MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP)

The MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) offers full scholarships to professionals from 10 countries in the Middle East and North Africa who wish to take short courses in the Netherlands.

The main aim of the MSP scholarships is to contribute to a democratic transition in the selected countries. It also aims to build capacity within organisations by enabling employees to participate in short courses in the Netherlands. While the scholarship is awarded to individuals, all candidates must be nominated by their employer to participate. The need for training has to be demonstrated in the context of the applicant's organisation. The training course must help the organisation develop its capacity.

The target group consists of professionals (with a maximum age of 45 years) who are nationals of and living and working in one of the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania (new), Morocco, Oman, Syria*, and Tunisia.

* MSP is not currently open to applicants from Syria. However, applicants with Syrian nationality may apply if they reside and work in one of the other MSP countries on the list.

All candidates who wish to apply for the fellowship need to first apply for the course of their choice. 

What is the application procedure?

Step 1

Check the scholarship eligibility criteria below. You must: 

1. Be a professional and national of, working and living in one of the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania (new), Morocco, Oman, Syria* and Tunisia. 
2. Have an employer’s statement that complies with a prescribed format. All information must be provided, and all commitments included in the format must be endorsed in the statement. (You will not be eligible for the fellowship if you fail to submit this document). 
3. Not being employed by an organisation has its own means of staff development. Organisations are considered to have their own means for staff development, for example: 
   • Multinational corporations (e.g. Shell, Unilever, Microsoft)
   • Large national and/or large commercial, organisational donor organisations USAID, DFID, Danida, Sida, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FinAid, AusAid, ADC, SwissAid)
   • Multilateral donor organisations. a UN organiorganisationWorld Bank, the IMF, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, IADB)
   • International NGO’s (e.g. Oxfam, Plan, Care).
4. Have an official and valid passport.
5. Not receive more than one fellowship for courses that take place at the same time.
6. Have an MSP government statement that meets the requirements of the country in which the employer is established.
7. Age between 20 - 45 years old.

Step 2 

Check which IHS courses qualify for the current MSP deadline. Note the application deadlines.

Step 3

Please select your preferred IHS course and apply for it. To apply, visit your chosen course page and click on one of the "Apply now" buttons on the page. Keep in mind that preparing your course application may take some time. We advise you to start on it well in time. 

Step 4

Once admitted, IHS will invite you via email to apply for the MSP fellowship. Keep a close eye on your email.  

Step 5

Receive the scholarship outcome & make arrangements for your arrival.

When is the deadline for MSP applicants?

How do I find out more?

Read our educational programmes section if you would like to find out more information about IHS and the courses we provide. You may also find our frequently asked questions page useful.

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