Study in the Netherlands for Free: Apply for the IHE Delft Scholarship 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Dutch Water Trade Scholarship at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. The scholarship is offered under the Water and Development Partnership Programme and is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This fully funded opportunity is available for international students applying for the two-year Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development in the Netherlands.

The programme is connected to an international research project that examines the impact of Dutch private sector involvement in global water management and development cooperation. Researchers will explore both the benefits and challenges of Dutch water expertise and how it affects communities, ecosystems, and water resources around the world.

Selected scholars will engage in research areas such as:

Industrial water extraction
Coastal dredging
Agribusiness and water use
Sustainable water governance
Water justice and development cooperation

The scholarship combines academic learning, field research, internships, policy engagement, and advocacy activities.

Scholarship Benefits

The fully funded scholarship covers:

Full tuition fees
International travel expenses
Accommodation and living allowance
Health insurance
Field research costs
Academic and professional development support

What Scholars Will Do

Successful applicants will:

Conduct MSc research within the Dutch Water Trade project
Participate in internships related to water governance and policy advocacy
Contribute to seminars, academic publications, and project activities
Work closely with international research teams and partner organisations

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, applicants must:

Apply and secure admission into the Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft
Be citizens of eligible non-European low- or middle-income countries
Be interested in research related to sustainability, water justice, and development
Be willing to participate in internships and advocacy activities
Submit required English language test results before the deadline
Show commitment to returning to their home country or another priority country after the programme

Preference will be given to:

Female applicants
Candidates with excellent academic records
Applicants with social science or ethnographic research experience
Individuals with relevant professional experience

Eligible Countries

Applicants from non-European low- and middle-income countries are eligible, especially candidates from:

The Horn of Africa
The Sahel region
The Middle East
Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Priority countries include:

Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Nigeria, Palestine, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Fiji, Jamaica, Haiti, Maldives, Samoa, and others.

Important Dates