International students seeking advanced education in water management, sustainability, governance, and environmental development now have an excellent opportunity to reduce the financial burden of studying abroad through the IHE Delft Blue Scholarships 2026–2028.
Offered by IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands, these partial scholarships are designed to support academically qualified self-paying students who have been admitted to either the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development or the Research MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development.
The scholarship scheme includes three funding opportunities:
- Delft Blue Water Leader Scholarship
- Delft Blue Top Water Scientist Scholarship
- Delft Blue Scholarship
Together, these scholarships are expected to support approximately 30 students during the 2026–2028 academic cycle.
About the IHE Delft Blue Scholarships
The IHE Delft Blue Scholarships are partial tuition fee reduction awards created to help talented students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need pursue postgraduate education in the field of water and sustainable development.
The scholarships are available to students who have successfully secured academic admission into one of IHE Delft’s master’s programmes and can demonstrate that they require financial assistance to pursue their studies.
The scholarships do not provide full funding. Successful applicants must show evidence that they can cover the remaining tuition, living expenses, insurance, visa, and accommodation costs.
Delft Blue Water Leader Scholarship
Scholarship Value
The Delft Blue Water Leader Scholarship provides:
- 50% reduction of tuition fees
This scholarship is available for students admitted to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 1 July 2026
Who Is This Scholarship For?
The scholarship targets:
- Self-paying students
- Academically admitted applicants
- Candidates with excellent academic performance
- Students with financial need
Selection Criteria
Applicants may be assessed based on a combination of the following:
- Excellent academic background
- High Bachelor’s or Master’s GPA
- Relevant academic qualifications
- Relevant educational background
- Degree related to the chosen specialization or study track
- Professional experience
- Relevant work experience in water, sustainability, environment, or related sectors
- Motivation
- Strong personal statement demonstrating commitment and future impact
- Recommendations
- Strong academic and/or professional references
Remaining Costs After Scholarship
Students awarded the scholarship will still be responsible for the following estimated expenses:
- Tuition Fee: €12,523 (including 21% VAT)
- Insurance: €684 (subject to increase)
- Visa Costs: €254 (subject to increase)
- Living and Accommodation Costs: Approximately €14,640 for one year in the Netherlands
Applicants must provide proof that they can finance these remaining costs before they become eligible for final scholarship selection.
Delft Blue Top Water Scientist Scholarship
Scholarship Value
The Delft Blue Top Water Scientist Scholarship offers:
- 50% reduction of tuition fees
This scholarship is specifically designed for students admitted to the Research MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 1 July 2026
Selection Criteria
Selection may be based on:
- Outstanding academic achievements
- Relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s specialization
- Relevant research experience
- Relevant professional experience
- Strong motivation
- Quality and relevance of proposed research topic
- Excellent recommendation letters
Remaining Costs After Scholarship
Awardees will still need to cover:
- Tuition Fee: €22,083 (including 21% VAT)
- Insurance: €1,283 (subject to increase)
- Visa Costs: €254 (subject to increase)
- Living and Accommodation Costs: Approximately €27,450 for 22 months in the Netherlands
As with all Delft Blue scholarships, applicants must prove they have sufficient resources to cover these remaining costs.
Delft Blue Scholarship
Scholarship Value
The regular Delft Blue Scholarship provides:
- 35% reduction of tuition fees
This scholarship is available for both:
- MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development
- Research MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development
Application Deadline
There is no fixed deadline for this scholarship.
Applications are reviewed on a:
First-come, first-served rolling basis
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible because available scholarship slots may be filled before the academic year begins.
Remaining Costs for MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development
Recipients will be expected to cover:
- Tuition Fee: €16,281 (including 21% VAT)
- Insurance: €684
- Visa Costs: €254
- Living and Accommodation Costs: Approximately €14,640 for one year
Remaining Costs for Research MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development
Recipients will be expected to cover:
- Tuition Fee: €28,707 (including 21% VAT)
- Insurance: €1,283
- Visa Costs: €254
- Living and Accommodation Costs: Approximately €27,450 for 22 months
Important Scholarship Conditions
Applicants should carefully review the following conditions before applying:
1. Proof of Financial Capacity Is Required
All applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to cover the remaining tuition and living expenses after the scholarship reduction.
2. Scholarship Combination Restrictions
The regular Delft Blue Scholarship cannot be combined with the Water Leader Scholarship.
3. Other Scholarship Awards
If a recipient later receives another scholarship, such as:
- Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)
- Rotary Scholarships
- Other external funding opportunities
The already-paid tuition fee may be refunded, and the IHE Delft scholarship may be withdrawn.
4. Alternative Opportunity for Unsuccessful Applicants
Applicants who apply for the Water Leader Scholarship or Top Water Scientist Scholarship but are not selected may still apply for the regular Delft Blue Scholarship.
Why These Scholarships Matter
Water-related challenges continue to shape global development agendas, including:
- Climate change adaptation
- Sustainable water resource management
- Safe drinking water access
- Urban resilience
- Coastal protection
- Water governance
- Environmental sustainability
The IHE Delft Blue Scholarships help ensure that talented students from around the world can access high-quality education and contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing water challenges.
With tuition reductions of up to 50%, these scholarships significantly lower study costs while allowing students to gain internationally recognized expertise from one of the world’s leading water education institutions.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should first secure admission to one of the eligible master’s programmes at IHE Delft.
After receiving academic admission, eligible applicants can proceed with the scholarship application process by selecting the scholarship category that best matches their academic profile and programme of study.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin their admission and scholarship applications as early as possible, particularly those targeting the highly competitive Water Leader and Top Water Scientist Scholarships with the 1 July 2026 deadline.
For more information about this opportunity, visit here.
Discover more Global Scholarship Opportunities on OFY here.
