Call for Applications: DAFI Scholarship Programme for Refugees (Azerbaijan)

UNHCR Tertiary Refugee Scholarship Programme (DAFI) offers qualified refugee and returnee (in selected countries) students the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree in their country of asylum or home country.

The scholarship package covers a range of costs including tuition and study materials, food, transportation and accommodation. The DAFI scholarship programme may also provide academic preparatory, language and information and communication technology (ICT) courses, as well as psychosocial support, depending on the needs and capacity of the individual country operation or programme partner.

DAFI covers programmes at International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) level 6, or bachelor’s or equivalent level—typically designed to provide participants with intermediate academic and/or professional knowledge, skills and competencies, leading to a first degree or equivalent qualification. Traditionally offered by universities and equivalent tertiary educational institutions.

DAFI also covers short-cycle tertiary education ISCED level 5 courses—usually designed to provide participants with professional knowledge, skills and competencies, either academic or technical. This includes accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) progammes of two years or more that lead to a certification or diploma.

DAFI scholarship covers the cost of tuition and fees, study and learning materials and also provides a subsistence allowance to support expenses associated with participation in a higher education degree programme.

Eligibility Criteria

• You are an individual who has been granted refugee status in Azerbaijan or you are considered as a person in refugee-like situation by UNHCR and/or the host country.
• You were/ are 28 years old or younger at the start of your studies. (Exceptions to the age limitation may apply if you started your bachelor studies in your home country but had to interrupty the studies due to flight, or if you faced particular challenges to access higher education programmes because of a specific factor such as: parenting or childcare responsibilities, disability, etc.
• Your sibling (brother / sister) was not or is not a DAFI scholar.
• You have a secondary school diploma received in your Country of Origin or in Azerbaijan (preferred) and you can present the original document. If you do not have it, please explain in your Application the reason why you cannot present an original document.
• If you are a newly enrolling student, you achieved above average results in secondary school. Important Note: The priority will be given to those who participated in the admission exams through the State Examination Center of the Republic of Azerbaijan and achieved the score of 400 points and higher.
• If you already study in a higher education institution in Azerbaijan, you demonstrate good academic results – your current GPA score is 70 and higher.
• You are not currently receiving a scholarship from another source.
• You are in need of financial assistance to pursue your studies.
• You have a strong motivation to contribute to your community through leadership, volunteering, community service, mentoring, community development or similar.

For more information, visit DAFI.