A new round of MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) applications is about to begin! This is a great opportunity for mid-career professionals from select countries to receive a fully funded scholarship to attend one of MDF’s internationally recognised training courses in the Netherlands. If you are looking to enhance your skills, expand your professional network, and bring new expertise to your organisation, apply for the MSP scholarship and join a dynamic group of professionals from across the region. Applications are open from 1 April to 20 May 2025 via the DELTA system by Nuffic.
The MSP scholarship covers participation in the following MDF training courses:
• Management for Development Projects and Programmes: 19 January – 13 February 2026
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: 7 – 16 October 2025
• Gender Mainstreaming in Development: 4 – 13 November 2025
• Training & Facilitation Skills: 24 – 28 November 2025
The scholarship includes:
• Full course tuition Flight ticket direct from the country to the Netherlands and back
• Hotel accommodation
• Transport refund from the airport to Hotel De Bosrand
• Visa refund
• Organisational visits
To be eligible for the MSP scholarship, applicants must:
• Be a national of, and working and living in, one of the following countries:
Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, and Tunisia.
• Be a mid-career professional nominated by their employer, who guarantees their return to the same or an equivalent position after completing the course.
• Have an employer’s statement in the required Nuffic format, confirming the relevance of the training for their organisation. Download the Nuffic format here.
• Not be employed by organisations that have their own staff development funding, such as: Multinational corporations (e.g., Shell, Unilever, Microsoft) Large national or commercial organisations Bilateral and multilateral donor organisations (e.g., USAID, World Bank, UN) International NGOs (e.g., Oxfam, Plan, Care)
• Have a valid passport.
• Not receive more than one fellowship for courses that take place at the same time.
• Have a government statement, if required by their country.
• Be under 45 years of age at the time of submission.
• Be fluent in English to fully participate in the training.
The MSP scholarship, financed by the Dutch Ministry, focuses on sustainable capacity development for organisations involved in democratic transition processes. Each of the Dutch Embassies in MSP-eligible countries works within the policy framework of the Dutch government. Within this framework, they have defined their own priorities. Applicants should check the Dutch Embassy website for their country’s specific focus areas. For further information about Nuffic and the MSP scholarship, visit this page.
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents before starting their application:
• A copy of a valid passport
• A signed employer’s statement (using the Nuffic format)
• A government statement (if applicable. Consult in this link the government statement requirements).
Step 2: Register in the DELTA system
Applicants must submit their application through the DELTA system by Nuffic before the deadline: 20 May 2025.
◽ Please make sure to access the DELTA system clicking here.
Important notes:
• Applications must be completed and submitted in one session.
• Required documents must be uploaded in PDF format (maximum 2 MB).
• The motivation section in the application is a key factor in the selection process.
Questions to prepare for the motivation section:
• What is the issue or problem you want to address in your country?
• How will this course help you address this issue?
• How will you apply what you learn in your organisation?
Once an application is submitted, it cannot be edited. If an applicant needs to update their information, they must submit a new registration in DELTA.
Step 3: Selection process
The selection process follows these steps:
1. MDF Training & Consultancy reviews applications and nominates suitable candidates in DELTA.
2. The Dutch Embassy in the applicant’s country assesses eligibility and ranks candidates based on embassy and ministry priorities.
3. Nuffic makes the final selection based on available funding.
4. MDF Training & Consultancy informs selected candidates and confirms acceptance.
5. MDF Training & Consultancy informs non-eligible candidates.
6. Selected candidates must apply for a visa at the Dutch Embassy in their country using the following documents: an invitation letter from MDF Training & Consultancy, AON health insurance, hotel confirmation, an acceptance letter from Nuffic, a copy of their valid passport, and a flight ticket.
The entire selection process takes approximately 10 weeks from the application deadline.
For further details or to request application documents, please contact registration@mdf.nl. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure a complete and timely submission.
