IsDB Merit Scholarship Program for High Technology (MSP)

Tuition paid directly to the university, a monthly stipend matched to the cost of living (single status), medical insurance, thesis preparation, a conference allowance for PhD scholars, and a return air ticket plus installation allowance for study abroad. Covers about 36 months of PhD study or 6 to 12 months of postdoctoral research.

Fields: applied science, Engineering, computer science, biotechnology, renewable energy, medicine and pharmaceutical, agriculture and food technology, water resources

Citizens of 27 listed countries

Eligible country codes: DZ, BJ, BF, CM, TD, KM, CI, DJ, EG, GA, GM, GN, GW, LY, ML, MR, MA, MZ, NE, NG, SN, SL, SO, SD, TG, TN, UG

• National of an IsDB member country and attached to an educational, scientific or research institution at home that nominates you
• Aged up to 35 for PhD study or up to 40 for postdoctoral research
• Master's degree (for PhD) or PhD (for postdoc) in an approved science or technology field, with very good academic results
• At least 2 years of work or research experience for PhD, or 5 years for postdoc, plus a record of publications in the field
• Good command of the language of study
• Postdoc applicants who did a postdoc abroad in the last two years are not eligible

The portal is open for registration for the 2027-2028 academic year, but the official pages do not show the closing date yet. In recent cycles the call has run over the northern winter, with the 2026-2027 call closing in late January 2026. Confirm on isdb.org/scholarships.

Deadlines move a little every year and some close early. Confirm the date on the official page before you plan around it.

• Online application on the IsDB scholarship portal
• Nomination and endorsement from your home institution
• Research proposal endorsed by the nominating institution, showing relevance to your country
• Degree certificates and academic records
• List of publications and evidence of work or research experience
• Admission letter from the host university, if already secured

1. 1

   Step 1: Talk to your institution

   Ask your university or research centre to nominate you; IsDB funds individuals through their home institutions.
2. 2

   Step 2: Choose a field and host

   Pick one of the 17 approved fields and, ideally, a university that has a cooperation agreement with IsDB (for example in Malaysia, Turkiye, Queen Mary University of London or Makerere University).
3. 3

   Step 3: Register on the portal

   Create an account on isdbscholarships.smartsimple.com and complete the application for the 2027-2028 year.
4. 4

   Step 4: Get national endorsement

   Shortlisted applications are endorsed by the office of the IsDB Governor in your country, so follow up locally.

• Sign a surety bond to return home and serve your country for at least twice the length of the scholarship
• Study full time without interruption and send regular progress reports
• Do not take another scholarship or paid work that interferes with study unless IsDB approves in writing
• The award does not cover visa costs, family members, research expenses, equipment or residence permits

• Admission alone does not mean you have the scholarship; keep your job until IsDB confirms
• PhD applicants with admission at partner universities get priority
• IsDB never charges fees; only correspond with scholar@isdb.org
• Non-member African countries (for example Kenya, Ghana or Ethiopia) are not eligible for this programme

Checked against these official pages on 16 Oct 2026.

• IsDB: Scholarship Programs (opens in a new tab)
• IsDB: MSP booklet (opens in a new tab)
• IsDB: Scholarship application portal (opens in a new tab)