Applications are now open for the SAF-Madanjeet Singh Scholarship Program 2026, offering Bangladeshi students the opportunity to pursue postgraduate study across South Asia under a scheme backed by the South Asia Foundation (SAF) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The scholarship, established by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh in 2000, is administered through the South Asia Foundation—a secular, nonprofit, and nonpolitical organization whose mandate centers on fostering regional cooperation among the eight SAARC member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The programme is linked to the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) in Chennai, India, covering a one-year postgraduate course. Benefits extend beyond tuition, encompassing economy-class airfare from the scholar's home country to Chennai and back, shared accommodation for the duration of the course, meals at the ACJ canteen, and a nominal allowance for personal expenses.

Eligible candidates must hold an undergraduate degree in any discipline. Equivalent qualifications from SAARC countries are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Proficiency in English is required, as all instruction and assignments at the institution are conducted in the language.

For Bangladeshi applicants more broadly, the programme also offers partial tuition support, a monthly stipend where applicable, and the prospect of academic and cultural exchange within the region.

Officials have urged interested candidates to submit applications through the programme's designated process before the stipulated deadline. Official channels provide full details on participating institutions, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.

The SAF operates UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institutions of Excellence across the eight member states as part of its broader mission to advance education and regional integration in South Asia.