The MENA Scholarship Programme aims to contribute to the societal development of the participating countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. It also seeks to build capacity within organisations by enabling employees to participate in short courses in various fields of study.
The MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) aims to build bridges through knowledge by offering opportunities for capacity building within organisations in the Middle East and North Africa. It enables young professional impact makers to take part in short courses in the Netherlands, and it facilitates tailor made training for organisations in the region.
The MSP focuses on building strong relations between the participating countries and the Netherlands by fostering strong alumni networks. It contributes to mutual understanding and knowledge sharing. The programme is funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Shiraka programme and managed by Nuffic.
Once application is submitted , several assessments will take place:
The Hague Academy will assess application first based on whether candidates meet the eligibility criteria, the relevance of the course for the work and position, motivation and the required documents. If candidates meet all the academic and eligibility requirements, they will receive an invitation from The Hague Academy to proceed with the final step in the application procedure: registering in Delta, Nuffic’s database., Then, the Embassies of the Netherlands in each country will assess and score the applications based on the country’s focus., After these two assessments, Nuffic selects the awarded candidates. They will allocate scholarships according to the available budget and the criteria set out the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs., Applicants will be notified by The Hague Academy regarding the outcome of the selection.
Registrations for scholarship applications are now open. The application deadline is 22 August 2023.
Please note that there is an early-bird deadline for the current scholarship application round. Eligible candidates who submit their application before the early-bird deadline of 19 July 2023 will benefit from our assessment and, if needed, will receive feedback to improve their application.
Benefits
- It enables young professional impact makers to take part in short courses in the Netherlands,
- it facilitates tailor made training for organisations in the region.
- Available courses, offered in English or French, vary per country and depend on the priority themes per country.
- A limited amount of scholarships is awarded to highly motivated professionals who suit the country approach best.
- Applicants who don’t suit their country approach are not eligible for a scholarship
Eligibilities
- Candidates are a professional working in one of the eligible countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman and Tunisia.
- Candidates are 45 years old or younger on the application deadline, plus two weeks;
- Candidates are not employed by an organisation that has its own means of staff development. E.g. international development organisations or private companies;
- Candidates have a minimum of two years of work experience;
- Candidates speak and understand the English language well (all programmes are in English);
- Candidates have written support from your employer to participate in the programme and to implement the Back Home Action Plan.
- Candidates are working in one of the priority areas matching the thematic approach of the MENA Scholarship Programme in our country. Link here, https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/mena-scholarship-programme-msp
Application Process
- CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY
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- Are you eligible for a MENA Scholarship (MSP)?-https://www.studyinholland.nl/finances/mena-scholarship-programme-msp
- PREPARE THE ANSWERS TO THE MOTIVATION QUESTIONS
In the application form, you will have to answer three questions:
- What is the issue or problem you want to address in your country?
- How will this training course enable you to address this issue?
- How will you address this issue with your position within your organisation?
The answers to the three motivation questions should clearly indicate the link between your organisation and position on the one hand, and (elements of) the Country Focus on the other hand. Be specific and base your answers on factual information. Refrain from copying information from our website.
Read the Quality Guidelines to determine which information should be included on each of the questions.-https://cdn.thehagueacademy.com/2023/05/Nuffic-OKP-MSP-Quality-Guidelines-version-may-2023.pdf
- PREPARE AN EMPLOYER STATEMENT
- All applications must be supported by an Employer Statement. An employer statement is a format where your employer supports and motivates your participation in the course. This document has to be written by your employer, where they indicate the relevance of the training for you as an employee and for the organisation.
- Only the prescribed Nuffic format will be accepted as a valid document.-https://www.nuffic.nl/sites/default/files/2020-08/fomat-employers-statement-okp-and-msp-programmes.docx
- The Employer Statement should be uploaded as one single PDF and should consist of the following segments (as indicated in the format):
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- Declaration by your employer (supporting your participation).
- Data about the organisation/candidate, including the indications regarding relevance.
- Plan of activities, with clear SMART (Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time-Related) goals and deadlines.
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Please note that the first page must have the original stamp of the organisation and the original signature of your employer. The document must also be printed on the letterhead of your organisation.
- PREPARE A GOVERNMENT STATEMENT (NOT APPLICABLE TO EVERYONE)
Some countries require applicants to provide a Government statement for their application to be valid. Find out if you need a government statement:
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- Overview Government statements (for OKP)- https://www.nuffic.nl/sites/default/files/2020-08/government-statement-requirements-orange-knowledge-programme.pdf
- Overview Government statements (for MSP)- https://www.nuffic.nl/sites/default/files/2020-08/government-statement-requirements-mena-scholarship-programme.pdf
When required, prepare this in advance as this could take a few weeks. Use one of the following prescribed formats:
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- OKP Statement of Government Authority- https://cms.thehagueacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/5.-OKP-statement-of-government-authority.pdf
- MSP Scholarship Statement of Government Authority.- https://cms.thehagueacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/6.-MSP-Format-Statement-of-Government-Authority-.pdf
- PREPARE A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT
For your application to be valid, you must hold a passport valid for at least four weeks after the application deadline. Prepare a clear copy in colours of the personal data page.
- FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM
- It is possible to save the form and to continue at a later time. You will receive a login code to re-access your form.
- Once submitted, your application will be assessed on eligibility and relevance.
- Once the deadline has passed, the application form will no longer be available.
- PREPARE A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT
For your application to be valid, you must hold a passport valid for at least four weeks after the application deadline. Prepare a clear copy in colours of the personal data page.
- FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM
- It is possible to save the form and to continue at a later time. You will receive a login code to re-access your form.
- Once submitted, your application will be assessed on eligibility and relevance.
- Once the deadline has passed, the application form will no longer be available.
Application Deadline: August 22, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
