Azerbaijan Government Scholarships 2026: Fully Funded Study Opportunities for International Students
International students looking for an opportunity to study in Azerbaijan can apply through the Intergovernmental Scholarship Programs (ISPs), which provide access to higher education in Azerbaijan under international agreements between participating countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The scholarship opportunity supports eligible international students at different levels of higher education, including bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs, as well as basic medical education and residency programs.
Under the program, successful students benefit from tuition-fee exemptions, medical insurance coverage and a monthly scholarship to support living expenses. However, international travel costs are not covered by the host country and are instead borne by the sending country or the student.
Azerbaijan Government Scholarships 2026 Overview
The academic year in Azerbaijan begins on September 15. Students who need additional language or academic preparation may be required to undertake preparatory courses, which normally last between six months and one year depending on university requirements.
What Does the Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Scholarship Cover?
The Intergovernmental Scholarship Programs provide substantial financial support to successful international students.
According to the official scholarship information, students admitted under the ISPs are exempt from tuition fees and medical insurance payments.
In addition, students receive a monthly scholarship in accordance with the legislation of Azerbaijan to help support their living expenses.
The host country covers the related educational and scholarship costs. International travel expenses, however, are the responsibility of either the student's sending country or the student.
Main Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants can benefit from:
- Tuition fee exemption
- Medical insurance coverage
- Monthly scholarship for living expenses
- Financial coverage of related educational costs
- Opportunity to study at participating universities in Azerbaijan
Applicants should note that the official information provided does not specify the exact monthly scholarship amount. Therefore, applicants should not assume a specific monthly stipend unless it is confirmed by the relevant authorities.
Who Can Apply?
The program is open to eligible foreign citizens who are nominated through the appropriate authorities in their home countries.
Candidates may pursue:
- Bachelor's degree programs
- Master's degree programs
- Doctoral programs
- Basic medical education
- Medical residency programs
Participation in the Intergovernmental Scholarship Programs requires candidates to be nominated to Azerbaijan through diplomatic channels by the relevant competent authorities in their home countries, such as a Ministry of Education or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Academic Eligibility Requirements
Applicants nominated under the Intergovernmental Scholarship Programs must meet the academic requirements established by the program and their selected universities.
Previous academic performance must be at least 51% according to the respective grading system.
This requirement may be assessed based on the applicant's previous level of education, including secondary education, bachelor's studies, basic medical education, master's studies or residency programs, depending on the level being applied for.
Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction of their selected program.
For programs taught in English, the official scholarship document specifies the following minimum international examination scores:
Bachelor's Degree
- IELTS: 5.0
- TOEFL: 40
Postgraduate Degrees
- IELTS: 5.5
- TOEFL: 50
Applicants who do not meet the required language or subject-knowledge level may be required to undertake preparatory courses focused on language development or academic preparation.
Who May Be Exempt From Language Testing?
Certain applicants may be exempt from language testing where the language of instruction remains unchanged.
This includes:
- Students who previously studied in educational institutions in Azerbaijan and are progressing to the next level of study.
- Graduates of foreign high schools or higher education institutions recognized under their national legislation who completed their previous level of education in the same language as the intended program in Azerbaijan.
How Many Universities Can You Choose?
Candidates may select up to three universities and corresponding specialties according to their academic and professional interests.
Applicants should carefully review the programs offered by each university because admission requirements can vary between institutions. Each university evaluates applicants' academic background and language proficiency before officially confirming admission.
Available Study Areas
The scholarship document highlights a wide range of priority fields and corresponding programs at Azerbaijani universities.
Engineering and Aviation
Opportunities listed in the document include areas such as:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aviation Equipment
- Aerospace Engineering
- Avionics and Aircraft Instrumentation
- Transportation Logistics
- Systems and Mechanical Operations Engineering
- Metallurgy Engineering
- Structural Materials
For example, Azerbaijan Technical University offers relevant engineering programs, while other opportunities are listed at Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Khazar University and Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction.
Information and Communication Technology
The ICT-related areas listed include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- MLOps
- Natural Language Processing
- Data Science
- Data Analytics
- Data Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Threat Intelligence
- Cloud Computing
- DevOps
- Embedded Systems
- Internet of Things
- Robotics
- Drones
- Satellite and Remote Sensing
- Aerospace Engineering
- FinTech
- Bioinformatics
- Microelectronics
- AR, VR and Mixed Reality
- UX/UI Design
- Smart Cities
- Digital Twins
- Green IT
- IT Project Management
- Digital Innovation
Universities identified in the document include ADA University, Baku Higher Oil School, Baku Engineering University, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Azerbaijan Technical University and other institutions.
Health and Medical Sciences
The scholarship information also identifies opportunities in health-related fields, including:
- General Medicine
- Surgery
- Anesthesiology
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Nursing
- Midwifery
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Basic Sciences
- Health Data Science
- Health Informatics
- Physiotherapy
- Public Health
- Health Management
Azerbaijan Medical University is identified as a major institution for several of these areas.
Nuclear Science and Infrastructure
Other priority areas include:
- Nuclear Engineering
- Nuclear Systems
- Nuclear Physics
- Nuclear Technology
- Instrumentation and Control
- Materials Science
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
The listed institutions include Baku State University, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction and Khazar University.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the required documents before beginning the application process.
The official document lists the following:
- Completed application form
- Diplomas and academic transcripts from previous high school or higher education studies
- Copy of a passport valid for the duration of the study period
- Medical certificate confirming general health status, including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C test results
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
- Motivation letter explaining academic interests and reasons for applying
- Proof of language proficiency in the language of instruction
For English-taught programs, applicants should provide the required IELTS or TOEFL evidence where applicable.
Applicants applying to post-bachelor graduate programs must additionally submit the original diploma and diploma supplement or annex from their previous degree.
How to Apply for the Azerbaijan Scholarship
Admission of foreign citizens to higher education institutions in Azerbaijan is conducted through the centralized Study in Azerbaijan Centralised E-Application Service (SIA/CAS), available through the official portal.edu.az platform.
Applicants applying under the Intergovernmental Scholarship Programs must select the admission category:
"Bilateral Agreements (HTP)."
However, applicants cannot simply register independently under the scholarship quota without the required nomination process.
The scholarship operates within a designated quota, and registration requires a special nomination code.
These registration codes are provided to the competent authorities of participating countries for applicants whose candidacies have been approved for submission to the Azerbaijani side.
Application Process
The general process is:
- Check whether your country is participating in the relevant Intergovernmental Scholarship Program.
- Contact the competent authority responsible for scholarship nominations in your country.
- Follow the national nomination procedure.
- If your candidacy is approved for submission to Azerbaijan, obtain the required nomination code through the competent authorities.
- Complete the application through the official portal.edu.az platform.
- Select the "Bilateral Agreements (HTP)" admission category.
- Select up to three universities and corresponding specialties.
- Upload the required documents.
- Complete the admission and scholarship application procedures according to the instructions provided by the relevant authorities.
The official document states that competent authorities can contact the State Agency for Science and Higher Education at icd@eatda.edu.az regarding the nomination codes.
Important Note for Applicants
Applicants should understand that this is an intergovernmental scholarship arrangement. The nomination process through the applicant's home country is therefore an important part of the application.
Submitting an application directly through the Azerbaijani platform does not replace the required nomination process for candidates applying under the ISP quota.
Applicants should also carefully check the admission requirements of their selected universities because requirements may vary between institutions.
Why Study in Azerbaijan?
The Intergovernmental Scholarship Programs provide international students with an opportunity to pursue higher education in Azerbaijan while benefiting from significant financial support.
The program covers tuition fees and medical insurance and provides a monthly scholarship for living expenses. It also provides access to bachelor's, master's, doctoral, medical education and residency opportunities.
For students interested in engineering, ICT, health sciences, nuclear science, architecture and other priority areas, the official program information identifies a range of Azerbaijani universities and relevant academic programs.
Final Thoughts
The Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Scholarship Programs offer a significant opportunity for eligible international students seeking higher education in Azerbaijan.
With tuition fees and medical insurance covered, together with a monthly scholarship for living expenses, the program can substantially reduce the financial burden associated with studying abroad.
However, prospective applicants should pay close attention to the nomination procedure, academic requirements, language requirements, university-specific admission conditions and required documentation.
Most importantly, applicants should begin by checking the relevant scholarship authority in their home country because nomination is an essential part of participation in the Intergovernmental Scholarship Programs.
Official Application Platform
Applicants should use the official Study in Azerbaijan application platform: https://portal.edu.az/
For general information about studying in Azerbaijan: https://studyinazerbaijan.edu.az/
For scholarship-related inquiries listed in the official document:
Email: icd@eatda.edu.az
About The Light of Engineering
The Light of Engineering is a digital platform dedicated to connecting students, graduates and professionals with scholarships, jobs, internships, fellowships, education opportunities and career development resources.
Follow The Light of Engineering for verified opportunities and regularly updated information about scholarships, jobs and professional development programs.
Before applying, always verify the latest requirements and instructions with the official scholarship authorities and universities.