Short course / ProfessionalFully Funded

MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP)

Last verified 18 May 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Heads up — this listing may be outdated.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: Not available — check official website
Region: Africa

Official source

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) is open to African students applying to study in Netherlands at the Short course / Professional level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Short course / Professional · applicants for Netherlands
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Short course / Professional
Deadline: Not available — check official website

Key eligibility criteria

Professionals who are nationals of - and living and working in - Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, or Tunisia. Professionals with Syrian nationality may apply if residing and working in one of the other eligible MSP countries. Sudan is excluded from 2025 rounds.

What the fully funded award covers

Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

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)

What the Fully Funded MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) eligibility for Netherlands applicants

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

Professionals who are nationals of - and living and working in - Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, or Tunisia. Professionals with Syrian nationality may apply if residing and working in one of the other eligible MSP countries. Sudan is excluded from 2025 rounds.

Documents required for the MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

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

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.nuffic.nl/en/international/mena-scholarship-programme-msp and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Professionals who are nationals of - and living and working in - Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, or Tunisia. Professionals with Syrian nationality may apply if residing and …". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.nuffic.nl/en/international/mena-scholarship-programme-msp, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Not available — check official website (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Nuffic / Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Shiraka) will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

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

Visit official site

Editorial verification note

AI returned past date "April 1, 2025". The next scholarship rounds will open on this date; specific deadlines are set by host institutions.

Last checked 5/18/2026

Frequently asked questions

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

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Short course / Professional level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Nuffic / Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Shiraka), and be able to relocate to Netherlands for the duration of the programme.

Is the MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Not available — check official website. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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