Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme

Application Deadline:23 March 2021

The Orange Knowledge Programme aims to contribute to a society’s sustainable and inclusive development. Its scholarships are open to mid-career professionals in specific countries.

Available courses

Scholarships are available for a selection of:

• short courses (duration 2 weeks to 12 months);
• master’s programmes (duration 12 to 24 months).

All courses that are eligible for an Orange Knowledge Programme scholarship are listed in our database of study programmes. Please find a study, using the filter ‘OKP qualified – Yes’.

Funding and management

This 5-year programme is initiated and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic.

Requirements

The Orange Knowledge Programme individual scholarships are open to mid-career professionals, who are nationals of – and living and working in – the following countries:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, 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 and Zambia.

For whom: criteria
An OKP scholarship is intended to supplement the salary that you should continue to receive during the scholarship period. The scholarship is a contribution towards your costs of living and costs such as tuition fees, visa, travel, insurance etc. You have to cover any difference between the OKP scholarship amount and the actual costs yourself.
You must meet a number of criteria that support the aim of the OKP to be eligible for a scholarship.

The criteria for scholarship applicant are as follows:
• The scholarship applicant works for one of the following types of national and/or local organisations: ministries, secondary or higher vocational or academic education institutions, universities, private sector, commissions or NGOs. The scholarship applicant
may not work for:
o a bilateral or multilateral organisation;
o a non-governmental organisation that is internationally active and is focused on representing social interests, such as development cooperation, nature and environmental protection, health or human rights.
• The scholarship applicant is a professional who, in light of his/her (1) role, (2) multiple years of relevant work experience and (3) networks within a theme relevant to local development, is in a position or through his/her employer could be put in a position to apply what he/she has learned in practice.
• The scholarship applicant holds the nationality of and is resident and working in one of the countries on the OKP Country list (see the document ‘Country List for Short courses and Masters – OKP’ on www.studyinholland.nl/okp )

How to apply

You cannot apply online on this website. You need to first select a course and then contact the education institution of your course and ask how to apply for the scholarship.

You can find a list of courses and institutions that are linked to the Orange Knowledge Programme in our database of study programmes using the filter ‘OKP qualified – Yes’. You can also find contact details of the institutions there.

Application criteria

You cannot apply with us. You need to contact your Dutch education institution. Each institution may have different specific criteria.

For more information on the general eligibility criteria please read: 

OKP information for applicants (168.77 kB)

Please note that there are focus areas for each country. Only applications that fall within the focus area of your country of employment are eligible.

Country focus document Orange Knowledge Programme

Please check the obligations and conditions before you apply:

Obligations for scholarship holders Orange Knowledge Programme

Please check whether your local government requires a government statement:

Government statement requirements Orange Knowledge Programme (138.49 kB)

Deadlines

The 3 expected candidate application rounds for individual scholarships are:

• Round 1: 3 February-23 March 2021 (for courses starting between between 26 July and 21 November 2021)
• Round 2: 12 May-29 June 2021 (for Short Courses starting between 22 November 2021 and 20 February 2022)
• Round 3: 1 September-12 October 2021 (for Short Courses starting on or after 21 February 2022 and ending before 31 August 2022)

Please note that the above deadlines are subject to change until officially announced in the Government Gazette.

Selection procedure

The procedure is as follows:

1. Candidates register with their Dutch education institution
2. Dutch institution nominates candidates and submits grant application
3. Embassies check eligibility and assess applications
4. Selection results published
5. Grants awarded

The Dutch institution can give you more information on the various steps involved in the application and selection procedures, as well as the eligibility criteria. You can find contact information for the Dutch institutions on www.studyfinder.nl.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the NFP–Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) 2021/2022