On 1 July 2017, the Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) entered a new phase as a new program under the name Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP). OKP is initiated and fully funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Orange Knowledge Programme aims to advance the development of the capacity, knowledge, and quality of both individuals as well as organizations in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education and in other fields related to priority themes in the OKP partner 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 organization.
Course level:
- Short courses (duration 2 weeks to 12 months);
- Master’s programmes (duration 12 – 24 months).
Fields of study: All courses that are eligible for an Orange Knowledge Programme scholarship are listed in Studyfinder. Please search in Studyfinder, using the filter ‘Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)’.
Institution and country: This scholarship can be taken in participating higher education institutions in The Netherlands. You can find a list of courses and institutions that are linked to the Orange Knowledge Programme in Studyfinder, using the filter ‘Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)’. You can also find the contact details of the institutions there.
Sponsor: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nuffic
Scholarship inclusions: 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 criteria for the Orange Knowledge Programme:
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The Orange Knowledge Programme individual scholarships are open to mid-career professionals, who are nationals of – and living and working in – the following 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, and Zambia. - The scholarship applicant works for one of the following types of national and/or local organizations: 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 organization;
- a non-governmental organization that is internationally active and is focused on representing social interests, such as development cooperation, nature, 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 a valid identity document.
- The scholarship applicant has been admitted to the course or program 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 program and after his/her return will give the scholarship recipient an opportunity to apply what he/she has learned in practice.
Application deadline:
The 3 candidate application rounds for individual scholarships are:
- Round 1 – for master’s and short courses
- Accepting applications between 2 February – 22 March 2022, 16.00 CET.
- Both master’s and short courses should start between 25 July and 21 November 2022.
- Round 2 – for short courses
- Accepting applications between 11 May – 28 June 2022, 16.00 CET.
- Courses should start between 21 November 2022 and 20 February 2023.
- Round 3 – for short courses
- Accepting applications between 31 August – 11 October 2022, 16.00 CET.
- Courses should start from 20 February 2023 onward and must be completed before 31 August 2023.
How to apply for the Orange Knowledge Programme:
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:
1. First, find a course or master’s program that is eligible for the scholarship. You can find the eligible courses in our study program database www.studyfinder.nl, specifying in the search criteria: ‘Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)’.
2. Contact the Dutch higher education institution that is offering the course for information on:
- the course content;
- the scholarship application deadline (deadlines can differ per Dutch institution);
- the scholarship application and selection procedures;
- the online application form and the required application documents.
3. Prepare your application and the supporting documents
4. Submit your online application via the Dutch institution offering the course.
For any questions on the application or selection procedure please contact the Dutch institution directly.
Other useful links:
