Azerbaijan has greatly increased its international education grants since April 26, 2026, especially through the well-known Heydar Aliyev initiative. The first-stage deadline for the main government scholarship has just passed (April 15, 2026), but there are still some university-specific grants and secondary application rounds open for the 2026–2027 cycle.
Here are the main ways that international students in Azerbaijan can get money.
1. Heydar Aliyev—International Education Grant (Government Scholarship)
This is the best fully funded programme for people from the OIC, NAM, and small island developing states.
- • Status for 2026:
- The first stage, the nomination stage, ended on April 15, 2026.
- The second stage, which is online SIACAS registration, runs from May 18 to June 1, 2026.
- The Prize:
- Full Tuition: 100% off for the whole time it takes to get a degree (bachelor’s to PhD).
- • Every month, you get 800 AZN (about $470) for ten months.
- • Travel: One international round-trip flight every year.
- Extras include full medical insurance (200 AZN per year), a visa, and registration fees.
- Important: Only students who were officially nominated by their home governments by April 15 can move on to the second stage on the portal.edu.az website.
2. The Alimardan bay Topchubashov Fellowship at ADA University
ADA University in Baku is one of the most modern and international schools in the area.
- Deadlines for 2026:
- First Round: Already over (April 8).
- Second Round: The deadline for applications is June 1, 2026.
- The Prize:
- Full Tuition Waiver: For the first year of study, it can be renewed as long as the student keeps a 3.0 GPA.
- Housing: International students usually get help finding a place to live in a dorm.
- Requirement: Candidates must fill out an online application that includes a Statement of Purpose and show that they can speak English well (IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 83 / Duolingo 120).
3. Scholarships for Khazar University students based on merit
Khazar University has a number of institutional scholarships available to international students from all over the world.
- The Prize:
- Tuition Waivers: 25%, 50%, or 75% off of tuition fees.
- Nailekhanim Foundation Scholarship: A full scholarship just for smart women who want to get a master’s or PhD.
- • 2026 Status: Applications are usually looked at at the same time as the admission file. If you get an offer from a university in Azerbaijan, you have until early September 2026 to register on the government portal.
- Important: You don’t need to fill out a separate application. All international students who are accepted to the university are automatically considered for merit aid.
4. Important 2026 Plan for Azerbaijan
As you get through the last few months of the 2026 application cycle, keep these tactical needs in mind:
- If you have been accepted to a university or nominated for a grant, you must register with the Study in Azerbaijan Centralised Admission Service (SIACAS). This portal is the legal link between your university admission and your student visa for the 2026 cycle.
- Medical Certification: To get a 2026 scholarship, you need to show proof of a recent medical exam that shows you don’t have HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C.
- • Language Preparatory Year: Most scholarships for programmes taught in Azerbaijani include a fully funded year of preparation. If you want to study English, make sure to send in your IELTS or TOEFL scores by June 1.
5. A summary of the costs and life at the university
- Budget: Azerbaijan is very cheap. In Baku, students can live comfortably on $400 to $500 a month, even if they don’t get a full stipend.
- • Student Benefits: Your “Student ID” (Tələbə kartı) gives you big discounts on the Baku Metro, public buses, and getting into important cultural sites like the Heydar Aliyev Centre. Scholarships for Azerbaijani Universities