Study in the Netherlands | Kipaji Master’s Scholarship 2026

January 6, 2026 7:50 am

Study in the Netherlands | Kipaji Master’s Scholarship 2026

For outstanding students from the world’s lowest-income nations, a unique opportunity can make postgraduate studies in Europe a reality. The Kipaji Scholarship for the 2026–2027 academic year is now open, offering crucial supplementary funding for master’s students at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. This unique award, funded by the university’s alumni community, is specifically designed to close the financial gap for talented individuals who have already secured partial support but need extra help to afford their studies.

A Supplementary Grant for Essential Costs

The Kipaji Scholarship is not a primary tuition award; it is a complementary grant that provides vital financial flexibility. It offers up to €12,000, paid directly to the student. This money is intended to cover essential study and living expenses not covered by other awards, such as housing, health insurance, books, and daily costs. Consequently, it transforms a partial scholarship into a near-complete financial package, allowing scholars to focus fully on their academic goals without constant financial worry.

Who Is This Scholarship For?

The Kipaji Scholarship has a very specific target group. You are eligible to be considered if you meet all the following criteria:

Hold nationality from the Least Developed Country or Low-Income Country on the official OECD-DAC list.
Have completed your Bachelor’s degree in your home country or a neighboring nation (not at the University of Twente).
Have been admitted to an eligible master’s programme at the University of Twente (excluding ITC Faculty programmes) for the 2026 intake.
Have qualified for and received a University of Twente Scholarship (UTS).

Can demonstrate strong academic performance (typically an average grade of 8/10) and a compelling motivation focused on using your education for capacity building, entrepreneurship, or innovation in your home country.

Eligible Master’s Programmes

The scholarship supports a wide range of stems and social science fields at the University of Twente, including:

Robotics, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering
Sustainable Energy Technology and Environmental Management
Business Administration, Public Administration, and Psychology
Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Science, and Biomedical Engineering

Application Process

A key feature of this scholarship is its integrated application system. There is no separate Kipaji application form. Instead, you must follow this pathway:

Apply for Your Master’s Programme: First, gain admission to an eligible University of Twente master’s programme.
Apply to the University of Twente Scholarship (UTS): Submit your UTS application through the official portal.
Express Interest in Kipaji: In your UTS motivation letter, you must explicitly state that you also wish to be considered for the Kipaji Scholarship and that you meet the nationality and development-impact criteria.
Faculty Nomination: Eligible candidates are then nominated for the Kipaji Scholarship by their academic faculty based on their UTS application and development potential. You may be asked later for an additional letter focusing on your planned impact.

Click Here to Apply

Why the Kipaji Scholarship is a Game-Changer

Founded and sustained by University of Twente alumni, this scholarship is built on a powerful philosophy: exceptional talent should never be blocked by financial or geographic barriers. It recognizes that students from developing economies often secure partial funding, but still face a daunting shortfall. The Kipaji grant directly addresses this final hurdle, making a transformative European education genuinely attainable.

For high-achieving students from DAC-listed countries, the Kipaji Scholarship represents the final piece of the funding puzzle. By securing admission and a UTS award, and by powerfully articulating your future development impact, you can position yourself for this life-changing supplementary grant. For the official DAC country list and detailed UTS application guidelines, visit the University of Twente scholarships website.