IHE Delft Water and Sustainable Development Scholarship (2026)
Scholarship Description
The IHE Delft Water and Sustainable Development Scholarship is offered under the IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This prestigious scholarship is designed to strengthen water sector capacity and nurture networks of water professionals in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other focus regions.
IHE Delft is the world's largest international graduate water education facility, operating under the auspices of UNESCO. The scholarship supports the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development, combining academic excellence with practical research conducted in the student's home country.
Scholarship Location
The scholarship is tenable at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft, the Netherlands. However, students are required to conduct their MSc research in their home country or region, in association with projects supported by the programme.
Scholarship Deadline
The deadline to apply for this scholarship is 1 June 2025. The outcome of the scholarship selection will be announced on 1 July 2025.
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
Outcome Announcement: July 1, 2025
English Test Deadline: If required, English test results must be received by June 1, 2025 to remain eligible.
Important: Apply for admission to the MSc programme as early as possible. It can take time to complete the admission process.
Host Institution
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education – the world's largest international graduate water education facility, operating under the auspices of UNESCO. Based in Delft, the Netherlands, IHE Delft has trained thousands of water professionals from over 160 countries.
Level and Fields of Study
Level: Master of Science (MSc) – regular or research variant.
Programme: MSc in Water and Sustainable Development. This programme covers integrated water resources management, water security, climate adaptation, sustainable development, and related fields.
Target Group
Nationals of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) who are living and/or working in one of the eligible countries. The scholarship particularly encourages applications from female candidates and those with relevant work experience in the water sector.
Scholarship Types, Duration & Amount
Full scholarships include the total cost of the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development:
- Full tuition fees
- Insurance coverage
- International travel costs
- Allowance of €1,220 per month for living expenses and accommodation during the complete study period
Partial scholarships are also available. If you are able to arrange partial funding from other sources (private means, employer, or other scholarships), you may apply for the remaining funds to complement your scholarship fees. In such cases, please contact Ineke Melis, Coordinator of the Fellowship and Admission Office: [email protected].
Duration: The scholarship covers the full duration of the MSc programme (typically 12–18 months).
Scholarship Eligibility
Country eligibility: Applicants must be nationals of one of the following Small Island Developing States (SIDS):
🇸🇧 Eligible Countries: Belize, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Federated States 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, Vanuatu.
Academic requirements: Academic admission to the regular or research variant of the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft.
Residence requirement: Living and/or working in one of the eligible countries.
Research commitment: Agree to conduct MSc research in your home country or region, associated with one of the projects implemented by the Programme.
Network participation: Active participation in and contribution to seminars organized for the learning networks of the Programme.
Return commitment: Confirmation to return to your country of origin or another priority country of the programme after completing your studies.
English language requirement: Most applicants must submit valid English test results (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) by 1 June 2025. Exempted countries: Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines do not need to submit an English test score.
✅ Selection Priorities
- Strong priority for female candidates
- Strong motivation (you must answer 5 motivation questions in your online application)
- Strong academic background
- Preference for candidates with relevant work experience
- Candidates able to arrange co-funding from other sources (when candidates are otherwise equal)
❌ Ineligible Candidates
- Nationals of countries not listed as SIDS eligible countries
- Applicants who are not living or working in an eligible country
- Those who do not meet the English language requirement (unless exempted)
- Applicants who have not been admitted to the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development
- Those unwilling to conduct research in their home country or participate in learning networks
Application Procedure
You do not need to complete a separate scholarship application form. If you are a national of an eligible SIDS country and meet the eligibility criteria, you will be automatically considered for the scholarship after you have:
- Applied for admission to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft.
- Received your academic admission letter from IHE Delft.
Important recommendations:
- Apply for admission to the MSc programme as early as possible.
- Prepare your English language skills and, if required, sign up for an English test well in advance. Results must be received by 1 June 2025.
- Apply for other scholarships for which you are eligible, including partial funding options.
- If you are eligible for the Rabbani Scholarship, you are advised to apply for that as well.
- If you have partial funding from another source, email Ineke Melis at [email protected] to discuss complementary funding.
Motivation questions: In your online application for admission, you will need to answer 5 motivation questions. These are critical for scholarship selection.
Official Website & Application Link
IHE Delft – SIDS Scholarships Official Page
MSc Programme Information: IHE Delft Master Programmes
Scholarship Queries: [email protected] (Ineke Melis, Coordinator Fellowship and Admission Office)
💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements
The IHE Delft Water and Sustainable Development Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for water professionals from Small Island Developing States. With full funding covering tuition, living allowance, travel, and insurance, it removes financial barriers to world-class water education. The scholarship is highly competitive, with strong priority given to female candidates and those with relevant work experience.
Key success factors: A strong academic background, compelling answers to the 5 motivation questions, and a clear commitment to return to your home country and contribute to local water sector development through research and network participation.
Critical deadline reminder: The deadline is 1 June 2025. If you require an English test, ensure your results reach IHE Delft by this date. Apply for admission as early as possible — the scholarship is awarded automatically after admission, but only if you meet all eligibility criteria.
Special note: Students from Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines are exempt from the English test requirement.
IHE Delft Water and Sustainable Development Scholarship – FAQ
What does the full scholarship cover?
The full scholarship covers tuition fees, insurance, international travel costs, and a monthly allowance of €1,220 for living expenses and accommodation.
Who is eligible for this scholarship?
Nationals of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) who are living or working in an eligible country, have been admitted to the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development, and commit to conducting research in their home country.
Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application?
No. If you are from an eligible SIDS country and meet the criteria, you will be automatically considered after you apply for admission and receive your admission letter.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 1 June 2025. English test results (if required) must also be received by this date.
Is there priority for certain applicants?
Yes. Strong priority is given to female candidates. Preference is also given to candidates with strong motivation, strong academic backgrounds, relevant work experience, and those who can arrange co-funding (when candidates are otherwise equal).
Do I need an English test?
Most applicants do. However, nationals of Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines are exempted from submitting an English test score.
Where will I study?
You will study at IHE Delft in the Netherlands, but you must conduct your MSc research in your home country or region, associated with a project supported by the programme.
Can I apply if I have partial funding from elsewhere?
Yes. Contact Ineke Melis at [email protected] to discuss using scholarship funds to complement your existing funding.