NFP is financed from The Netherlands' government budget for Development Cooperation. The overall aim of NFP is to help alleviate qualitative and quantitative shortages of skilled manpower and to do so within the framework of sustainable capacity building directed towards reducing poverty in developing countries.

More specifically NFP is focused on meeting the need for further training and capacity building in a wide range of governmental, private and non-governmental organisations. The NFP target group consists of mid-career professionals who are already in employment and who have built-up at least 2 years of appropriate working experience. To be eligible for an NFP fellowship, candidates must be nominated by their employers.

The Netherlands Fellowship Programme offers the following options for professionals in developing countries:

• Fellowship for Masters Degree Programme
• Fellowship for Short Course
• Fellowship for PhD studies
• Refresher Course

More information on these programmes including the deadlines for the application can be found on the   NUFFIC website.

How to apply

The Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) consists of two sub programmes: 

• The Academic Programme (NFP/AP) offering fellowship for long-term academic studies leading to Masters and PhD degrees.
• The Training Programme (NFP/TP) offering fellowships for short-term courses and refresher courses. 

Target Group 

The NFP target group consists of mid-career professionals who are already in employment and who have built up at least 2 years of appropriate working experience. To be eligible for an NFP fellowship, candidates must be nominated by their employers.

Criteria

• Preference is given to female candidates.
• Current university students are no longer part of the target group. 
• No age limit for candidates. 
• Candidates must be proficient in the language of instruction i.e English. 
• Applications for a fellowship will only be considered if candidates are nominated and supported by their employers
• Candidates pledge to continue to work at their working place upon their return in the country. 
• Candidates should be in good health. 

Procedure 

The first part of the process is the need to qualify for an admission at a Dutch institution and getting an admission letter. An admission letter is issued by the Dutch institute after the assessment of an application’s suitability for the course.

The most essential requirement for foreign students wishing to enter a Dutch university is that they are able to understand, speak, read and write English at a good level. They must pass either a standard test (equivalent to TOEFL 550 or IELTS 6.0) or a test arranged by the Dutch university. A secondary school diploma is required for entering a bachelor's degree programme. For a master's degree programme, an undergraduate diploma or bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required. Some professionally oriented programmes may have special requirements, such as related working experience. All your questions related to admissions can be addressed to the International Relations Office at the Dutch institution (university) concerned. The website   http://www.studyin.nl has a database of all the courses and universities in the Netherlands. It is possible to make an online application for admission to a course by going to the website of the concerned institution.

After having received an admission letter from the Dutch institute that provides the course or programme, candidates can apply for an NFP fellowship by presenting a completed NFP short course or master’s degree application form to the Embassy of The Netherlands in New Delhi, accompanied by the necessary documentation. The application should be submitted well before the deadline for applications set by the Embassy. These deadlines can be found on the course list for short courses and master’s degree programmes. The application form can be downloaded from the   NFP website. Please note that all information about fellowship opportunities, criteria, guidelines and deadlines can also be found on this website. Applications are to be submitted in duplicate. You are advised to demonstrate a high level of motivation and commitment while applying for a fellowship.

List of documents/information required for Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP)

• The provisional admission letter from the host institute in The Netherlands stating the conditional acceptance of the candidate in the course.   
• A letter from the employer endorsing the study plans and guaranteeing that the salary will continue to be paid and the job will be held during the candidate’s study period. 
• A copy of a passport that  will be valid for at least three months beyond the intended study period. 
• Certified/attested copies of educational records. 
• One current/recent passport size photo. 
• A copy of the birth certificate. A legalised copy of the birth certificate is required  when the applicant’s stay in the Netherlands  exceeds a period of three months.

Candidates should send two copies of the set of application (original + photocopy) or deliver the duly completed and signed application form together with all requested documents two weeks prior to the Embassy’s application deadline  at the following address: 

Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands
Netherlands Fellowship Programme
6/50 F, Shantipath
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi - 110 021

* Please do not send the fellowship application to our consulates.
* Fax and e-mail copies of NFP application will not be considered. 

For further information and queries on NFP, the Fellowship Officer can be reached by e-mail:   nde-pcz@minbuza.nl .

The Netherlands Embassy checks the application and may reject on formal and or local criteria.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the Embassy six weeks before the scheduled starting of the course. Please note that we are not in a position to answer telephonic enquiries on the status of the application.

(* NFP applicants from Nepal and Bhutan are advised to contact the Dutch Honorary Consulate office in Kathmandu or Thimphu for the specific requirements applicable in respectively Nepal and Bhutan. They should also submit their application to the respective Honorary Consulate (not to the Embassy). For address details, please click  here)