About the Scholarship
About the Scholarship
A joint initiative honoring the legacy of Bosnia's first president — investing in doctoral research that shapes the nation's future.
Empowering Doctoral Research for National Development
The Alija Izetbegović Doctoral Scholarships program supports academically excellent doctoral candidates whose research contributes to strategic, developmental, and societal priorities relevant to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Jointly administered by the Alija Izetbegović Foundation, the International University of Sarajevo (IUS), and the İlim Yayma Foundation, the program provides financial support of 2,000 BAM per month for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension subject to satisfactory academic progress.
The scholarship is open to Bosnian citizens enrolled in accredited doctoral programs at universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina who have completed their first year of study and demonstrate strong academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.20/4.00).
Research Priority Areas
The scholarship targets doctoral research aligned with Bosnia and Herzegovina's strategic development needs across twelve priority domains.
Natural Resources, Mining & Sustainable Technologies
Energy Systems & Energy Security
Telecommunications & Digital Infrastructure
High Technology, AI & Advanced Computing
Defense, Security & Military Technologies
Cybersecurity, Cyber-Diplomacy & Hybrid Threats
Governance, Power-Sharing & Political Stability in BiH
Alija Izetbegović — Related Research
Maritime Law
Health Systems & Public Health Management
Evaluation of Health System Quality: Indicators, Challenges & Policy Implications
Air Pollution & Possible Policy Solutions
Founding Organizations
Alija Izetbegović Foundation
Founding PartnerDedicated to preserving the intellectual and political legacy of Bosnia's first president, the Foundation supports education, culture, and civic development initiatives across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
International University of Sarajevo
Academic PartnerA leading research university in Bosnia and Herzegovina, IUS provides the academic infrastructure, administrative coordination, and scholarly oversight for the scholarship program.
İlim Yayma Foundation
Supporting PartnerOne of Türkiye's most established educational foundations, İlim Yayma has supported higher education and academic excellence globally for decades, providing key financial backing for this initiative.
Alija Izetbegović
1925, Bosanski Šamac — 2003, Sarajevo
Alija Izetbegović was the first President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A lawyer, author, and political thinker, he spent years imprisoned for his ideas before leading his country through its struggle for independence and sovereignty.
His intellectual legacy — spanning works on Islam, East and West, and the challenges of national self-determination — earned international recognition, including the King Faisal International Prize. This scholarship carries forward his lifelong belief that knowledge and education are the foundations of national development.
Begin Your Doctoral Journey
Check if you meet the eligibility criteria and start your application today.