Scholarship watch: Indonesia KNB offer still open?

Indonesia KNB Scholarship: Are Applications Still Open for African Students?

Date checked: 11 November 2026

Students across Africa who are hoping to study abroad through the Indonesian Government's KNB Scholarship may need to prepare for the next application cycle, as the 2026 application window has closed.

The Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) Scholarship is an Indonesian Government-funded programme designed to provide educational opportunities to international students from developing countries. It allows successful candidates to pursue undergraduate, master's and doctoral studies at participating universities in Indonesia.

The scholarship is particularly relevant to African students, including Nigerians, who are searching for international study opportunities and financial support for higher education.

Is the KNB Scholarship Still Open?

According to the 2026 KNB Scholarship application guidelines, the application period opened on 2 February 2026 and closed on 31 March 2026.

This means that students who have not submitted their applications cannot apply through the 2026 application window. Interested candidates should instead monitor the official scholarship portal for information about the next application cycle.

The scholarship programme provides opportunities for qualified international students to study in different academic fields at selected Indonesian universities. However, applicants must meet the admission and scholarship requirements before they can be considered.

Who Can Apply?

The KNB Scholarship is available to eligible international applicants from developing countries, including participating African nations.

Candidates interested in undergraduate programmes must possess the required secondary school qualifications. The maximum age for bachelor's degree applicants is 21 years.

For master's programmes, applicants are generally expected to hold a bachelor's degree and satisfy the programme's academic and age requirements.

Doctoral applicants must possess the appropriate postgraduate qualifications and meet additional research-related requirements.

Applicants should carefully examine the official guidelines because eligibility conditions may differ depending on the level of study.

Important Documents Applicants Should Prepare

Students hoping to apply during the next application cycle should begin gathering the necessary documents early.

Some of the important documents required include:

1. A valid international passport.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
3. Academic certificates and transcripts.
4. English language proficiency certificate, where applicable.
5. Academic recommendation letter.
6. Recommendation letter from an employer or immediate supervisor, where applicable.
7. Medical report.
8. Recommendation letter from the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate.
9. Yellow Fever vaccination certificate for applicants from relevant countries.

Doctoral applicants may also need additional documents, including a research proposal, statement of purpose and recommendation from a prospective academic supervisor.

Applicants should consult the official guidelines to confirm the complete requirements for their chosen programme.

What Should African Students Do Next?

Although the 2026 application period has ended, prospective applicants can use this period to prepare for future opportunities.

Students should organise their academic documents, check their passport validity and research participating Indonesian universities. They should also monitor official announcements to avoid missing future application deadlines.

It is important to understand that submitting an application does not guarantee scholarship selection, university admission or visa approval.

African students interested in studying in Indonesia should obtain information directly from the official scholarship website rather than relying on unofficial agents or social media announcements.

Official KNB Scholarship website: https://knb.kemdiktisaintek.go.id/

Conclusion

The Indonesia KNB Scholarship remains an important international education opportunity for students from eligible developing countries. Although the 2026 application deadline has passed, early preparation could help interested African students get ready for the next opportunity.