Kazakhstan Expands Global Education Outreach with 550 Scholarships

Kazakhstan has awarded 550 state-funded scholarships to international students for the 2026–2027 academic year under its scholarship program for foreign nationals. The initiative also includes ethnic Kazakhs living abroad who are not citizens of Kazakhstan, reflecting the country's commitment to strengthening global academic partnerships and reconnecting with its diaspora.

According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the scholarship program continues to position Kazakhstan as an emerging destination for higher education in Central Asia.

Scholarship Distribution for 2026

For the 2026–27 academic year, the government allocated scholarships across undergraduate and postgraduate levels:

The scholarships will be offered through 27 universities, covering 886 academic programmes.

Over 16,000 Students Applied from 71 Countries

Interest in the program reached a new high this year. A total of 16,098 applicants from 71 countries participated in the selection process. Many applications came from ethnic Kazakhs living overseas, as the initiative aims to improve their access to quality higher education while strengthening cultural and historical ties with Kazakhstan.

More Countries Represented Than Ever Before

The scholarship program has expanded its international reach considerably. Students from 49 countries received scholarships in 2026, compared to 26 countries in the previous year. The highest number of applications came from:

• Palestine
• Indonesia
• Russia
• Uzbekistan
• Afghanistan

For the first time, scholarship recipients also include students from:

• United States
• Germany
• Italy
• South Korea
• Maldives

The broader geographic representation highlights Kazakhstan's growing appeal among international students.

Universities Hosting the Largest Number of Scholarship Recipients

Most scholarship recipients will study at leading Kazakh institutions, including:

• Kokshetau University named after Shokan Ualikhanov
• Astana IT University
• Kazakh National Research Technical University
• L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
• Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages named after Ablai Khan

These institutions collectively offer hundreds of programmes across engineering, technology, sciences, humanities, and business.

Strengthening Kazakhstan's Position as an Education Hub

Launched in 2019, the state scholarship program is designed to:

• Expand international academic cooperation
• Increase the global visibility of Kazakhstan's universities
• Attract talented students from around the world
• Strengthen educational ties with ethnic Kazakhs living abroad

Officials say the initiative continues to support Kazakhstan's ambition of becoming a leading higher education destination in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan Continues to Gain Global Recognition

The scholarship announcement follows another achievement for the country, with Team Kazakhstan winning one gold and three silver medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad 2026 held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The success reflects Kazakhstan's growing investment in education, research, and international academic excellence.

Why This Matters

As competition for international students intensifies globally, Kazakhstan is expanding scholarship opportunities and strengthening university partnerships to attract talent from across the world. The increasing number of applicants and participating countries signals the country's rising profile as a regional higher education hub.

Editor's Note

Kazakhstan's international scholarship program has grown steadily since its launch in 2019. Beyond supporting foreign students, it also serves as a strategic initiative to enhance academic collaboration, strengthen ties with the Kazakh diaspora, and increase the global competitiveness of the country's higher education system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible for Kazakhstan's international scholarship program?

The program is open to foreign nationals as well as ethnic Kazakhs who are not citizens of Kazakhstan.

2. How many scholarships were awarded for 2026–27?

A total of 550 scholarships were awarded for the 2026–2027 academic year.

3. How were the scholarships distributed?

The government allocated 490 bachelor's, 50 master's, and 10 doctoral scholarships.

4. How many students applied?

The scholarship program received 16,098 applications from 71 countries.

5. Which countries submitted the most applications?

The highest number of applications came from Palestine, Indonesia, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan.

6. Why is Kazakhstan expanding this program?

The initiative aims to attract international talent, strengthen global academic partnerships, and establish Kazakhstan as a leading higher education destination in Central Asia.