The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program is the Government of Azerbaijan's fully funded scholarship for international students, managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Education. For the 2026/2027 cycle it supports study at Azerbaijan's top universities across Bachelor's (4 to 5 years), General Medicine (5 to 6 years), Master's (1.5 to 2 years), Medical Residency (2 to 5 years), Doctoral (3 years), and preparatory programmes. The package covers full tuition including preparatory language courses, round-trip economy airfare once per academic year, a monthly allowance of 800 AZN (about $470 USD) for 10 months a year, medical insurance of 200 AZN (about $117 USD) annually, and visa and residence-permit support. Eligibility is restricted to citizens of OIC and NAM member states, Small Island Developing States, and countries with ties to Azerbaijan, with age limits of under 35, 40, or 45 years depending on degree level and a minimum GPA equivalent to 70/100. Applications run in two stages: nomination through your home government before around 15 May 2026, then online registration via the SIACAS portal. Because allowances, eligible groups, and deadlines are reset each cycle, confirm the current-cycle figures on the official Azerbaijan portal before applying.
The process has two stages: government nomination in your home country, then online registration for shortlisted candidates.
Documents not in English, Azerbaijani, Turkish, or Russian require notarized translations. Nomination does not guarantee selection; the final decision rests with the Selection Committee.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Countries with historical, cultural, or ethnic ties to Azerbaijan
Candidates are first nominated by their home government, then shortlisted candidates register online and select up to three programmes. The Selection Committee makes the final decision based on academic record, the chosen programmes, and the candidate's overall profile; nomination alone does not guarantee an award.
The Government of Azerbaijan, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science and Education, runs the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program to attract international students to its universities. The programme honours the legacy of national leader Heydar Aliyev and is administered via the SIACAS centralized admission portal.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
International students who are citizens of OIC or NAM member states, Small Island Developing States, or countries with historical, cultural, or ethnic ties to Azerbaijan.
Full tuition, a monthly allowance of 800 AZN (about $470 USD), annual medical insurance of 200 AZN (about $117 USD), round-trip airfare, and visa support.
Bachelor's, General Medicine, Master's, Medical Residency, Doctoral (PhD), and preparatory courses.
Under 35 for undergraduate and general medicine, under 40 for graduate and medical residency, and under 45 for doctoral programmes, measured by 15 September 2026.
A minimum GPA equivalent to 70/100 or 7/10.
You must be proficient in English, Russian, Turkish, or Azerbaijani.
800 AZN (about $470 USD) per month is paid for 10 months a year to cover living costs, accommodation, and educational materials.
First you are nominated through your home government before around 15 May 2026; if shortlisted, you register online via the SIACAS portal in June.
Up to three study programmes across different universities on the SIACAS portal.
No. Nomination does not guarantee selection; the Selection Committee makes the final decision.
Around 15 September 2026 (est.), with the last arrival date typically by the end of September.
On the official Azerbaijan education portal and the SIACAS portal, which publish the eligible groups, allowances, and binding deadlines.