MIRAS Schools Open Applications for Educational Grants

The international MIRAS schools in Astana and Almaty have announced the start of their annual competitive selection process for educational grants for the 2026–2027 academic year. The programme is designed to support talented schoolchildren from across Kazakhstan who plan to continue their studies in Years 10–11 or enrol in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). Winners will receive grants covering 100%, 50%, or 30% of tuition fees.
Experts note that such initiatives offer a genuine opportunity for pupils from different regions of the country to study to high international standards – regardless of where they live or their family’s financial situation.

Equal Opportunities for Young People in Kazakhstan

The competition is based on the principle of transparent selection. The key criteria are a participant’s ability and motivation. Place of residence or family income should not influence the selection process.

Over the six years of the programme’s existence, more than 1,500 senior pupils from various regions of Kazakhstan have taken part. More than 80 grants have been awarded, including 28 with full tuition coverage. In the last academic year, 17 students received grants.

The competition is supported by the NNEF Public Foundation and the Halyk Charitable Fund of Timur Kulibayev. Since its establishment, the NNEF Foundation has invested more than USD 250 million into the development of the education system. The NNEF ecosystem covers the full cycle of continuous education – from early years programmes to higher education. Its structure includes MIRAS nurseries in Astana, Almaty and Atyrau; MIRAS International Schools in Astana and Almaty; Almaty International School; the specialised military lyceum Arystan; as well as five leading universities in Kazakhstan: the Kazakh-British Technical University, Astana IT University, the International University of Information Technologies, the University of International Business, and the Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications.

This approach enables a sustainable model for developing human capital, supporting talented children at different stages of their educational growth. It is also worth noting that the NNEF and Halyk foundations form part of the broader support network – the business ecosystem of Timur Kulibayev and Dinara Kulibayeva – which ensures consistent and long‑term support, as well as unique opportunities for professional collaboration with other assets.

Why MIRAS: Quality Proven by Results

The MIRAS International Schools were founded in 1999 by Dinara Kulibayeva. The schools are authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to offer three programmes: the Primary Years Programme (nursery to Year 4), the Middle Years Programme (Years 5–10), and the Diploma Programme (Years 11–12).

There are 661 such schools worldwide, and only four in Kazakhstan. The teaching staff includes specialists from the USA, the UK, Canada and Turkey. Instruction is delivered in Kazakh, English and Russian.

Academic Results and Student Achievements

According to global statistics, only around 8% of IB DP graduates achieve scores of 40 points or higher out of 45 – a level regularly demonstrated by MIRAS students.

In 2025, MIRAS students Zhansaya Bekeeva, Yersultan Erkebulanuly, Togzhan‑Victoria Madiyar and Adiya Seitenova scored 42, 41, 41 and 40 points respectively. Such results open doors to the world’s leading universities and typically come with substantial scholarships.

Where MIRAS Graduates Go

Graduates of the MIRAS Diploma Programme receive offers each year from top universities in Europe, the USA and Asia. According to 2025 graduating‑class data, MIRAS students (Astana and Almaty) received more than 50 offers from universities in the USA, the UK, Canada, Europe and Asia. These include the University of Oxford, New York University, the University of Toronto, the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Politecnico di Torino, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and others.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

To participate in the competition, applicants must submit:

• a written application signed by a parent or legal guardian;
• documents confirming the child’s academic achievements: school report card, certificates and awards.

Testing includes:

• an English language exam;
• mathematics;
• writing an essay.

For IB DP applicants, mathematics is taken in English.

Key Dates

MIRAS Astana:
• Document submission: 19 February – 10 April 2026
• Selection for the next stage: 13 – 24 April 2026
• Testing: 24 April – 23 May 2026
• Announcement of results: 1 – 12 June 2026

MIRAS Almaty:
• Document submission: 20 February – 26 March 2026
• Testing: 1 April – 28 May 2026
• Announcement of results: 15 – 30 June 2026

Contacts:
MIRAS Astana: +7 777 522 7567, grant@miras-astana.kz, Astana, 34 Kuishi Dina St.
MIRAS Almaty: +7 (700) 585 20 40, Admissions@miras.kz, Almaty, 190 Al‑Farabi Ave.