Short course / ProfessionalFully Funded

MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP)

Last verified 9 November 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

Heads up — this listing may be outdated. The dates and details below reference a year that has already passed and our editorial team has not re-verified this scholarship is still open. Always confirm the current intake on the sponsor's official website via the button below before you invest time in an application.

The MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) offers scholarships to professionals for short courses in the Netherlands and facilitates tailor-made training for organizations in the Middle East and North Africa.

Provider: Nuffic / Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Shiraka)
Host country: Netherlands
Deadline: 2025-04-01
Region: Africa

Official source Track this application

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: Mid-career professionals who are nationals of and resident in an eligible MENA / North Africa Shiraka country (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and others). Sub-Saharan African nationals are NOT eligible.
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Short course / Professional
Deadline: 2025-04-01

Key eligibility criteria

Mid-career professionals who are nationals of and resident in an eligible MENA / North Africa Shiraka country (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and others). Sub-Saharan African nationals are NOT eligible.

Recorded funding information

Fully Funded

About the MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) (2026)

## MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) Brief ### Overview The MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) is an initiative designed to foster knowledge exchange and capacity building within organizations across the Middle East and North Africa. Funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Shiraka programme and managed by Nuffic, the MSP aims to strengthen relations between participating countries and the Netherlands. The program achieves this by offering scholarships to professionals for short courses in the Netherlands and facilitating tailor-made training for organizations in the region. Through these initiatives, the MSP contributes to mutual understanding, knowledge sharing, and the development of strong alumni networks. It seeks to empower young professional impact makers to enhance their skills and expertise. ### Benefits Selected participants in the MENA Scholarship Programme receive fully-funded scholarships for short courses in the Netherlands. This comprehensive funding covers various expenses related to the study period, allowing professionals to focus on their learning and development without financial burdens. Beyond individual scholarships, the MSP also offers a "Tailor-Made Training" component for groups of professionals or entire organizations. This specialized training is customized to meet specific needs, providing accessible and relevant education that directly impacts the participants' work environment and organizational effectiveness. The program also supports the building of strong alumni networks, fostering continued collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants. ### Eligibility The MSP scholarship program is open to professionals who are nationals of, currently living in, and working in one of the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, and Tunisia. Please note that Sudan will not be part of the MSP scholarships application rounds in 2025 due to current circumstances. While professionals with Syrian nationality may apply, they must be residing and working in one of the other eligible MSP countries. Specific eligibility criteria for individual scholarships and tailor-made training may vary and applicants are advised to consult the host institutions or calls for proposals for detailed requirements. ### Required Documents The official page for the MENA Scholarship Programme does not explicitly list required documents for the application. However, it states that applications are handled by host institutions (Dutch knowledge institutions/universities), and each educational institution has its own criteria and deadlines. Therefore, prospective applicants should refer to the specific educational institution to which they are applying for information on required documents. Generally, scholarship applications often require academic transcripts, a resume/CV, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and proof of English proficiency, but these are general assumptions and not stated facts from the source material. ### How to Apply For individual scholarships, participants seeking to apply for the MENA Scholarship Programme should visit www.MSPnuffic.nl. It is important to note that applications are handled by the host institutions, which are Dutch knowledge institutions and universities. Each of these institutions has its own specific criteria and deadlines. Therefore, applicants are strongly advised to refer directly to the educational institution to which they intend to apply for detailed information regarding requirements and application procedures. For the Tailor-Made Training component, organizations with a training need in one of the designated focus areas for their country can submit an application in response to calls for proposals published by Nuffic. ### Key Dates The next scholarship rounds for individual scholarships will open on April 1, 2025. More information regarding these rounds will be available on the Study in NL website. For the Tailor-Made Training component, calls for proposals are published regularly, inviting organizations to apply. Specific criteria and deadlines for these calls will be published within the respective calls for proposals. Applicants for individual scholarships should also be aware that each host educational institution will have its own specific deadlines, which they must consult directly. ### Selection Criteria While the official page does not explicitly detail the selection criteria for individual scholarships, it states that applications are handled by host institutions (Dutch knowledge institutions/universities), and each educational institution has its own criteria. Therefore, prospective applicants should consult the specific educational institution to which they are applying for information on their selection process. For the Tailor-Made Training component, specific criteria will be published within the calls for proposals. Generally, scholarship programs often look for candidates with strong academic records, relevant professional experience, leadership potential, and a clear motivation for how the program will benefit their career and country. However, these are general considerations and not stated facts from the source material. ### Tips * **Research Host Institutions Thoroughly:** Since applications for individual scholarships are handled by host institutions, meticulously research the Dutch knowledge institutions and universities offering short courses. Pay close attention to their specific application criteria and deadlines. * **Monitor "Study in NL" and Nuffic Websites:** Regularly check the Study in NL website for updates on scholarship rounds and the Nuffic website for calls for proposals related to Tailor-Made Training. * **Understand Your Country's Focus Areas:** For organizations interested in Tailor-Made Training, ensure your proposed training aligns with the focus areas selected for your country. * **Prepare in Advance:** While specific documents aren't listed, it's wise to prepare general application materials like a resume, academic records, and a statement of purpose, as these are commonly required for scholarships. * **Direct Inquiries for Clarity:** If you have specific questions, especially regarding the application process or required documents, directly contact the educational institution you are interested in or utilize the contact email provided by Nuffic for program inquiries. ### Official Source For the most up-to-date and comprehensive information, please refer to the official MENA Scholarship Programme page: [https://www.nuffic.nl/en/international/mena-scholarship-programme-msp](https://www.nuffic.nl/en/international/mena-scholarship-programme-msp)

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

Fully Funded

MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Mid-career professionals who are nationals of and resident in an eligible MENA / North Africa Shiraka country (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and others). Sub-Saharan African nationals are NOT eligible.

MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://www.nuffic.nl/en/international/mena-scholarship-programme-msp to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: Mid-career professionals who are nationals of and resident in an eligible MENA / North Africa Shiraka country (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and others). Sub-Saharan African nationals are NOT eligible.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: 2025-04-01. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) deadline & application timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (2025-04-01). Earlier dates are approximate planning suggestions, not provider milestones or requirements. No cutoff time or time zone is added.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
6 Apr 2024
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
3 Oct 2024
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
1 Jan 2025
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
2 Mar 2025
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
2025-04-01
Provider deadline information: 2025-04-01. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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Editorial verification note

Next scholarship round opens April 1, 2025.

Last checked 11/9/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP)?+

Mid-career professionals who are nationals of and resident in an eligible MENA / North Africa Shiraka country (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and others). Sub-Saharan African nationals are NOT eligible.

What funding does the MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) offer?+

Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: 2025-04-01. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://www.nuffic.nl/en/international/mena-scholarship-programme-msp to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Mid-career professionals who are nationals of and resident in an eligible MENA / North Africa Shiraka country (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and others). Sub-Saharan African nationals are NOT eligible.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: 2025-04-01. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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