Opportunity, access, and excellence.

Scholarship consideration is optional and part of your application. You can select one or more awards — or none — and still submit a standard application.

Selecting an award is a request for consideration, not an entitlement

Awards depend on the published criteria, available funding and the review outcome. Not every award level is necessarily funded in every cycle. Only a written scholarship decision from ISDL confirms an award.

Terms shown for Alpha Class of 2027. Award names, places and terms are set for each cohort.

Emerging African Leaders Scholarship

100%

of published tuition covered

Intended to support: Citizens of an African country whose leadership potential, purpose, and circumstances align strongly with the school's mission and who are positioned to lead responsible change on the continent.
Indicative criteria: African citizenship (stated in the application), plus exceptional alignment with ISDL's mission across the admissions rubric and a clear case that full support would make participation possible or substantially more impactful.
Evidence that may be requested: A scholarship statement and your country of citizenship. Proof of citizenship may be requested before the award is confirmed.
Combining with other funding: Not combined with other ISDL awards.
Places available: Determined by available funding; published before decisions

Merit Scholarship

75%

of published tuition covered

Intended to support: Applicants whose applications are outstanding on the admissions rubric, including those leading change without formal authority.
Indicative criteria: Outstanding evidence on initiative, critical thinking, and ethical and systems awareness.
Evidence that may be requested: A scholarship statement.
Combining with other funding: Not combined with other ISDL awards.
Places available: Determined by available funding; published before decisions

Transformational Leadership Scholarship

50%

of published tuition covered

Intended to support: Applicants who can show how the programme will be applied to a specific challenge in their organisation or community.
Indicative criteria: A credible, specific application of learning, with attention to who is affected.
Evidence that may be requested: A scholarship statement.
Combining with other funding: Not combined with other ISDL awards.
Places available: Determined by available funding; published before decisions

Access & Opportunity Scholarship

25%

of published tuition covered

Intended to support: Applicants who would benefit from financial assistance to participate.
Indicative criteria: Admissible application and a clear statement of how support would enable participation.
Evidence that may be requested: A scholarship statement. ISDL does not request financial documents unless the published cohort terms require them.
Combining with other funding: Not combined with other ISDL awards.
Places available: Determined by available funding; published before decisions

How it works

Selection, notification and acceptance.

Select any awards you wish to be considered for and write one shared scholarship statement (200–350 words).
Reviewers record a recommendation against the criteria; an authorised administrator makes the final decision.
Admission and scholarship are decided separately. You may be admitted with an award, without one, or with the scholarship decision pending.
Each learner receives at most one award percentage. Awards are not stacked unless the cohort terms say so.
Your offer letter states tuition, award value, remaining balance, payment schedule and acceptance deadline.
If you decline your offer or withdraw, the award lapses and may be offered to another applicant.

Financial information

What we ask — and what we don't.

We ask only for a short statement about why support would make a difference to your participation or how your application aligns with the award. We do not request bank statements, tax documents or identity documents unless the published cohort terms explicitly require them. Scholarship information is visible only to staff who need it. AI never determines scholarship eligibility.

Apply with scholarship consideration

Scholarship FAQs

Do I need to apply separately for a scholarship?

No. Scholarship consideration is part of the application. You can select one, several, or none of the scholarship categories and provide a short statement.

If I select the 100% award, does that mean I will receive it?

No. Selecting an award indicates that you would like to be considered. Awards depend on the published criteria, available funding, and the review outcome. Only a written scholarship decision from ISDL confirms an award.

Can scholarships be combined?

By default, each admitted learner receives at most one scholarship percentage. Awards are not stacked unless the published terms for that cohort say otherwise.

Does selecting a scholarship affect my chance of admission?

Admission and scholarship decisions are recorded separately. You can be admitted without a scholarship, with a scholarship, or with a scholarship decision still pending.