MENA Short Courses Scholarship Programme (MSP) in the Netherlands 2025/26

If you're a young professional from the Middle East or North Africa seeking to enhance your skills and contribute to your country's development, the MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) offers a unique opportunity. Applications are now open for fully funded short courses in the Netherlands in 2025. These courses, ranging from 2 to 13 weeks, are designed to build capacity within organisations by enabling employees to participate in intensive training across various fields. The MSP is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and administered by Nuffic, aiming to foster positive change in the MENA region through education and knowledge exchange.

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🗒️ Scholarship Summary

• Location: Netherlands

• Host Institutions: Various Dutch universities and training centres

• Study Level: Short courses (2 to 13 weeks)

• Target Group: Mid-career professionals from MENA countries

• Fields of Study: Urban governance, water management, gender equality, media, development, and more

• Funding: Fully funded (tuition, travel, visa, accommodation, insurance)

• Duration: 2 to 13 weeks

• Application Deadline: Varies by institution; generally between 6 May and 20 May 2025

• Start Date: Courses commence between late 2025 and early 2026

• Eligible Countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia

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🎓 Scholarship Overview

The MSP is tailored for professionals aged 45 or younger, aiming to contribute to the development of their home countries. Courses are offered in English or French and cover a broad spectrum of topics aligned with the priority themes of each participating country. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their chosen course aligns with their country's development goals and their personal career trajectory.

🧩 Course Structure and Activities

Courses are delivered by esteemed Dutch institutions and encompass a mix of lectures, interactive workshops, case studies, and field visits. Participants engage in collaborative learning environments, fostering cross-cultural exchanges and networking opportunities. The curriculum is designed to be practical and applicable, enabling participants to implement learned strategies within their organisations upon return.

📚 Eligible Short Courses

The following courses are eligible for the next scholarship application round:

2025

• Integrity and Anti-Corruption

• Local Economic Development

• Multilevel Water Governance

• Gender Responsive Governance

• Fiscal Decentralisation and Local Finance

• Digital Transformation in the Public Sector

2026

• Local Security and Peacebuilding

• Citizen Participation and Inclusive Governance

• Inclusive Service Delivery and WASH

• Urban Governance: Resilient and Smart Cities

• Local Climate Response

• Migration and Local Authorities

🌐 For more details on course content, click this link

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🎁 Scholarship Benefits

• Full coverage of tuition fees

• International travel expenses

• Visa and insurance costs

• Accommodation and daily allowances

• Access to a global network of professionals and experts

• Enhanced skills and knowledge applicable to home country contexts

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✅ Eligibility Criteria

1. Be a national and resident of one of the eligible MENA countries

2. Be employed and have at least two years of relevant work experience

3. Be 45 years old or younger at the time of application

4. Have an employer's statement supporting their application and confirming their return post-training

5. Possess a valid passport

6. Not be employed by organisations with their own staff development programmes (e.g., multinational corporations, international NGOs)

7. Demonstrate proficiency in English or French, depending on the course language

8. Align with the thematic focus areas defined by their country's Dutch embassy (For the priorities of the MENA Scholarships Programme (MSP), follow this link)

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📝 Application Procedure

Step 1: Course Admission

• Identify an eligible short course offered by a Dutch institution

• Apply directly to the institution for admission

• Ensure you meet all academic and professional requirements

Step 2: Scholarship Application

Upon receiving admission, apply for the MSP scholarship through the institution's guidance

Submit the following documents:

• Valid passport copy

• Signed employer's statement (using Nuffic's format)

• Government statement (if applicable)

• Motivation letter addressing the relevance of the course to your work and country's development

💡 Note: Application deadlines vary by institution. For instance, The Hague Academy's deadline is 6 May 2025, while others may extend to 20 May 2025. It's crucial to check specific deadlines with the chosen institution.

🕵🏻 For detailed information about the application process, visit this webpage

🔗 CALL LINK

MENA Short Courses Scholarship Programme (MSP) in the Netherlands

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