The new Netherlands Fellowships Programme NFP was launched in 2002. The NFP is focused on meeting the needs for the further training and capacity building in a wide range of governmental and private institutions, including NGOs.

The NFP target group is the mid-career professionals who are already employed and who are nationals of one of the 56 selected countries (Eritrea is one of them). Their employers nominate them for a fellowship and motivate why the course or degree programme is necessary.

The NFP consists of two programmes: the Academic Programme (NFP-AP) and the Training Programme (NFP-TP).

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NFP-AP

Its aim is to enable professionals from developing countries to enrol in international post-graduate degree programmes (Master’s and PhD) of one or more years. The NFP-AP has three modalities:

• Master’s degree programmes;
• PhD studies;
• Refresher courses.

NFP-TP

Its aim is to enable professionals from developing countries to enrol in a diploma course or tailor-made training of maximum one year. The NFP-TP has three modalities.

• Short courses;
• Tailor-made training;
• Refresher courses.

How to apply for NFP

1. Interested candidates must first apply to the Dutch institute. The address of the institutes can be downloaded from the website of Nuffic (Netherlands organisation for international co-operation in higher education): www.nuffic.nl/npt/. Once the candidate receives the conditional acceptance letter from the Dutch institute, he/she presents it to the fellowship officer at the Embassy. The latter will provide him/her with a NFP application form.

2. The filled out and signed application should be returned to the fellowship officer along with the requested documents. After assessing the documents, the fellowship officer will give advice and send the documents to Nuffic.

3. After final selection by a committee, the institute will inform the candidates about the outcome. If approved, a letter of acceptance will be sent to the candidate through the Embassy; if rejected, the applicant will receive his/her refusal letter directly.

4. The successful applicant should return the counter-signed acceptance letter to the Embassy. All other consular matters in relation to the candidate’s travel (except the exit visa) will be done through the Embassy. Applicant should get the travel ticket via the ticket office of Lufthansa or the Embassy (seldom).

Important information

• Fellowships will be awarded only to professionals, not to students anymore;
• There is no age limit for applicants;
• Priority is given to study and training that takes place (partly) in Eritrea  and/or East Africa;
• At least half of the budget will be spent on female candidates.