The KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded academic award administered by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, open to students from developing countries at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels. Offered across 31 partner universities, this scholarship covers tuition, accommodation allowance, health insurance, and international airfare. Eligible applicants must hold the degree level immediately below their target program and must not already hold the target degree. The application deadline is 31 March 2026, with 222 seats available for the 2026–27 intake.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Government Scholarship (Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD) |
| Organising Body | Ministry of Education, Culture, Research & Technology, Republic of Indonesia |
| Mode | On-Campus (Offline) |
| Duration | Bachelor’s: up to 48 months | Master’s: up to 24 months | PhD: up to 48 months |
| Location | Indonesia (31 partner universities) |
| Number of Seats | 222 (30 Bachelor’s, 162 Master’s, 30 Doctoral) |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 March 2026 |
About the Program
The Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) Scholarship is a bilateral academic initiative established by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology to strengthen educational ties with developing nations. Since its inception, the program has supported over 1,830 international students from 99 countries across 31 partner universities. Notably, these institutions span disciplines ranging from engineering and natural sciences to law and social sciences. Furthermore, the KNB Scholarship equips recipients with internationally recognised credentials while providing firsthand immersion in Indonesia’s diverse multicultural and multilingual society, making it a significant professional and academic development platform for scholars from the developing world.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Applicants must be citizens of a recognised developing country.
- For Bachelor’s programs: a completed high school diploma is required; existing Bachelor’s degree holders are ineligible.
- For Master’s programs: a completed Bachelor’s degree is required; existing Master’s degree holders are ineligible.
- For PhD programs: a completed Master’s degree is required; existing PhD holders are ineligible.
Experience & Other Conditions
- Age limit: maximum 21 years for Bachelor’s applicants, 35 years for Master’s applicants, and 40 years for PhD applicants.
- Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS) is required; native English speakers or those who completed prior education in English-medium institutions are exempt.
- A formal recommendation letter from the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General in the applicant’s home country is mandatory.
Stipend & Benefits
The KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship is fully funded, eliminating financial barriers for all selected candidates. Notably, the package encompasses both academic and living costs throughout the scholarship tenure.
| Benefit Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Fully covered by the scholarship |
| Monthly Living Allowance | Provided to cover food and accommodation expenses |
| Health Insurance | Full coverage during the study period |
| Round-Trip Airfare | Economy class, international air tickets provided |
| Monthly Research & Book Allowance | Provided to support academic work |
| Settlement Allowance | One-time allowance at the start of the program |
Selection Process
- Document submission to the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General in the applicant’s country.
- Embassy/Consulate review and issuance of the official recommendation letter.
- Online registration on the KNB Scholarship portal using the embassy-issued recommendation.
- Application screening by the KNB Scholarship secretariat and partner universities.
- Final selection and notification to successful candidates.
How to Apply
- Download the KNB Scholarship Offering Letter from the official KNB Scholarship website.
- Contact the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General in your country and submit all required academic and administrative documents to obtain a recommendation letter.
- Once in possession of the embassy recommendation letter, register online on the official KNB Scholarship portal.
- Scan all required documents as .jpeg or .jpg files, ensuring each individual file does not exceed 300 KB.
- Create only one applicant account — multiple accounts per applicant are not permitted.
- Review all submitted information and documents carefully before final submission to avoid errors.
Important Dates & Links
| Event | Date / Link |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply | 31 March 2026 |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply for the KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship?
Citizens of developing countries who meet the degree prerequisite for their target level — high school for Bachelor’s, Bachelor’s for Master’s, and Master’s for PhD — are eligible. Furthermore, applicants must not already hold a degree at the level they are applying for, and must satisfy the applicable age limits of 21, 35, or 40 years respectively.
What financial benefits does the KNB Scholarship provide?
The scholarship is fully funded and covers tuition fees, monthly living allowance, health insurance, economy-class round-trip airfare, a monthly research and book allowance, and a one-time settlement allowance at the start of the program. Consequently, selected scholars face minimal out-of-pocket expenses throughout their studies.
How are applicants selected for the KNB Scholarship?
Selection proceeds through a phased process. First, applicants submit their academic documents to the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General in their country. Following a review and the issuance of a recommendation letter, candidates register online on the KNB portal. The KNB secretariat and participating universities then screen applications to determine the final cohort.
What is the application process for the KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship?
Applicants must first download the KNB Offering Letter from the official website and approach their nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate to obtain a recommendation letter. Subsequently, they complete online registration on the KNB portal, upload scanned documents as .jpeg or .jpg files not exceeding 300 KB each, and submit a single application per account before the deadline.
What is the deadline for the KNB Scholarship 2026, and how many seats are available?
The application deadline for the KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship is 31 March 2026. A total of 222 seats are available for the 2026–27 intake — specifically 30 Bachelor’s seats, 162 Master’s seats, and 30 Doctoral seats — distributed across 31 partner universities in Indonesia.