New selection for Berik and Bayan Kaniyev Scholarship

We previously reported that Anel Abdirova became the first Berik and Bayan Kaniyev Scholarship recipient. She will begin her studies at Fuqua School of Business, Duke University in 2026 and will study from 2026—2028.

Therefore, the next selection for the scholarship will be opened in 2027, simultaneously with the start of Duke Fuqua's admission campaign. The new scholarship holder will start studying in 2028.

Up-to-date information on the terms and conditions of the next selection will be published on the Foundation's website later.

About the program

Berik and Bayan Kaniyev Scholarship — the first scholarship established by Duke University in Kazakhstan and throughout the former Soviet Union. The scholarship will be awarded annually one citizen of Kazakhstan, enrolled in a full-time master's program Fuqua.

The school's competition committee will open applications in July 2025 to start studying in 2026. The scholarship covers tuition fees.

Logotype of Duke | Fuqua School of Business

Purpose of the Scholarship

To provide Kazakhstanis with the opportunity to receive a world-class education at one of the top universities in the U.S. and globally.

This is the first and only scholarship at Duke University sponsored by a donor/philanthropist from the Republic of Kazakhstan — and from all of Central Asia and the post-Soviet region.

Eligible Master’s Programs

Master of Business Administration

Deadlines for submission of documents

Submission of applications until

Admission decision

EarlyAction

September 4, 2025

October 16, 2025

Round 1

September 30, 2025

December 11, 2025

Round 2

January 8, 2026

March 13, 2026

Master of Quantitative Management

Deadlines for submission of documents

Submission of applications until

Admission decision

Round 1

October 1, 2025

December 2, 2025

Round 2

January 7, 2026

March 10, 2026

Master of Management Studies

Deadlines for submission of documents

Submission of applications until

Admission decision

Round 1

October 1, 2025

December 3, 2025

Round 2

January 14, 2026

March 11, 2026

Terms of the Scholarship

Establishment

Scholarship announcement among Kazakhstanis in 2025

Awarding

First scholarship recipient to be awarded in 2026

Duration

Perpetual, funded by endowment income

Eligibility

Exclusively for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Decision

The decision is made by the Fuqua admissions committee

Why it is important

“I remember well how unattainable an education of this caliber once seemed — until I went through the journey myself.My wife and I created this scholarship so that talent and ambition would matter more than the ability to pay.

I hope that for someone, it will become the same turning point that Fuqua was for me.Over time, more and more students will be able to take advantage of this opportunity to grow, evolve, and give back to their country.”

— said Berik Kaniyev, Executive MBA graduate of Fuqua (2005) and member of the Fuqua School Board of Visitors.

About the Fuqua School of Business

The school is renowned for its Team Fuqua culture — a spirit of teamwork, ethical leadership, and sustainable thinking. Fuqua’s programs are recognized among the best in the world in strategy, management, entrepreneurship, and social impact.