where Will You Study Under the Heydar Aliyev Grant?

The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant is valid at a curated list of participating Azerbaijani higher education institutions, all of which are accredited by the Ministry of Science and Education. Applicants may select up to three different specialties at different universities during Stage 2 (SIACAS registration), ranked by preference. Notable host institutions include:

Check Your Eligibility & Track Your Heydar Aliyev Grant Documents

Use the interactive tools below to instantly check if you qualify for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant 2026, build your document checklist, and compare alternatives — all without leaving this page.

How to Apply for the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant — Step-by-Step Guide for International Students

The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant application is a two-stage government-nomination process. You never apply directly to Azerbaijan's Ministry — your home country's authority nominates you first, and only nominated candidates can proceed to the SIACAS online platform. Understanding this distinction and preparing months in advance is the difference between a successful application and missing the opportunity entirely.

1. Identify your home country's nominating authority (December–January)
   Before anything else, determine which body in your country handles Heydar Aliyev Grant nominations. This is typically your Ministry of Education, Higher Education Commission (HEC), national scholarship board, or the Embassy of Azerbaijan in your country. Contact them by email and phone in December or January — well before the April deadline — to confirm their internal process, required documents, and whether a national pre-selection interview is conducted.
2. Research your target universities and programmes on SIACAS (January–February)
   Visit portal.edu.az and review the official list of participating universities and eligible programmes. Cross-reference this with the Ministry of Science and Education's list of 435+ eligible specialties. Identify 2–3 programmes across different institutions that match your academic background, and note the language of instruction for each. You can select up to three specialties at different universities when you register on SIACAS.
3. Prepare your complete application dossier (February–March)
   Gather all required documents (see the Document Checklist tab above for a full interactive list). The most commonly missed requirement is the medical certificate — it must be issued within 3 months of submission and must explicitly test for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Also ensure all academic documents are officially authenticated and apostilled (or notarised by the Azerbaijani Embassy if your country is not party to the Hague Convention).
4. Submit your application to the nominating authority in your home country (by April 15, 2026)
   Submit all required documents to your national nominating authority before April 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM Baku time. This is the Stage 1 deadline. Note that many national authorities set their own internal deadlines that are earlier — sometimes by several weeks. Always confirm the national authority's specific submission window and follow their exact instructions for document submission (hard copy, digital, or both).
5. National pre-selection and official nomination (April 15 – May 17)
   The national authority reviews all submitted applications and selects candidates to officially nominate to the Azerbaijani government. If you are selected for nomination, you will receive an official nomination confirmation from your authority. Only nominated candidates receive the credentials to register on the SIACAS platform. If you are not nominated, your application cannot proceed.
6. Register on the SIACAS platform — Stage 2 (May 18 – June 1, 2026)
   Upon receiving your nomination confirmation, visit portal.edu.az and select the "Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant" application channel. Complete your online profile, upload all required scanned documents, and select up to three programme preferences at different participating universities in order of priority. Submit your application before June 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM Baku time. For technical issues, email siacas.support@tsii.edu.az with a description and screenshots.
7. Application review by the Azerbaijani authorities (June–July)
   Following the SIACAS deadline, the Ministry of Science and Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly review all nominated applications. The review assesses academic merit (GPA, qualifications), the candidate's relevance to Azerbaijan's diplomatic and educational priorities, and the completeness and authenticity of submitted documents. There is no centralised interview at this stage.
8. Results and award notification (July–August)
   Successful candidates receive an official award letter from the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan. Results are communicated through your SIACAS account and, in many countries, also through the nominating national authority. If selected, you will receive placement confirmation at one of your three chosen institutions.
9. Visa application and pre-departure preparation (August–September)
   With your award letter and institutional placement confirmation, apply for an Azerbaijani student visa at the nearest Azerbaijani Embassy or Consulate. The scholarship support process for visa and residence permit will be coordinated by the Azerbaijani Embassy in your country and your host university's international office. The scholarship covers a single-entry visa for each academic year — your residence permit is handled separately upon arrival.
10. Arrival in Azerbaijan and enrolment (September–October)
    Travel to Baku on the scholarship-funded economy class flight. Upon arrival, your host university's international office will assist with dormitory placement, registration with local authorities, and orientation. Attend the mandatory enrolment procedures at your faculty and register for the temporary residence permit (renewable annually) with the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan.

Tips for Winning the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant

• Contact your nominating authority before January. The April 15 deadline is not your real deadline — your home country's authority typically has an internal submission window that closes weeks earlier. Email your Ministry of Education, HEC, or local Azerbaijani Embassy in December or January to find out their exact internal process. This single step separates successful applicants from those who miss the window entirely.
• Choose your three programme preferences strategically. On the SIACAS platform you can select up to three different specialties at different universities. List them in order of genuine preference. If you include a less popular university or niche field (such as Agricultural Sciences at Ganja or Marine Engineering at ADDA), you may face lower competition for that specific placement — increasing your overall chances.
• Get your medical certificate early — and do it right. The medical certificate must be issued within 3 months of your Stage 1 submission and must explicitly state you are free from HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Many applicants obtain a generic health certificate that doesn't mention these specific conditions and are rejected on this basis. Go to a licensed clinic and specify exactly what the certificate must include.
• Apostille or notarise every document correctly. If your country is a signatory to the Hague Convention, all official documents (transcripts, diplomas, birth certificate) need an apostille. If your country is not a signatory (common in parts of Africa and Asia), the Azerbaijani Embassy in your country must notarise and authenticate the documents. Submitting un-apostilled documents is a common and entirely avoidable reason for disqualification.
• Write a genuinely specific motivation letter. Generic letters that could apply to any scholarship fail here. Your motivation letter must explain: why Azerbaijan specifically (not just "I want to study abroad"), which programme you've chosen and why it fits your academic background, and how this degree connects to your professional goals and the development of your home country. Use our SOP Outliner to structure a compelling draft.
• For PhD applicants: contact a potential supervisor first. Although the Heydar Aliyev Grant is not as supervisor-dependent as European PhD scholarships, reaching out to Azerbaijani professors in your research area before applying demonstrates serious academic intent and may result in a letter of support that strengthens your dossier considerably.
• Apply to the Azerbaijan State Scholarship as a parallel track. The Azerbaijan State Scholarship is a separate scheme with its own eligibility criteria and timeline. If you qualify, apply to both simultaneously to maximise your chances of receiving any Azerbaijan government funding.
• Consider English-medium programmes at ADA University or UNEC. If your Azerbaijani language level is limited, targeting English-medium programmes at ADA University, UNEC, Khazar University, or ASOIU means you can study fully in English from day one without needing a preparatory language year — which saves time and maximises your scholarship duration for your actual degree.

After Receiving the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant — What Happens Next?

Receiving the official award letter from the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan is an outstanding achievement. Here is what to expect next:

• University placement confirmation: You will be placed at one of your three chosen universities based on availability and programme capacity. If your first-choice programme is full, you will be assigned to your second or third preference. The placement decision is made by the Ministry and is generally final.
• Dormitory accommodation: Most participating Azerbaijani universities provide on-campus dormitories for international scholarship students. Contact your host university's international office immediately after receiving placement confirmation to secure a dormitory room — spaces fill quickly for September intake.
• Azerbaijani bank account: Your monthly stipend (800 AZN) will be deposited into an Azerbaijani bank account. The most commonly used banks for international students are Kapital Bank and ABB Bank. Your university's international department will typically guide you through the account-opening process during orientation week.
• Temporary residence permit: Within 15 days of arrival in Azerbaijan, you must register with the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan (DSMF) to obtain your temporary residence permit. Your host university will assist with this process. Failure to register within this window can result in fines. The residence permit is issued for one academic year and renewed annually.
• Language preparatory year (if applicable): If you are enrolled in a programme taught in Azerbaijani, Russian, or Turkish and require language preparation, your first year will be dedicated to intensive language training at your university's language centre. The scholarship covers this preparatory year in full.
• Annual flight coordination: At the end of each academic year, coordinate with your host university's scholarship office and the Azerbaijani authorities to arrange your scholarship-funded return flight home. You must follow the official procedure to have your flight reimbursed or pre-booked — self-booked flights may not be refunded unless pre-approved.
• Academic performance requirements: The scholarship is contingent on satisfactory academic progress each semester. If you fail an academic year or are academically dismissed, the scholarship may be suspended or terminated. Maintain communication with your faculty adviser and request academic support early if you encounter difficulties.
• Alumni network and post-graduation: Azerbaijan actively cultivates relationships with Heydar Aliyev Grant alumni as part of its broader diplomatic strategy. Many alumni report ongoing engagement with Azerbaijani embassies in their home countries, professional networking opportunities, and invitation to bilateral cultural and business events post-graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant