MastersFully Funded (full scholarships include tuition, insurance, international travel, and EURO 1,220/month for living/accommodation). Partial scholarships also available. 264 days left

SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft

The SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offer full and partial scholarships for an MSc in Water and Sustainable Development. The scholarships are for nationals of eligible Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and cover tuition, travel, and living costs. Applicants must have academic admission to the MSc program and commit to conducting research in their home country/region and returning after studies. The deadline is 1 June 2026 annually. There is a strong priority for female candidates. Visit the official website for detailed information.

Provider: IHE Delft
Host country: Netherlands
Deadline: Expected June 1, 2027 (annual cycle)

Official source Track this application

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft is open to African students applying to study in Netherlands at the Masters level, with fully funded (full scholarships include tuition, insurance, international travel, and euro 1,220/month for living/accommodation). partial scholarships also available. 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: Masters · applicants for Netherlands
Funding: Fully Funded (full scholarships include tuition, insurance, international travel, and EURO 1,220/month for living/accommodation). Partial scholarships also available.
Study level: Masters
Deadline: Expected June 1, 2027 (annual cycle)

Key eligibility criteria

Nationals from specified SIDS countries
academic admission to MSc in Water and Sustainable Development (regular or research variant)
living and/or working in an eligible country
agree to conduct MSc research in home country/region associated with programme projects

See full eligibility criteria ↓

What the fully funded (full scholarships include tuition, insurance, international travel, and euro 1,220/month for living/accommodation). partial scholarships also available. award covers

Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

About the SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft (2026)

# SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft ## Overview The SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft offer a unique opportunity for individuals from eligible Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to pursue a Master of Science (MSc) in Water and Sustainable Development. These scholarships are part of the IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme, generously funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The program aims to strengthen capacity and foster a network of water professionals in the focus regions and countries it serves. The scholarships are designed to support academic excellence and practical application, with a strong emphasis on addressing water-related challenges within the scholars' home countries/regions. The program commences in September 2026, offering a comprehensive academic experience at IHE Delft in the Netherlands. ## Benefits These scholarships provide substantial financial support to successful applicants. Both full and partial scholarships are available, with full scholarships covering a wide range of expenses to ensure students can focus entirely on their studies. A full scholarship includes the total cost of the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development, encompassing tuition fees and insurance. Additionally, international travel costs are covered, and scholars receive a monthly allowance of EURO 1,220 for living expenses and accommodation throughout the entire study period. This comprehensive funding package aims to alleviate financial burdens, making the program accessible to talented individuals who might otherwise be unable to pursue such an opportunity. ## Eligibility To be considered for the SIDS Scholarships, applicants must meet several key criteria. They must be nationals of one of the specified eligible countries, which include Belize, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Federated State of Micronesia, Montserrat, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome & Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Crucially, applicants must have academic admission to either the regular or research variant of the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development. They must also be living and/or working in one of the eligible countries. A commitment to conduct their MSc research in their country/region, associated with a project implemented by the Programme, is required, along with active participation in and contribution to the seminars organized for the program's learning networks. Lastly, applicants must confirm their intention to return to their country of origin or another priority country of the programme upon completion of their studies. ## Required Documents While the application process for the scholarship is integrated with the admission application, specific documents are necessary for academic admission and implicitly for scholarship consideration. One of the two required recommendation letters must be an employer statement from the applicant's current employer. This letter should adhere to the guidelines provided on the official website. Applicants should ensure all academic transcripts, degrees, and other supporting documents required for general admission to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development are meticulously prepared and submitted as per IHE Delft's admission requirements. It is essential to refer to the official website for a comprehensive list of all necessary documents for academic admission. ## How to Apply Prospective applicants do not need to complete a separate application form specifically for this scholarship. The application process is streamlined: if you are a national from one of the eligible countries and fulfill all the eligibility criteria, you will be automatically considered for the scholarship. This consideration occurs after you have successfully applied for admission to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development and have received your academic admission letter. Therefore, the primary step is to apply for admission to the MSc programme at IHE Delft. It is paramount to visit the official scholarship website to access the application form for admission and to obtain detailed, up-to-date information on the entire application procedure. Ensure all admission requirements are met by the deadline. ## Key Dates Applicants should be aware of the critical deadlines associated with this scholarship opportunity. The application deadline for this scholarship is **1 June 2026**. This date is consistent annually, so prospective applicants should mark their calendars accordingly. The course for the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development is scheduled to commence in **September 2026**. It is crucial to remember that the deadline for scholarship consideration is tied to the admission application deadline, meaning all necessary admission documents must be submitted by 1 June 2026 to be automatically considered for the scholarship. Timely submission is highly encouraged to avoid any last-minute issues. ## Selection Criteria The selection for the SIDS Scholarships is primarily based on meeting the stringent eligibility criteria. Beyond the nationality and academic admission requirements, there is a strong priority given to female candidates, indicating an effort to promote gender balance in the field of water and sustainable development. Applicants' commitment to conducting their MSc research in their home country/region, associated with a program project, and their willingness to actively participate in learning networks, are also crucial factors. Furthermore, the confirmation of their intention to return to their country of origin or a priority country of the program underscores the scholarship's aim to build local capacity. The overall academic merit and the potential impact of the applicant's future contributions to water management in SIDS countries will likely play a significant role in the selection process. ## Tips To maximize your chances of securing this scholarship, thoroughly review all eligibility requirements and ensure you meet each one. Start your application for academic admission to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development well in advance of the deadline, as this is the primary gateway to scholarship consideration. Pay particular attention to the employer statement, ensuring it adheres to the official guidelines and highlights your relevance to the field. If you are a female candidate, be aware of the strong priority given to women. Clearly articulate in your application materials your commitment to conducting research in your home country/region and contributing to local water challenges. Demonstrate your active interest in participating in learning networks and your dedication to returning to your home country to apply your acquired knowledge. Finally, always refer to the official scholarship website for the most accurate and current information. ## Official Source For the most comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date information regarding the SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft, please refer to the official scholarship website: [https://www.un-ihe.org/education/master-programmes/sids-scholarships](https://www.un-ihe.org/education/master-programmes/sids-scholarships). This official page provides detailed application instructions, eligibility criteria, required documents, and any other pertinent information directly from the scholarship provider. It is crucial to consult this source for any clarifications or updates, as information on third-party sites may not always be current. Remember, your reliance on information from non-official sources is at your own risk. Always prioritize the official website for application purposes.

What the Fully Funded (full scholarships include tuition, insurance, international travel, and EURO 1,220/month for living/accommodation). Partial scholarships also available. SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft 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.

Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft eligibility for Netherlands applicants

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

Nationals from specified SIDS countries
academic admission to MSc in Water and Sustainable Development (regular or research variant)
living and/or working in an eligible country
agree to conduct MSc research in home country/region associated with programme projects
active participation in learning networks
confirmation to return to country of origin or priority country after studies
employer statement as one of two recommendation letters.

Documents required for the SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft 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
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
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 SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft 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.un-ihe.org/education/master-programmes/sids-scholarships and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Nationals from specified SIDS countries; academic admission to MSc in Water and Sustainable Development (regular or research variant); living and/or working in an eligible country; agree to conduct MSc research in home c…". 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.un-ihe.org/education/master-programmes/sids-scholarships, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Aim to have the full draft complete by 2 Apr 2027. Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Expected June 1, 2027 (annual cycle) (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours before the 1 Jun 2027 deadline. 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, IHE Delft 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.

SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft deadline & application timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (Expected June 1, 2027 (annual cycle)). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.

12 months out
6 Jun 2026
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
3 Dec 2026
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
3 Mar 2027
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
2 May 2027
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
1 Jun 2027
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.

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by IHE Delft, and be able to relocate to Netherlands for the duration of the programme.

Is the SIDS Scholarships in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded (full scholarships include tuition, insurance, international travel, and EURO 1,220/month for living/accommodation). Partial scholarships also available.. 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 Expected June 1, 2027 (annual cycle). 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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