Are you a passionate water professional from the Sahel, Middle East, or Horn of Africa looking to advance your career? The IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is currently accepting applications for its 2026 scholarship program!
This is a phenomenal opportunity to study in the Netherlands, network with international water experts, and gain world-class education through the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development.
Read on to discover the benefits, eligible countries, and how you can apply before the June 2026 deadline.
🏆 IHE Delft Scholarships Benefits: What is Covered?
The IHE Delft program offers both full and partial scholarships to help water professionals strengthen capacity in focus regions.
If selected for a Full Scholarship, you will receive comprehensive financial support covering the total cost of your master’s degree, including:
- Full tuition fees for the MSc programme
- Comprehensive health insurance
- International travel costs
- A generous monthly living and accommodation allowance of €1,220
Note: Applicants who can secure partial funding from other sources (such as an employer or private means) are highly encouraged to apply for the remaining funds to complement their tuition.
🌍 Eligible Countries
This specific scholarship is geographically targeted to nurture networks of water professionals in key regions. You must be a national of one of the following countries to apply:
The Middle East
- Egypt
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Palestine
- Yemen
The Horn of Africa
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Uganda
The Sahel
- Burkina Faso
- Mali
- Niger
- Nigeria
📋 Eligibility & Selection Criteria
To be considered for the IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme scholarship, applicants must meet several strict requirements:
Academic & Professional Requirements
- Academic Admission: You must first secure academic admission to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development.
- Residency: You must currently be living and/or working in one of the eligible countries listed above.
- English Proficiency: You must submit sufficient English test results by the deadline. (Exception: Applicants from Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda are exempted from submitting an English test score).
Programme Commitments
- Research Focus: You must agree to conduct your MSc research in your home country/region, specifically associated with a project supported by the Programme.
- Network Participation: You must actively participate in and contribute to seminars organized by the programme’s learning networks.
- Return Home: You must officially confirm your intent to return to your country of origin (or another priority country) upon graduation.
Who Gets Priority?
During the selection process, the committee will prioritize:
- Female candidates (highly encouraged to apply)
- Applicants with a strong academic background and relevant work experience
- Candidates who display strong motivation (assessed via 5 motivation questions in the application)
- Candidates who have secured co-funding from other sources (in cases of equal suitability)
✉️ The Mandatory Employer Statement
A critical part of your application is the Employer Statement. One of your two required recommendation letters for admission must come from your current employer and meet these exact specifications:
- Written on official company letterhead, dated, and signed.
- Explains exactly how your new knowledge and skills will contribute to the organization’s future activities.
- Confirms you will return to the organization after completing your MSc at IHE Delft.
- Indicates which project(s) funded by the Water and Development Partnership Programme your organization is involved in (if applicable).
Important: If your recommendation letter does not meet these exact criteria, you will not be eligible for the scholarship!
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📅 Timeline & Application Procedure
Deadline to Apply: 1 June 2026
Outcome Announcement: 1 July 2026
How to Apply:
The best part? There is no separate scholarship application form.
If you are a national from an eligible country and meet all the criteria, you will be automatically considered for the scholarship once you apply for admission and receive your academic admission letter.
Because funding is limited, we strongly advise applying to the regular or research master’s program at IHE Delft as soon as possible. Brush up on your English, book your language test early (if your country is not exempt), and secure your employer’s recommendation letter today!
Don’t miss this chance to become a leader in global water sustainability. Head over to the official IHE Delft website to start your MSc admission application today!
