The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship Program is less a single scholarship than a family of funding tracks run by a development bank based in Saudi Arabia. It supports students from IsDB member countries, and one of its named tracks, the IsDB-ISFD Scholarship Program, is aimed specifically at students from Least Developed Member Countries. If you want the summary version first, see the full scholarship details on our site.
Here is the honest framing before you spend time on it. This is a development scholarship. The bank funds education because it wants graduates who will go back and help solve development problems in their home countries. Students who already think in those terms will find it a natural fit. Students looking for a route to settle abroad, or who cannot explain why their degree matters to their country, will struggle to write a convincing application.
The IsDB program in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Funding | Full or partial, depending on the track |
| Study levels | Undergraduate, Master's, PhD and post-doctoral |
| Fields | Varies by track, confirm on the official site |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Official site | isdb.org/scholarships |
Why "member country" is the first thing to check
Every IsDB track starts from one rule: you must be a citizen of an IsDB member country. The program details we have do not list the member countries, so do not assume your passport qualifies. Pakistani students should confirm on the official IsDB scholarships portal that Pakistan is covered for the track they want, and then check whether that track is limited to Least Developed Member Countries. The IsDB-ISFD track, for example, is tailored to that narrower group, so being from a member country is not automatically enough for it.
If the website leaves you unsure, the program itself suggests contacting the IsDB office or the relevant local authorities in your country with questions about eligibility. That is a better use of an afternoon than guessing and writing an application you cannot submit.
Full, partial and everything in between
Funding is described as full or partial, and what is covered varies by track. The kinds of support listed across the program are:
- Tuition fee coverage
- Living stipends
- Health insurance
- Travel support
Read that list as the possible menu, not a promise. A partial award might cover some of these and leave you to fund the rest yourself. No stipend amounts are published in the information we have, so if you are planning a budget, wait until you have the terms for your specific track in writing. If a gap remains, you will need your own funds, and our guide to bank statements and proof of funds explains what that usually looks like for Pakistani applicants.
The five conditions every track shares
The specific rules change from track to track, but the program lists a common base. You must:
- Be a citizen of an IsDB member country.
- Meet the academic criteria set for the specific program.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be committed to contributing to the development of your home country.
- Meet any additional requirements of the track you apply to.
Two of these deserve more attention than most applicants give them. Financial need is a stated requirement, which means this is not a pure merit award. If your family can comfortably fund your studies, your application starts at a disadvantage. And the commitment to your home country is not a box to tick. It is the reason the program exists, so it should shape your whole statement of purpose.
Academic criteria are set per program. No minimum grades, test scores or age limits are given in the general information, so look for them in the call for the track you choose.
Paperwork for an IsDB application
The core documents are short and familiar:
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of citizenship
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Any additional documents the specific program asks for
That last item is where people get caught. Each track can add its own requirements, and you only find out when you read the call properly. Start collecting transcripts and recommendation letters early, because both depend on other people. For Pakistani documents that may need attestation, our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide covers the process.
Applying through the IsDB portal
Applications go through the official IsDB scholarship website. The process looks like this:
- Visit the official IsDB scholarships portal.
- Identify the specific scholarship program you are eligible for.
- Review the eligibility criteria and required documents for that program.
- Submit your application through the online portal during the open period.
- Monitor the portal for selection results.
Step two is where most of the real work happens. Because the IsDB runs several tracks, picking the wrong one wastes everything that follows. Read each track's eligibility first, and only then start drafting.
Why there is no fixed deadline to plan around
Opening dates and deadlines vary, and the program does not publish one fixed cycle in the information we have. The bank also updates its offerings from time to time to match what member countries need, so a track you read about last year may look different this year or may not run at all.
The practical answer is to check the portal regularly and to have your documents ready before any window opens. If you only start gathering transcripts and letters when a call is announced, you may run out of time.
What separates a strong IsDB application from a weak one
The biggest mistake is a generic statement of purpose. An essay that talks about personal ambition and the prestige of studying abroad misses the point of a development bank's scholarship. Write about a specific problem in Pakistan (or your home country) that your field connects to, and explain how your degree equips you to work on it after you return. Concrete is better than grand.
The second mistake is skipping the eligibility check for specialised tracks. The IsDB-ISFD program is for Least Developed Member Countries, and other tracks have their own conditions. Confirm which ones apply to your country before you invest time.
Third, do not ignore the financial need requirement. Be ready to show it honestly. Overstating or understating your situation is a poor idea when the program explicitly assesses need.
Finally, keep your expectations realistic about coverage. Some awards are partial. Students who plan as if every cost is covered and then receive partial funding end up scrambling. If you are also comparing other options, our all Saudi Arabia scholarships roundup is a good place to see alternatives side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the IsDB scholarship?
Only citizens of IsDB member countries can apply, and some tracks are limited further to Least Developed Member Countries. Check the official portal to confirm that Pakistan is eligible for the specific track you want.
Which study levels does the IsDB program fund?
The program covers undergraduate, Master's, PhD and post-doctoral study, depending on the track.
Is the IsDB scholarship fully funded?
Some awards are full and others are partial. Possible support includes tuition fees, living stipends, health insurance and travel, but what you actually receive depends on the track.
When is the IsDB deadline?
Deadlines and opening dates vary by cycle and track. Confirm the current dates on the official portal and check it regularly.
Which fields of study can I choose?
Eligible fields vary by track. The program leans towards development-oriented study, so confirm the allowed fields in the call you are applying to.
Where do I submit my application?
Applications are made online through the official IsDB scholarship website during the open period.
Before you start, read the current calls on the official IsDB scholarships portal and keep the IsDB scholarship page on our site handy for a quick reference.