NUFFIC (DUTCH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS)
Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) Scholarships
full · masters
- Fully fundedTuition, living, travel & insurance
- ~EUR 25,000 (est.)Typical total per master's award
- 2 weeks to 24 monthsCourse / programme length
- ~38 countriesEligible OKP partner countries
- Mid-careerTarget applicants
- English or FrenchLanguage requirement
At a glance
full
Funding
€40k
Max amount
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
Bangladesh
Country
Nuffic (Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Provider
The Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) is a Dutch government scholarship managed by Nuffic and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supporting mid-career professionals from developing countries to study in the Netherlands. Its goal is to promote sustainable and inclusive development by strengthening the skills of professionals already in work. The programme funds two options: short courses lasting from 2 weeks up to 12 months, and master's programmes lasting 12 to 24 months. Only a limited number of awards is granted, to motivated female and male professionals who live and work in one of roughly 38 listed OKP partner countries, such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria and Vietnam. Applicants must be proficient in English or French, work in an area that matches one of the priority themes set for their country, show they will transfer the knowledge gained back to their employer, and agree to the OKP obligations. The scholarship is fully funded, covering tuition, a living allowance, insurance and travel costs, with the exact amount depending on the course and its length. Because deadlines vary per round and institution and the partner-country list is reset over time, confirm the current-cycle figures, focus areas and closing dates on the official Nuffic OKP page before applying.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — Full coverage of the tuition or course fee for the chosen short course or master's programme at a Dutch institution.
- Living allowance — A monthly living allowance to cover accommodation and daily costs in the Netherlands for the duration of study, worth roughly ~EUR 1,200 (est.) per month depending on the programme.
- Travel costs — An allowance toward international travel to and from the Netherlands for the study period, typically worth ~EUR 1,000 (est.).
- Insurance — Coverage for health and liability insurance required during study in the Netherlands.
- Study-related costs — Allowances toward visa, study materials and other study-related expenses set out in the OKP conditions.
How to apply
Applications go through your chosen Dutch educational institution; you must first confirm your eligibility and the OKP focus areas for your country.
- Check the focus areas — Verify that your work aligns with the OKP focus areas specified for your country, and confirm you meet the OKP eligibility criteria.
- Choose a course — Explore the OKP course list and use the 'Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)' filter to find an eligible short course or master's programme.
- Get employer nomination — Consult your employer about their willingness to nominate you for an OKP scholarship and provide an employer statement.
- Contact the institution — Contact your preferred Dutch educational institution for the application process, academic requirements and the online application link.
- Prepare and submit — Prepare your documents (employer statement, motivation letter, passport and a government statement if needed) and submit online when the round opens, before the institution's deadline.
Eligibility
Nationality and residenceNational of, and currently living and working in, one of the listed OKP partner countries.
Employment fitWork must align with one of the priority areas designated for the applicant's country.
LanguageProficiency in English or French, as required by the chosen programme.
Knowledge transferAble to demonstrate motivation to use and transfer the acquired knowledge within the employing organization after study.
OKP conditionsAgreement to comply with all obligations and conditions of the Orange Knowledge Programme.
A restricted number of scholarships is awarded to both female and male professionals. Eligibility depends on the priority areas defined for each country, which can change between rounds.
Eligible countries
Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia
Deadlines
2026/2027 OKP rounds~31 March 2026 (est.), varies by institution
Selection
Awards are made to a limited number of motivated female and male professionals whose work aligns with the priority themes for their country and who can show they will transfer their new knowledge back to their employing organization. Applications are processed through the Dutch host institution against the OKP eligibility criteria and the focus areas set for each country.
Verified sources
- Nuffic - Orange Knowledge Programmenuffic.nlofficial
- StudyinNL - Orange Knowledge Programmestudyinnl.orgofficial
About the provider
Nuffic is the Dutch national organisation for internationalisation in education, based in The Hague. On behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs it managed the Orange Knowledge Programme, a development-focused scholarship scheme that funded mid-career professionals from partner countries to take short courses and master's programmes in the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who funds the Orange Knowledge Programme?
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It is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education.
What can the scholarship be used for?
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It funds two options: short courses lasting 2 weeks to 12 months, and master's programmes lasting 12 to 24 months at Dutch institutions.
What does it cover?
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It is fully funded, typically covering tuition, a living allowance, travel, insurance and other study-related costs, with the amount depending on the course and its length.
Who is eligible?
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Mid-career professionals who are nationals of, and living and working in, a listed OKP partner country, whose work aligns with the priority areas for that country.
Which countries are eligible?
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Roughly 38 partner countries, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Vietnam and others on the OKP list.
What language do I need?
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Proficiency in English or French, as required by the chosen programme.
Do I need my employer's support?
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Yes. You typically need an employer statement or nomination and must show you will transfer the knowledge gained back to your organization.
How do I apply?
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You apply through your chosen Dutch educational institution, after confirming your eligibility and the OKP focus areas for your country.
Are both women and men eligible?
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Yes. A limited number of awards is granted to motivated female and male professionals.
Can recent graduates with no job apply?
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No. The OKP targets mid-career professionals who are currently living and working in an eligible country.
When is the deadline?
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Deadlines vary per round and per institution; the main round has historically closed around late March, so expect roughly 31 March 2026 (est.). Confirm the exact date with your institution.
Where do I confirm the official details?
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On the official Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme page and StudyinNL, which publish the binding eligibility, partner-country list, focus areas and deadlines each cycle.