The State Scholarships Foundation, known everywhere by its Greek initials IKY, is the national scholarships body of Greece. It was founded in 1951 and it runs funding at every level of higher education: undergraduate, master's, PhD and postdoctoral. If you are a Pakistani student searching for "IKY scholarship", the first thing to understand is that IKY is an organisation, not a single scholarship. It publishes many separate calls, each with its own rules, and you apply to a call, not to IKY in general.
This guide explains how that system works, which parts are realistic for an international applicant, and how to prepare so you are ready when a suitable call appears. You can also see the full scholarship details on our listing.
IKY in brief
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) |
| Country | Greece |
| Funding | Full or partial, depending on the program |
| Levels | Undergraduate, Master's, PhD, Postdoctoral |
| Deadline | Varies by specific call for applications |
| When calls open | Varies; announcements are published throughout the year |
| Official site | iky.gr/en |
One foundation, many separate funding streams
IKY manages money from three main sources. Some programs are paid from the Greek national budget. Some come through the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF). And some come from private bequests, where a donor left money to fund scholarships under specific terms.
That last group matters more than people expect. Bequest scholarships are highly specialised. A bequest might target one field of study or one academic level, because that is what the donor's terms say. So two IKY scholarships can look nothing alike, and the eligibility for one tells you very little about the other.
IKY also works with international partners, including the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). These partnerships support research mobility and academic cooperation for Greek scholars. On top of that, IKY is the National Agency for the Erasmus+ program in Greece, so it runs exchange projects and training activities as well.
Can a Pakistani student actually get IKY funding?
This is the honest question, and the answer is: it depends on the call. IKY runs some programs that are specifically for Greek citizens and others aimed at international researchers or students, often in partnership with foreign institutions. Nothing guarantees that a given call is open to Pakistani nationals.
Several of the best-known streams are clearly built around Greek applicants. The NSRF-funded undergraduate scholarships, for example, are for students from vulnerable social groups, and the EUI and DAAD partnerships are described as supporting Greek scholars. Do not assume these are open to you.
So before you spend time on documents, read the eligibility section of each call and check what it says about nationality and residence. If a call does not clearly include international applicants, treat it as closed to you unless IKY confirms otherwise. This is the single biggest mistake we see: students read about IKY as a whole, then apply to a program that was never meant for them.
My view: IKY is worth watching if you are at master's, PhD or postdoctoral level and are open to Greece, especially in research. It is a weaker bet for a Pakistani undergraduate, because the main undergraduate stream is tied to vulnerable social groups under NSRF rules.
What the money can cover, program by program
Because every call is different, there is no single package. Across its programs, IKY support can include:
- tuition fee support for selected programs
- monthly living stipends under specific scholarship schemes
- research funding for doctoral and postdoctoral candidates
- support for taking part in international competitions
- access to academic mobility through Erasmus+ partnerships
Funding is listed as full or partial. A partial award might cover fees but not living costs, or the reverse. Read the call to see exactly what is paid, for how long, and in what form, and plan your own budget for any gap. If you will need to show funds for a visa, our guide to bank statements and proof of funds explains what is usually checked.
The general eligibility rules behind most calls
Each call sets its own criteria, but a few patterns repeat:
- You must be a student or researcher as defined by that specific call.
- For certain NSRF-funded undergraduate programs, you must belong to a vulnerable social group.
- Postgraduate and doctoral applicants must meet academic excellence criteria.
- You need proficiency in English or the language of instruction, as the program requires.
- You must not hold conflicting funding, where the program terms say so.
The language point needs attention. For international programs, language certificates are expected at B2 or C1/C2 level. Check which level your call asks for and whether it wants English or Greek. A certificate that is one level short can sink an otherwise strong file.
The conflicting-funding rule also catches people out. If you already hold a university fee waiver or another grant, check whether the call allows you to combine them before you apply.
Paperwork to have ready before a call opens
Calls can appear at any point in the year, and some will not leave much time. Having these ready in advance puts you ahead:
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of enrollment or admission
- Letters of recommendation
- A research proposal, if you are applying at doctoral or postdoctoral level
- Language proficiency certificates
- Proof of income, for vulnerable social group programs
Pakistani applicants should get transcripts and degrees verified early, because attestation can take weeks. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide walks through that process. Also confirm whether the specific call wants translations or certified copies, since this list is a general one and each call can add its own items.
For a PhD or postdoc call, the research proposal is where your application is won or lost. Write it to fit the call's stated field and aims. A generic proposal recycled from another application is easy to spot.
Applying through the IKY platform
The process is simple on paper. The work is in the preparation.
- Monitor the official IKY website for new calls for applications.
- Pick a call and read its specific requirements and eligibility criteria, including nationality.
- Prepare every document listed in that call.
- Submit through the IKY online platform, or by whatever method the call directs.
- Wait for the result, which is sent by electronic message.
You can use the IKY online platform to track your application status after submitting. Keep an eye on the email address you registered with, since results come electronically.
Why there is no fixed deadline to plan around
Most scholarships have one intake a year. IKY does not work that way. Calls are announced throughout the year on the IKY website, and both the opening date and the deadline vary by program. Any date you see quoted elsewhere may belong to a past call or a different program, so confirm the current cycle and deadline on the official portal.
The practical answer is a routine. Check the official IKY website regularly, look under its "Scholarships" and "Announcements" sections, and subscribe to the IKY newsletter so new calls reach your inbox. If you have a question about an active call, the IKY call center is on 210 3726300.
Where applicants go wrong
The most common error is treating IKY as one scholarship with one set of rules. It is a foundation with many calls, and you have to match yourself to a specific one.
The second is ignoring nationality. Some calls are for Greek citizens only. Applying to those wastes your time and the reviewers' time.
The third is leaving language tests too late. If a call asks for B2 or C1/C2, you need the certificate in hand before the deadline, not a booked test date.
Finally, students often apply without reading what "partial" funding means for them. If a call covers only tuition, you will still need to fund living costs and prove it for the visa. Our article on student visa rejection reasons shows how weak funding evidence causes refusals.
If IKY does not have a suitable open call for you right now, look at all Greece scholarships for other options.
Frequently asked questions
Is the IKY scholarship open to Pakistani students?
Some IKY programs are only for Greek citizens, while others are for international researchers or students, often through partnerships with foreign institutions. Check the eligibility section of each call for your nationality before applying.
Is IKY funding fully funded?
It can be full or partial. Depending on the program, support may include tuition fees, a monthly living stipend or research funding. The call you apply to sets what is covered.
When is the IKY deadline?
There is no single deadline. Each call for applications has its own dates, and calls are published throughout the year on the IKY website.
How do I apply for an IKY scholarship?
Applications go through the IKY online platform, or as specified in the individual call published on the official website. Results are sent by electronic message.
What language level does IKY ask for?
For international programs, certificates are expected at B2 or C1/C2 level, in English or the language of instruction. The exact level depends on the call.
Who can I contact with questions?
The IKY call center on 210 3726300 handles inquiries about active calls. The website's "Scholarships" and "Announcements" sections list current calls.
Check open calls on the official IKY website, and keep the IKY scholarship page bookmarked for the summary.