The Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB) invites suitably qualified Zambian nationals to apply for three (3) scholarships offered by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan under the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.

The scholarships are available at:

• Bachelor’s Degree level (including General Medicine)
• Master’s Degree level (including Medical Residency)
• Doctoral (PhD) level

1. OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme aims to contribute to the development of human capital in Zambia and partner countries by supporting Zambian nationals to pursue full-time studies at recognized higher education institutions in Azerbaijan.

2. EDUCATIONAL LEVELS AND DURATION

• Bachelor’s Degree: 4-5 years
• General Medicine: 5-6 years
• Master’s Degree: 1.5-2 years
• Medical Residency: 2-5 years
• Doctoral (PhD): 3 years
• Preparatory Courses: 6 months – 1 year

3. PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES (SELECTED)

The scholarship is tenable at several recognized institutions in Azerbaijan, including:

• Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University
• Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC)
• Azerbaijan Technical University
• Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction
• ADA University
• Baku State University
• Khazar University
• Nakhchivan State University
• National Aviation Academy

Programmes are offered in fields including:

• Engineering (Oil & Gas, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Engineering)
• Information Technology and Information Security
• Medicine, Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Architecture and Urban Planning
• Environmental Sciences
• Economics and Business
• Aviation and Transport

4. APPLICATION TIMELINE (2026)

Activity Dates

1. Submission of Applications (First Stage) to HELSB- 20 February – 20 March 2026
2. SIACAS Online Registration (Second Stage) – 18 May- 1 June 2026
3. Evaluation in Azerbaijan – 1 June – 1 July 2026
4. Notification of Selected Candidates – 1 July – 1 August 2026
5. Start of Academic Year – 15 September 2026
6. Final Arrival in Azerbaijan – 30 September 2026

5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

A. Undergraduate Applicants

Applicants must:

• Be a Zambian citizen with a Green National Registration Card (NRC)
• Be able to acquire a valid passport before travel
• Be school leavers who completed Grade 12 in 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025
• Have Grades 1-3 in English, Mathematics and relevant subjects
• Have Pure Sciences for General Medicine and Engineering programmes• Be below
• 25 years of age by 15th September 2026

B. Master’s Applicants

Applicants must:

• Be below 40 years of age by 15th September 2026
• Possess a recognized Bachelor’s Degree with minimum Merit or equivalent

C. PhD Applicants

Applicants must:

• Be below 45 years of age by 15th September 2026
• Possess a recognized Master’s Degree in a relevant field

6. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested candidates must submit physical applications to HELSB.

Required Documents:

All Applicants

1. Typed application letter stating:
   • Intended field of study
   • Age
   • Active mobile number
2. Certified copy of Birth Certificate
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Certified copies of:
   • Academic certificates
   • Academic transcripts
   • National Registration Card (NRC)
5. Study Plan / Research Proposal. Word Count at each level:
   • Bachelor’s 200 words
   • Master’s 400 words
   • PhD 600 words
   • The study plan must explain how the programme will contribute to Zambia’s development.
6. Employer’s recommendation letter (for employed applicants only)

7. APPLICATION FEE

Applicants must:

• Pay a non-refundable application fee of ZMW 100 at any NATSAVE branch
• Attach deposit slip to the application
• Note: No cash payments will be accepted at HELSB offices.

8. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Postal Address:

The Chief Executive Officer
Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board
P.O. Box 320298
Lusaka, Zambia

Hand Delivery:

• United Church House, 2nd Floor, No. 8 Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Woodlands – Lusaka•
• C4 Copperbelt University, Riverside Campus – Kitwe
• Mulungushi University, Town Campus – Kabwe
• Stand No. 6711, Mberere Road, Olympia Park Extension – Lusaka

9. DEADLINE

Closing Date: Friday, 20th March 2026. Late applications will not be considered.

10. CONTACT DETAILS

HELSB:

• +260 211 250726
• +260 212 229192
• +260 968 058811
• [email protected]
• www.helsb.gov.zm

For programme-specific enquiries:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan: [email protected]
• Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan: [email protected]
• SIACAS Technical Support: [email protected]

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
2. Applicants not contacted by 15th May 2026 should consider applications unsuccessful
3. Students currently on HELSB sponsorship are not eligible
4. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered
5. Withdrawal after nomination may lead to blacklisting
6. Final award decision rests with the Government of Azerbaijan