Merit Scholarship Program 2025-26 for High Technology (MSP) for IsDB Member Countries (Fully-Funded)

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About Merit Scholarship Program

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the MSP is to develop technically qualified human resources in IsDB MCs by providing scholarships to promising and outstanding scholars and researchers to undertake advanced studies and research in the fields of applied science and technology needed for the development of the member countries.
The main objectives are:

• To develop technically qualified human resources in the MCs.
• To enhance the scientific, technological and research capability and potential of scholars and researchers in MCs.
• To help meet national needs for science and technology, and
• To strengthen the scientific, techno- logical and research capability of institutions in MCs.

CONCEPT OF THE PROGRAM
The concept is to meet the needs of the MCs in science and high technology areas that are crucial to their development by enhancing the scientific, technological and research potential of their scholars/ researchers and institutions. The scholars are expected to return to their countries/ institutions to apply new know-how for the development of their countries.

FIELDS OF STUDY
The program covers studies and research at two levels: (i) three-year or 36 months (about 3 years) Ph.D. study, and (ii) 6-12 months post-doctoral research. The duration of both Ph.D. study and post-doctoral research are in line with international standards and practice. Fields of studies and subjects are determined by the direct need and the purpose of meeting the countries’ developmental needs related to science and technology. The needs are categorized by the following justifications: (i) lack of expertise; (ii) emerging science; (iii) problem-solving; and (iv) science management.

For general guidance, a broad list of 17 fields of study is drawn and outlined here. However, as the field of study is chosen from this list, it must gain merit by its relevance and value to the countries’ development needs and fall within one of the four categories.

1. Laser and Fiber Optics
2. Conductors/Semiconductors
3. Polymer Science
4. Genetic Engineering/Biotechnology
5. Nuclear Science/Engineering
6. Electronics/Micro Electronics/ Telecommunication
7. Computer Science (including CAD/CAM)
8. Renewable Energy/Fuel Technology
9. Hydrology/Water Resources
10. Metallurgy

11. Chemical Engineering/Material Sciences
12. Medicine/Pharmaceutical 13. Agriculture/Food Technology 14. System Engineering
15. Space Science/Technology 16. Environmental Preservation Technology
17. Technology Management and Innovation (For post-doctoral research only).

 

INSTITUTIONS OF STUDY
Priority is given to Ph.D. applicants with secured admission at countries and universities that have concluded a cooperation agreement with IsDB, such as Malaysia, Turkey, the University of Queen Mary in United Kingdom and the Makerere University in Uganda.
Successful candidates for the Ph.D. program may also secure admission at one of the reputable universities in IsDB member countries listed among the top 1,000 in the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) or QS international universities ranking.
Successful candidates for post-doctoral research are invited to undertake their research project at centers of excellence in IsDB member countries that have facilities and equipment to undertake cutting-edge research projects.

 

• Sponsor Organisation: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)

Benefits of Merit Scholarship Program

For the successful candidates, the scholarship covers the following items:

• The cost of tuition fees is charged by the universities and payable to the universities directly.
• Monthly stipend commensurate with the cost of living in the country of study, on a single-status basis
• Medical insurance under the university health scheme
• Thesis/scientific papers preparation Conference allowance for Ph.D. scholars A return air ticket and installation allowance for scholars studying overseas.

 

The scholarship does not cover the following:

• Visa application(s) costs.
• Expenses to bring and/or support a scholar’s family members. Extracurricular courses or training. Language training not provided by the study program.
• Additional travel during your study program.
• Expenses related to research, supplementary educational materials, field trips, participation in workshops/ seminars, exchange programs conferences or internships.
• Educational equipment, such as computers.
• Residence permit fee.

Merit Scholarship Program Requirements

The program is only for scholars from MCs who are attached to educational, scientific, and technological institutions and research centers in their home countries and are actively working in the scientific and technological development of their countries.
The program does not award scholarships to sole individuals, but to individuals at the institutional level. The institutions are partners in the program. Promising and talented individuals are sponsored and nominated by their institutions and accepted as appropriate by the offices of IsDB Governors in terms of the developmental and scientific needs of their countries.
To be eligible, applicants for the MSP must meet set criteria, including:

• Be up to the age of: (a) 35 years for Ph.D. study; or (b) 40 years 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 above average (“Very Good”) academic achievement.
• Have good command of the language of the institution of study and the ability to conduct scientific work in it.
• Have work and/or research experience of not less than two (2) years for Ph.D. study or five (5) years for post-doctoral research in the related field.
• Have a record of publications/research in the same field.
• Have a proposed field of study and/ or research in one of the fields listed under the approved fields of study with scientific and development relevance to the country being clearly demonstrated in a research proposal endorsed by the nominating institution. Applicants for post-doctoral research who have had a post-doctoral experience outside their countries within the past two years are not eligible.
• Not be an IsDB staff member or Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of any type of appointment (including temporary and consultant) of the IsDB Group nor a close relative of the aforementioned by blood or adoption, with the term “close relative” defined as mother, father, sister, half-sister, brother, half-brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.

NOTES:
The scholarship may only supplement, and shall not duplicate, any other source of financial support the applicant might have. If the applicant is awarded a scholarship, he/ she must inform ISDB at that time if he/she has other sources of funding.
Sending the application or getting admission by the academic institution does not mean that the applicant has been accepted for a scholarship. Accordingly, the applicant should not take any action concerning his/ her current employment or otherwise until notified by IsDB of having been awarded a scholarship.

OBLIGATIONS OF THE BENEFICIARIES
Beneficiaries awarded the scholarship shall:

• Sign a surety bond stating their commitment to their studies, to return to their countries upon completion of their studies and to continue work and services to science, technology, and development of their countries thereafter for at least twice the period of their studies under the IsDB Merit Scholarship Program.
• Devote themselves to their studies on a full-time basis without interruption and provide IsDB with reports on their academic studies and activities on a regular basis.
• Not to seek or accept any other scholarship or remunerated work during their studies under the program may interfere with their studies or make the fulfilment of their other obligations difficult, unless otherwise approved in writing by IsDB.
• Respect the laws of the country of study and maintain good personal and professional conduct consistent with the rules, regulations and objectives of the program and the overall mission of the IsDB as an Islamic institution.

Eligible Member Countries 

The following IsDB Member Countries are eligible to apply for Merit Scholarship 2025-26:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

 

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to get started with your application process.

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