Dalda Foundation Scholarship 2026-27: Full Eligibility Guide and How to Apply

The Dalda Foundation Trust has opened its 2026-27 Scholarship and Student Development Programme, offering support to students across Pakistan — from intermediate level all the way through university, as well as vocational and technical training. Applications opened on October 12, 2026 and close on November 13, 2026. Here's a complete, practical breakdown of who qualifies and how to apply.

Key dates

• Applications open: October 12, 2026
• Last date to apply: November 13, 2026
• Applications are accepted online only, through the Foundation's official website. Manual or paper applications are not accepted.

With roughly a month-long window, it's worth starting your application and gathering documents early rather than waiting until the final days, since the process also involves a written assessment and verification stage.

The two main tracks

The programme is split into two broad tracks, each with its own eligibility rules.

Track 1: Professional Education (Intermediate to University)

This track is aimed at students studying at the intermediate level and above. To qualify as an external applicant, you generally need to:

• Be a Pakistani resident (this includes Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir).
• Be under 19 years of age.
• Have already secured admission to an eligible public-sector institution.
• Meet the academic requirement: at least 70% marks if you're in ICS, Arts, Home Economics, or related streams, or at least 80% marks if you're in medical, engineering, or general science streams.
• Be currently studying in, or enrolled in, Intermediate Part I.
• Come from a household in an urban area with a residence no larger than 120 square yards.
• Have a parent or guardian whose monthly income does not exceed Rs. 70,000.

Track 2: Vocational Education and Technical Training

This track supports students pursuing skills-based training rather than conventional academic degrees. Supported fields include digital and future skills, technical trades, retail and services, hospitality, health and allied fields, and agriculture and livestock.

To qualify as an external applicant, you generally need to:

• Be a Pakistani resident (including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir).
• Have admission to an eligible government or government-approved training programme.
• Have at least 50% marks in Matric.
• Be enrolling in a programme that typically runs six months to two years, with preference given to courses that lead directly to employment.
• Meet the same household criteria as Track 1: an urban residence no larger than 120 square yards, and parental/guardian monthly income not exceeding Rs. 70,000.

A separate category for families of eligible third-party workers

The Foundation also runs an "internal" category for family members of eligible third-party workers, with slightly different terms:

• Professional education: Students admitted to eligible public-sector institutions can apply starting from Grade 8 onward. They need at least 50% marks in Matric, and the parent/guardian's monthly income must not exceed Rs. 90,000.
• Vocational training: Same structure — admission to an eligible public-sector institution, a six-month-to-two-year programme, at least 50% in Matric, and a monthly household income cap of Rs. 90,000.

Geographic coverage

The programme covers "All Pakistan," explicitly including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. It is not restricted to specific provinces.

How to apply, step by step

1. Apply online at the Dalda Foundation's official website (daldafoundation.pk). Manual applications will not be accepted, so don't rely on paper forms submitted through an institution.
2. Get your documents approved by your educational institution's principal before submitting — the Foundation requires institutional verification of your application documents.
3. Sit the written assessment. Selection isn't automatic just because you meet the eligibility criteria — all applicants go through a written test (the DFT assessment) as part of the selection process.
4. Academic and financial verification. Shortlisted applicants go through a verification stage to confirm the academic and income details submitted.
5. Orientation and final selection. If you clear verification, you may be invited to an orientation session before final award decisions are made.

Shortlisted candidates are typically contacted by email, so make sure the email address on your application is one you check regularly.

Important: meeting eligibility doesn't guarantee a scholarship

The Foundation is explicit that satisfying the eligibility criteria above only makes you eligible to apply — it does not guarantee that you'll be selected. Given the written assessment and verification stages, students should prepare as they would for any competitive academic selection process, not treat this as a formality.

Need help or have questions?

The Foundation lists direct contact channels for applicants:

• WhatsApp: 0331-1200897
• Landline: (021) 35850942, extension 385
• Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bottom line

With a clear income cap (Rs. 70,000 or Rs. 90,000 depending on category), defined academic thresholds, and two distinct tracks covering both conventional and vocational education, the Dalda Foundation's 2026-27 programme is accessible to a wide range of students across Pakistan. The window closes November 13, 2026 — apply online early, make sure your documents are principal-verified, and prepare properly for the written assessment, since eligibility alone won't secure your spot.