- Scholarship Title: Scholarship for Studying Dutch Water Trade (Water Development Partnership Programme)
- Programme: Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development
- Institution: IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, The Netherlands
- Duration: 2 years (Full Scholarship)
- Number of Scholarships: 3
- Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
- Eligibility: Nationals of non-European low- and middle-income countries (priority to listed countries)
- Coverage: Full tuition, insurance, international travel, field research costs, living allowance, and accommodation
Introduction
The IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is offering three full scholarships for the 2-year Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development. These scholarships support research within the Dutch Water Trade project, which critically examines the implications of prioritizing Dutch business opportunities in development cooperation, including cases on dredging, agri-business, and industrial water use.
Scholars will conduct their internship and MSc research within this project, contribute to policy advocacy, seminars, and publications, and return to their home country or another priority country. This prestigious opportunity targets passionate researchers committed to sustainable, inclusive water governance in the Young World.
About the Dutch Water Trade Project
This project critically examines the implications of prioritizing Dutch business opportunities within development cooperation policies. While Dutch water expertise is internationally renowned, past interventions have sometimes led to harm such as aquifer depletion and pollution. The research employs qualitative social science methods to study Dutch private sector interventions affecting water sources, communities, and ecosystems. Insights will inform policy advocacy for more sustainable and inclusive approaches.
Scholarship Coverage
The scholarship covers the total cost of the Research MSc Programme:
- Tuition fees
- International travel costs
- Field research costs
- Living allowance and accommodation
- Insurance
Eligibility Criteria
- Academic admission to the Research MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft.
- National of a non-European low- or middle-income country.
- Priority given to citizens of:
- Middle East: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen
- Horn of Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda
- Sahel: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Belize, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome & Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
- Agree to conduct MSc research within the Dutch Water Trade project.
- Agree to conduct an internship with a project partner focused on policy advocacy skills.
- Actively participate in project activities (seminars, policy advocacy, co-authoring publications).
- Commit to return to country of origin or another priority country after completion.
Selection Criteria
- Strong priority to female candidates.
- Strong motivation and demonstrated affinity with the Dutch Water Trade research topic (via motivation statement).
- Strong academic background and preferably experience with qualitative social sciences (including ethnographic methods).
- Preference for candidates with relevant work experience.
Application Procedure
- Complete the motivation statement using the special template provided.
- Email the completed form to Ineke Melis, Fellowship and Admission Officer: i.melis@un-ihe.org
- After approval of the motivation statement, you will be considered for scholarship selection.
Deadline for motivation statement and English test results: June 1, 2026
Scholarship outcome announcement: July 2026
Note: Apply for academic admission to the programme as soon as possible. English language test (IELTS/TOEFL) required for final admission and scholarship eligibility.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to the Research MSc Programme at IHE Delft:
https://www.un-ihe.org/education/master-programmes/research-msc-water-and-sustainable-development - Download and complete the motivation statement template (available on the scholarship page).
- Submit the motivation statement to i.melis@un-ihe.org by June 1, 2026.
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Tags
IHE Delft Scholarship Dutch Water Trade, Research MSc Water Sustainable Development, Full Scholarship Netherlands, Water Governance Policy Advocacy, Priority Countries Africa Middle East SIDS, Vision 2030 Sustainable Water Management
Expert Tips for Success in the Dutch Water Trade Scholarship at IHE Delft: A Shortlister’s Perspective
As a recruiter/evaluator for IHE Delft’s Dutch Water Trade Scholarship, I prioritize applications that demonstrate strong motivation, qualitative research affinity, and commitment to return. With only 3 scholarships and high competition, these 10 tips are designed to place your application in the top 5% by showcasing your Master’s and passion. Each tip provides realistic, impactful examples for your motivation statement, CV, and interview.
Tip 1: Lead Motivation Statement with a Personal Connection
Why It Works: Strong motivation is key—50% of shortlists go to candidates with personal affinity. Start with a powerful story linking your background to Dutch Water Trade issues.
Motivation Example:
“As a Kenyan water policy researcher who witnessed Dutch-funded irrigation projects causing aquifer depletion in Turkana, I am deeply motivated to critically examine these interventions to ensure more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.”
How to Do It: Open your motivation statement with a personal, region-specific example showing why this project matters to you.
Tip 2: Highlight Qualitative Social Science Experience
Why It Works: The project uses qualitative methods—recruiters prioritize ethnographic experience.
Motivation Example:
“My Master’s research used ethnographic methods to study community impacts of large-scale water projects in the Horn of Africa, equipping me to contribute meaningfully to this project’s qualitative approach.”
How to Do It: Explicitly mention qualitative methods (interviews, participant observation, case studies) and their relevance.
Tip 3: Emphasize Policy Advocacy Commitment
Why It Works: Scholars must contribute to advocacy—recruiters prioritize advocates.
Motivation Example:
“I am committed to translating research into actionable policy advocacy, as demonstrated by my previous work with local NGOs to influence water governance reforms in Kenya.”
How to Do It: Include a specific example of past advocacy and your eagerness to contribute to seminars and publications.
Tip 4: Demonstrate Return Commitment
Why It Works: Return to country of origin or priority country is mandatory—recruiters prioritize returnees.
Motivation Example:
“Upon completion, I plan to return to Kenya to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen national water governance policies and support local communities.”
How to Do It: Clearly state your return plan and how you will contribute to your home country.
Tip 5: Show Gender Balance Priority (Female Candidates)
Why It Works: Strong priority to female candidates—highlighting gender adds weight.
Motivation Example (Female Applicants):
“As a female researcher in the male-dominated water sector, I am particularly motivated to contribute to this project and inspire more women to engage in water governance.”
How to Do It: If female, subtly weave this into your motivation statement.
Tip 6: Include Relevant Work/Research Experience
Why It Works: Preference for relevant experience—recruiters prioritize practitioners.
Motivation Example:
“My 3 years of experience as a water policy analyst with [Organization] have given me deep insight into the challenges of Dutch-funded water projects in East Africa.”
How to Do It: List specific experience with Dutch/European water projects or similar interventions.
Tip 7: Demonstrate Academic Excellence
Why It Works: Strong academic background is required—recruiters prioritize high achievers.
Motivation Example:
“My Master’s thesis on sustainable water governance received [distinction/award] and was presented at [conference].”
How to Do It: Highlight GPA, awards, publications, or conference presentations.
Tip 8: Show Alignment with Project Cases
Why It Works: Project focuses on specific cases—recruiters prioritize case-aligned candidates.
Motivation Example:
“I am particularly interested in studying the impacts of Dutch-supported agri-businesses on water resources in arid regions, as this directly relates to my previous research in northern Kenya.”
How to Do It: Reference one or more project cases (dredging, agri-business, industrial abstraction) and your interest.
Tip 9: Highlight Language Skills
Why It Works: Fluency in English and local languages is desirable—recruiters prioritize communicators.
Motivation Example:
“As a native Swahili speaker with fluent English, I am well-positioned to conduct fieldwork in diverse Kenyan communities.”
How to Do It: Mention relevant languages and their importance for fieldwork.
Tip 10: Craft a Concise, Impact-Driven Motivation Statement
Why It Works: The motivation statement is critical—recruiters prioritize passionate, focused applicants. A concise, impactful statement makes you memorable.
Sample Opening Paragraph:
“As a Kenyan researcher who has witnessed both the benefits and unintended consequences of Dutch-funded water projects, I am deeply motivated to critically examine these interventions. My background in qualitative social science research and commitment to sustainable, inclusive water governance make me an ideal candidate to contribute to this project and help shape more equitable policies.”
How to Do It: Keep it 1–1.5 pages, use the template, and focus on:
- Personal connection to the topic
- Relevant experience and skills
- Contribution to the project
- Commitment to return and impact
Submit early – before June 1, 2026!
Email to i.melis@un-ihe.org
Good luck – this is a rare, fully funded opportunity to shape sustainable water governance!
—-END OF SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY—-
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