Orange Knowledge Scholarship Programme Requirements: The Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) was a scholarship programme funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support professionals from eligible countries through education and training in the Netherlands. The programme provided opportunities for master’s degree programmes and short courses in selected fields.
However, applicants should note that the Orange Knowledge Programme ended in 2024. Therefore, new applications are no longer being accepted under the programme.
Despite its closure, understanding the Orange Knowledge Scholarship Programme requirements remains useful for students and professionals researching previous scholarship opportunities or looking for similar programmes in the Netherlands.
What Was the Orange Knowledge Programme?
The Orange Knowledge Programme was a Dutch international development programme designed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of professionals and organisations in participating countries.
Through the programme, thousands of professionals received scholarships for master’s programmes and short courses. Nuffic reports that the programme awarded more than 10,000 scholarships during its operation.
The scholarship focused on developing professionals who could use their new knowledge and skills to contribute to the development of their organisations and home countries.
Orange Knowledge Scholarship Programme Requirements
During the programme’s operation, applicants generally had to meet several eligibility requirements. The exact requirements could vary depending on the participating country, study programme and application round.
1. Be a Citizen of an Eligible Country
Applicants had to be citizens of a country included in the Orange Knowledge Programme’s eligible-country list.
The programme was available to professionals from selected countries rather than applicants from every country worldwide. The eligible countries and priorities could change between application rounds.
2. Be a Working Professional
The Orange Knowledge Programme was primarily designed for mid-career professionals who could use the knowledge and skills gained during their studies to contribute to their organisation and country.
Applicants were generally expected to be employed by an organisation relevant to the programme’s development objectives.
3. Have Relevant Work Experience
Professional experience was an important part of the programme because OKP targeted professionals rather than applicants seeking their first academic qualification.
Applicants needed to demonstrate that their proposed study was relevant to their professional responsibilities and career development.
4. Gain Admission to an Eligible Dutch Institution
Applicants needed to apply for an eligible course or master’s programme at a participating Dutch higher education institution.
The scholarship was not automatically available for every course or university in the Netherlands. Eligible programmes were determined within the Orange Knowledge Programme framework. Nuffic’s programme documentation stated that individual scholarships could support eligible master’s programmes and short courses registered within the programme’s application system.
5. Meet the Academic Requirements
Applicants had to satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen Dutch institution and programme.
These requirements could include:
- Relevant academic qualifications
- Previous educational certificates
- Professional experience
- English-language proficiency where required
- A suitable academic or professional background
- Other requirements specified by the institution
Meeting the scholarship requirements alone did not guarantee admission to a Dutch institution.
6. Choose a Relevant Field of Study
The Orange Knowledge Programme focused on areas that supported development priorities.
According to Nuffic, the programme’s study areas included areas such as security and rule of law, food and nutrition, water, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Applicants therefore needed to ensure that their proposed programme was among the eligible courses available during the relevant application round.
7. Demonstrate a Strong Motivation
Applicants were expected to explain why they wanted to participate in the programme and how the training or master’s programme would benefit their professional development.
A strong application needed to show a clear connection between the applicant’s:
- Current job
- Proposed programme
- Career goals
- Organisation
- Development needs
- Expected contribution after returning home
The programme was highly competitive, so having a clear and convincing motivation was important.
8. Be Able to Return and Apply the Knowledge
The programme was designed to create benefits beyond the individual scholarship recipient.
Scholarship holders were expected to use their new knowledge and skills in their home country and organisation. Nuffic’s scholarship obligations specifically emphasised the importance of returning to the home country and employer.
This made the applicant’s professional plans and potential impact important considerations.
9. Obtain Employer Support Where Required
Because the programme targeted working professionals, applicants could need support or approval from their employer.
Employer involvement was particularly relevant where the applicant’s proposed study was directly connected to their job or where the applicant was expected to return to the organisation after completing the programme.
10. Meet the Specific Requirements of the Selected Programme
In addition to the former OKP requirements, applicants had to meet the admission conditions of the specific Dutch institution.
For example, a university could require particular academic qualifications, English-language test results, work experience or other supporting documents.
Applicants therefore needed to check both the scholarship requirements and the admission requirements of their chosen programme.
Documents Applicants Previously Needed
Depending on the application round and institution, applicants could be required to provide documents such as:
- International passport or proof of nationality
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Employer statement or proof of employment
- Motivation statement
- Admission or provisional admission documents
- English-language proficiency evidence, where required
- Professional references or other supporting documents
The exact documents depended on the selected programme and application procedure.
Was the Orange Knowledge Scholarship Fully Funded?
The OKP scholarship provided financial support toward various study-related expenses. Historical programme conditions indicate that scholarship funding could contribute towards costs such as tuition fees, living expenses, visa, travel, insurance and thesis research.
However, the scholarship was described as a contribution toward these costs, meaning the actual funding arrangement could vary and applicants could be responsible for expenses not covered by the scholarship.
Is the Orange Knowledge Programme Still Available?
No. The Orange Knowledge Programme is no longer accepting new applications.
Nuffic states that the programme ran from 2017 to 2024 and has ended. It provided scholarships, group training and institutional collaboration opportunities during its operation.
Therefore, anyone searching for Orange Knowledge Scholarship 2026, OKP Scholarship 2026, or Orange Knowledge Programme application form 2026 should be aware that these searches do not represent an active scholarship application opportunity.
What Should Applicants Do Instead?
Students and professionals interested in studying in the Netherlands should look for current scholarship opportunities offered by Dutch universities, international organisations and other funding bodies.
Applicants should also check the official Study in NL platform for information about studying in the Netherlands and available scholarship opportunities. Nuffic identifies Study in NL as its main student website for prospective international students.
Final Thoughts
The Orange Knowledge Scholarship Programme was an important opportunity for professionals from eligible developing countries to gain education and professional training in the Netherlands. Its requirements generally focused on professional experience, academic eligibility, relevant study programmes, motivation and the potential impact of the applicant’s training.
However, the programme ended in 2024, meaning applicants cannot submit a new OKP scholarship application in 2026. Those seeking funding to study in the Netherlands should instead research currently available scholarships and confirm their eligibility directly with the relevant scholarship provider or Dutch institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Orange Knowledge Programme still available?
No. The Orange Knowledge Programme ended in 2024 and is no longer accepting new scholarship applications.
Can Nigerian students apply for the Orange Knowledge Scholarship in 2026?
No. There is no new OKP application round for Nigerian students in 2026 because the programme has ended.
Was the Orange Knowledge Programme fully funded?
The former programme provided financial contributions toward several study-related expenses, including tuition, living costs, visa, travel and insurance, depending on the scholarship conditions.
Who was the Orange Knowledge Programme designed for?
It was primarily designed for professionals from eligible partner countries who could use the knowledge and skills gained through education or training to contribute to their organisations and home countries.
What can applicants do now that OKP has ended?
Applicants should search for current Netherlands scholarships and university-specific funding opportunities and check the eligibility requirements and deadlines for each programme.
