SIDS Scholarships 2026 – Fully Funded MSc in Water and Sustainable Development for Small Island Developing States

For early-career water professionals and sustainability leaders from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the SIDS Scholarships at IHE Delft represent an exceptional opportunity to pursue advanced study in water and sustainable development while gaining the knowledge, expertise, and network needed to tackle pressing water challenges in their home regions.

Offered by the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education under its Water and Development Partnership Programme and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SIDS Scholarships provide a limited number of full and partial awards for the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development. These scholarships support graduate study in the Netherlands, including tuition, living costs, travel, and research components that are relevant to the community and environmental needs of SIDS countries.

Scholarship Overview

The SIDS Scholarships are part of IHE Delft’s broader effort to build capacity and nurture a global network of water professionals equipped to address sustainable development challenges in vulnerable regions. The programme specifically targets nationals of SIDS — nations especially impacted by climate change, sea-level rise, limited freshwater resources, and environmental vulnerability — to equip them with advanced technical skills in water management, sustainable development, and research.

Full scholarships include:

• Full tuition coverage for the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development.
• Health insurance for the duration of the programme.
• International travel costs to and from the Netherlands.
• Monthly living allowance of approximately €1,220 per month for accommodation and living costs throughout the study period.

Partial scholarships may also be available to support candidates who already have partial funding from other sources such as employers, personal sponsorships, or complementary awards. Applicants with partial funding can apply for assistance to cover the remaining costs of their degree.

About the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development

The Scholarship is open to applicants who have been admitted to IHE Delft’s Master’s programme in Water and Sustainable Development, which integrates interdisciplinary approaches to water science, policy, and sustainability. The MSc offers both a regular track (typically one year) and a research variant (typically two years), tailored to the academic and professional aspirations of students.

Students enrolled in this programme engage with themes such as water governance, environmental systems, sustainable infrastructure, and community resilience. They work with expert faculty and collaborate with a diverse community of international practitioners and researchers, expanding their capacity to design and implement water solutions in contexts facing ecological and socio-economic challenges.

Why This Scholarship Matters

Small Island Developing States face some of the most urgent water-related challenges in the world, including vulnerability to climate change, limited freshwater resources, and infrastructure pressures. Investing in local water professionals empowers these countries to lead their own development agendas, design effective water strategies, and strengthen adaptive capacity.

By supporting skilled individuals from within SIDS communities, the scholarship not only builds technical expertise but also fosters leadership and regional collaboration. Graduates return equipped to influence water policy, advance sustainable infrastructure, and contribute to national and regional development goals. As water systems become increasingly intertwined with public health, food production, economic stability, and climate resilience, this scholarship bridges education and real-world impact.

Who Is Eligible

To qualify for the SIDS Scholarships, applicants must:

• Be national of one of the eligible Small Island Developing States such as Belize, Fiji, Jamaica, Maldives, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, and other listed countries.
• Have academic admission to the regular or research MSc programme in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft.
• Be living and/or working in an eligible SIDS country.
• Agree to conduct their MSc research in their home country or region in association with a project supported by the programme.
• Participate in and contribute to seminars organized by the programme’s learning networks.
• Commit to returning to their home country or another priority country after their studies to apply their skills and knowledge locally.

Selection Criteria

Selection prioritizes candidates with:

• Strong academic background and demonstrated potential for leadership in water and sustainability.
• High motivation, which applicants express through intentional responses to motivation questions in the application process.
• Relevant work experience in water management, environmental planning, or sustainable development.
• A strong case for co-funding, when equally qualified candidates are compared.
• A gender balance emphasis, with priority given to female applicants.

In addition to eligibility, one of the required recommendation letters should be from a current or previous employer, articulating how the candidate’s studies would benefit the organization and confirming the intention to return after graduation.

How to Apply 

To be considered for the SIDS Scholarship, applicants must first apply for admission to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft. There is no separate scholarship application; eligible candidates are automatically assessed for scholarship consideration once they have received their academic admission letter.

Preparation should include:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• English proficiency results (if required; some SIDS applicants may be exempt)
• Two letters of recommendation (including an employer recommendation)
• A detailed motivation statement addressing program priorities and personal goals

Application deadline: 1 June 2025

For detailed information and to begin your application, visit the official SIDS Scholarships page on the IHE Delft website.

Looking for more opportunities? Check out the Opportunities for Youth website!