The SIDS Scholarships are offered through the IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme, which is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The award supports a Master of Science in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft in the Netherlands, with the wider goal of strengthening capacity and building a network of water professionals across the programme’s focus regions.
For African readers, it’s worth being precise about who qualifies. The scheme targets nationals of Small Island Developing States, and several African countries are on the eligible list — Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, and Sao Tome & Principe. If you hold citizenship in one of these states and work in water, climate resilience, or sustainable development, this is a route worth taking seriously.
There are both full and partial scholarships. The full package is generous, covering tuition, insurance, international travel, and a monthly living allowance for the whole study period. The programme also places a strong priority on female candidates, so women working in the water sector are particularly encouraged to apply.
Scholarship benefits
- Full scholarships covering the total cost of the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development.
- Tuition fee paid in full.
- Insurance during the study period.
- International travel costs.
- A living and accommodation allowance of EUR 1,220 per month for the complete duration of study.
- Partial scholarships are also available for some candidates.
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ You are a national of one of the eligible Small Island Developing States listed by the programme (this includes Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, and Sao Tome & Principe among African nations).
- ✔ You have secured academic admission to either the regular or research variant of the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development.
- ✔ You are living and/or working in one of the eligible countries.
- ✔ You agree to carry out your MSc research in your country or region, linked to one of the projects run by the Programme.
- ✔ You commit to participating actively in the seminars organised for the Programme’s learning networks.
- ✔ You confirm that you will return to your country of origin or another priority country of the programme.
- ✔ You can provide an employer statement — one of your two required recommendation letters must come from your current employer.
Application tips for African students
- Confirm your nationality is on the eligible SIDS list before investing time — only a handful of African states qualify, so check carefully.
- Because the scholarship is automatic once you gain academic admission, your real task is a strong admission application — focus your energy there and apply early.
- Line up your two recommendation letters in advance, and remember one must be from your current employer; brief that person early so the letter speaks to your work in the water sector.
- Have academic transcripts and certificates ready, and if they are not in English, arrange certified translations well ahead of the deadline.
- If an English-language test such as IELTS or TOEFL is required for admission, book it early — test slots and result turnaround can take weeks.
- Write a focused statement that explains how your MSc research will connect to challenges in your home country and to the Programme’s projects, since returning home is a core condition.
- Female applicants should apply with confidence — the programme states a strong priority for women candidates.
How to apply
There is no separate scholarship application form. If you are a national of one of the eligible countries and meet the criteria, you are automatically considered for the scholarship once you have applied for admission and received your academic admission letter. Note that applications are currently closed, with the annual deadline given as 1 June 2026 and the course starting in September 2026. Always confirm the current cycle, access the admission form, and read the full guidelines on the official page: https://www.un-ihe.org/education/master-programmes/sids-scholarships
Frequently asked questions
Which African countries are eligible?
The eligible African nationals are those from Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, and Sao Tome & Principe, which appear on the programme’s Small Island Developing States list.
What does the full scholarship cover?
The full scholarship covers tuition, insurance, international travel, and a monthly allowance of EUR 1,220 for living and accommodation throughout the study period. Partial scholarships are also offered.
Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application?
No. You are automatically considered once you apply for admission to the MSc Programme and receive your academic admission letter, provided you are from an eligible country and meet the criteria.
Is there a preference for any group of applicants?
Yes — the programme states a strong priority for female candidates.
What is the deadline?
The annual deadline is 1 June 2026, with the course beginning in September 2026. Applications were marked as closed at the time of this listing, so check the official page for the live cycle.
Are there any obligations after the scholarship?
Yes. You must agree to conduct your MSc research in your home country or region, participate in the Programme’s learning-network seminars, and confirm that you will return to your country of origin or another priority country of the programme.