Scholarship Opportunities for Afghan Students
The disruption of education in Afghanistan has led to a significant need for scholarship opportunities for Afghan students seeking to continue their studies abroad. Recognizing this urgent need, several organizations and institutions have stepped up to provide pathways for Afghan refugees and displaced students to access higher education and professional development. This article explores various scholarship programs and initiatives designed to support Afghan students in pursuing their academic and career aspirations.
The Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP)
The Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP) stands out as a flagship program of the Afghan Future Fund (AFF). This project is a collaborative effort between the Afghan Future Fund (AFF), Education Above All, the Yalda Hakim Foundation, the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) and the Institute of International Education (IIE). QSAP offers fully funded scholarships to displaced students from the American University of Afghanistan, making it the largest initiative of its kind. Since its launch in 2022, QSAP has placed about 500 Afghan students-with gender parity-at over 60 colleges and universities across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Albania, and Qatar.
QSAP does more than open doors to higher education. The program wraps each student in a network of support-helping them thrive academically, socially, and personally as they build new futures far from home. AFF continues to support QSAP alumni by connecting them with organizations that assist in career development and job placement.
Afghan Future Fund (AFF) Initiatives
The Afghan Future Fund (AFF) is a key player in supporting Afghan students through various initiatives. These initiatives include:
- Afghan Refugees in Albania Program: Launched in response to the 2021 collapse of Afghanistan, this program began as a humanitarian evacuation effort and has since evolved into a long-term resettlement and empowerment program. AFF successfully evacuated hundreds of vulnerable Afghans to safety in Albania, with the support of the Albanian government and a coalition of NGOs, to deliver essential services. In addition to emergency relief, AFF remains committed to the long-term success of evacuees, providing immigration support, access to education, job training, and employment.
- America’s Allies Scholarship Program (AASP): In partnership with No One Left Behind, AFF launched the America’s Allies Scholarship Program (AASP) in 2025-a dedicated initiative supporting Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders who have resettled in the United States. Armed Forces.
- Supporting Access to Higher Education for Afghans (HEA) program: In collaboration with the Institute of International Education (IIE), AFF launched the Supporting Access to Higher Education for Afghans (HEA) program in 2023.
- Educational Support Program with Landmark School: Partnering with Landmark School, AFF has initiated an educational support program for Afghan students from middle school through high school. Recognizing the unique learning profiles of some students, including those with dyslexia, Landmark School offers a tailored curriculum and remedial approach.
University-Specific Scholarships
Several universities have also established scholarships specifically for Afghan refugees and displaced students:
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- University of Sanctuary Scholarship for Afghan Refugees at the University of Essex: This scholarship is available to new undergraduate or postgraduate taught students taking up a place to study in 2021-22 or 2022-23, who are refugees from Afghanistan and have been granted UK Asylum status or Discretionary/Limited Leave to Remain as a result of an asylum application, and those with Humanitarian Protection, as result of an asylum application or through a dependents claim.
- Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students: This scholarship supports displaced students from anywhere in the world who are unable to complete their higher education.
Professional Fellowships and Programs
In addition to traditional scholarships, professional fellowships and programs offer unique opportunities for Afghan evacuees and professionals:
- Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) Professional Fellowship for Afghan Evacuees: This fellowship supports high-risk evacuees resettled or seeking resettlement in the United States, providing a strong start for professionals whose experiences in Afghanistan create the potential for high risk.
- Ventures Beyond Borders (VBB): Ventures Beyond Borders exists to close this gap-transforming refugee talent into thriving entrepreneurship through training, mentorship and investment. The initiative began as The REP (Refugee Entrepreneurship Program), launched by the Afghan Future Fund in collaboration with Schmidt Futures and Antler. It was designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs from refugee backgrounds by offering a clear pathway to launch and grow their own businesses. The program featured a four-week online course in entrepreneurship and innovation, facilitated by Antler, and culminated in an intensive, in-person bootcamp in New York City. Today, Ventures Beyond Borders has grown into a nonprofit venture fund building a global ecosystem for refugee-led startups.
Support for Research and Education Initiatives
Some organizations focus on supporting research and educational initiatives that benefit Afghan students and communities:
- The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP): This Call for Proposals is intended to assist research institutions in the state of São Paulo to receive researchers from countries involved in the conflict in war-affected countries. The grant should allow research institution to host researchers interested in conducting research in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
- Lapis Middle East and Africa program: The Lapis Middle East and Africa program creates and broadcasts 100 short educational video lessons, developed with experts like UNICEF to align with Afghanistan’s core curriculum. Through Moby Group’s national media platforms-including TV, radio, and digital-these lessons reach millions of children, especially girls without access to formal education.
Additional Initiatives
- FIFA Afghan Project: The FIFA Afghan Project, a collaborative effort between FIFA and the Afghan Future Fund (AFF), showcases the transformative power of football in supporting individuals in need and at high risk. In 2021, FIFA successfully evacuated over 160 individuals, including players, officials, and human rights defenders associated with football and basketball in Afghanistan. In coordination with other concerned organizations, AFF provided crucial support to these refugees, ensuring their safety and facilitating their resettlement.
- Support for the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture: The Afghan Future Fund partnered with Turquoise Mountain to support the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture, Afghanistan’s leading vocational arts education center. The program provides opportunities for young Afghan women and men in traditional Afghan crafts such as calligraphy, miniature painting, jewelry-making, and woodworking.
- Partnership with the American University of Iraq Sulaimani (AUIS): When the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) was forced to close under Taliban rule, the Afghan Future Fund (AFF) partnered with AUIS to ensure displaced AUAF students could continue their studies without interruption. AFF successfully evacuated over 100 AUAF students to Sulaimani, Iraq, coordinating travel, housing, and enrollment at AUIS. Students resumed studies in computer science, business, political science, and other fields, maintaining academic momentum despite displacement.
- Inclusive Education Program: This critical 12-month initiative helps children with disabilities, orphans, and other vulnerable groups in Kabul safely enroll and integrate into mainstream schools. The program focuses on creating inclusive learning environments that support the dignity, development, and long-term success of these children. Implemented in partnership with Enabled Children Initiative (ECI) - a trusted independent nonprofit - the project provides safe spaces and tailored support to ensure children with disabilities can access their fundamental rights to education, healthcare, and essential services.
- Support for Afghan Content Creators: AFF supported Afghan content creators evacuated to Albania, helping them build and monetize YouTube channels while producing meaningful educational and journalistic content.
The Role of Key Organizations
Several organizations play a vital role in providing scholarship opportunities and support to Afghan students:
- Afghan Future Fund (AFF): The Afghan Future Fund (AFF) is dedicated to ensuring that talented Afghans who were most at risk from Taliban leadership in Afghanistan - in particular prominent women leaders, Afghan students, journalists, civil society activists and entrepreneurs - have the opportunity to rise to their full potential, advance democracy and preserve their culture.
- Education Above All (EAA): Education Above All (EAA) is a global education foundation established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. EAA aims to transform lives through education. EAA believes education is the single most effective means of reducing poverty, generating economic growth and creating peaceful and just societies thereby bringing hope and real opportunity to the lives of children, youth and women, especially those in poverty, conflict situations, and natural disasters.
- Yalda Hakim Foundation (YHF): The Yalda Hakim Foundation (YHF) was established in 2018 by acclaimed international journalist Yalda Hakim to support the education, human capital development, and professional advancement of exceptionally talented young women from Afghanistan - in particular those from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds - through scholarships, internships, and mentoring.
- Institute of International Education (IIE): The Institute of International Education (IIE) is the leader in designing and implementing international education strategies and program services. IIE works with governments, policymakers, educators, and employers across the globe to prepare students and professionals for the global workforce and equip them to solve the increasingly complex challenges facing our interconnected world. With support from donors, IIE also creates initiatives that assist students, scholars, and artists whose lives and work are threatened; expand teaching and learning across cultures; and provide opportunities to underserved populations.
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