Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) Scholarships 2020 for Short Courses and Masters

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.

The OKP aims to advance the development of the capacity, knowledge and quality of both individuals as well as organisations both in the field of higher and vocational education and in other fields related to the priority themes in the programme countries.

The scholarships are awarded in a very competitive selection to highly motivated professionals who are in a position to introduce the newly-acquired skills and knowledge into their employing organisation.

Scholarships are available for a selection of:

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

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.

Eligibility.

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:
  • a bilateral or multilateral organisation;
  • 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 is a mid-career professional who is a national of -and living and working in one of the countries listed below:
• They emphasise that these scholarships are also open for applicants from francophone countries.
• The scholarship applicant holds a valid identity document.
• The scholarship applicant has been admitted to the course or programme for which he/she wishes an OKP scholarship.
• The scholarship applicant has provided a government statement with the scholarship application, if this is required by the local government (see the document ‘government statement requirement’ on www.studyinholland.nl/okp ).
• The scholarship applicant demonstrates that the requested co-funding percentage is available to fund the study.
• The employer of the scholarship applicant supports the scholarship application through a positive reference, declares that it will continue to pay the salary of the scholarship recipient during the programme and after his/her return will give the scholarship recipient an opportunity to apply what he/she has learned in practice.

Eligible courses

All courses that are eligible for an Orange Knowledge Programme scholarship are listed in Studyfinder. Please search in Studyfinder, using the filter ‘OKP qualified – Yes’. You can also find contact details of the institutions there.

With regard to eligible courses and programmes:

• The scholarship application is relevant to sustainable development in the country or region where the requesting party is located, and is relevant to the theme concerned. The scholarship application is in line with the Country Plan of Implementation or Country Focus for the country concerned. See the country focus document.
• The course/programme for which the scholarship applicant is applying for a scholarship is registered at www.studyfinder.nl (OKP-qualified ‘yes’).
• The course/programme for which the scholarship applicant is applying for a scholarship is full time, unless it is an e-learning course.
• The course/programme for which the scholarship applicant is applying for a scholarship is offered in English, French or Spanish.
• The course/programme for which the scholarship applicant wishes the OKP scholarship is a Master’s degree programme or short course that meets the requirements set out above.

The scholarship applicant must not receive more than one OKP scholarship for courses/programmes that take place at the same time. If the scholarship applicant submits two or more scholarship applications for courses/programmes that take place at the same time:

• The scholarship application that was registered first in the scholarship application system will be processed;
• The other scholarship application(s) will be declared not eligible.

How to Apply 

Before you apply, make sure you review the eligibility criteria carefully and check whether your employer is willing to nominate you for the scholarship. When you are certain that you are eligible for an OKP scholarship, you can start making the necessary preparations for your application.

Follow these steps to apply:

• First find a course or master’s programme that is eligible for the scholarship. You can find the eligible courses in our study programme database www.studyfinder.nl, specifying in the search criteria: ‘OKP qualified: Yes’.
• Contact the Dutch higher education institution that is offering the course for information on: a. the course content; b. the scholarship application deadline (deadlines can differ per Dutch institution); c. the scholarship application and selection procedures; d. the online application form and the required application documents.
• Prepare your application and the supporting documents
• Submit your online application via the Dutch institution offering the course.

Dates and Deadlines

• There are 3 application rounds for individual scholarships in 2020.
• Application deadlines vary per institution. After selecting a course, you need to contact the Dutch institution directly for more information about the application deadline.
• The 3 candidate application rounds for individual scholarships are:
  • Round 1: closed
  • Round 2: 13 May-30 June (all short course and master’s programmes ending before 31 August 2022)
  • Round 3: 2 September-13 October (short course only)

For any questions on the application or selection procedure please contact the Dutch institution directly.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY