The Taiwan ICDF International Higher Education Scholarships are run by the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), a Taipei-based organization that works on technical cooperation and international education and training. The scholarship funds Master's and PhD study at partner universities in Taiwan, and it is tied closely to the fields where the TaiwanICDF does its development work. You can see the full scholarship details on our scholarship page, and this guide walks through what that information means in practice for a Pakistani applicant.
Before anything else, one point decides whether this is worth your time. The TaiwanICDF only accepts applicants from its partner countries, and that list is published for each academic year. Pakistan's inclusion is not something you should assume. Check the current eligible country list first, then read on.
A development-focused scholarship, not a general one
Most government scholarships let you pick almost any subject. This one is narrower. The TaiwanICDF's work is organized around six themes, and the eligible fields follow them closely:
- Agriculture
- Public health and medicine
- Education
- Information and communications technology
- Environment
- Small and medium enterprises
The organization operates across the Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe and the Americas, and part of the appeal is that scholars are connected with global development projects the TaiwanICDF manages. That makes it a good fit for a student who already works in, or wants a career in, public health, agricultural development, ICT for development, environmental policy or SME support. If your plan is a pure research career in an unrelated field, or a degree you picked mainly for the job market in Taiwan, a broader scholarship will probably suit you better.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Levels | Master's and PhD |
| Funding | Full or partial, depending on the program |
| Deadline | Varies. Confirm on the official site |
| Official site | TaiwanICDF scholarship portal |
What the funding package looks like, and where it varies
The funding is listed as full or partial, so do not read this as a guaranteed fully funded award for every program. The benefits generally include these items, each with its own condition:
- Tuition fees, with full coverage confirmed per the specific program guidelines on the official site
- A monthly living allowance, which varies by program level
- Accommodation provisions, subject to university arrangements
- Medical insurance, included as per ICDF scholarship terms
- Economy class airfare for specific routes
Notice how many of these have a qualifier attached. The allowance amount depends on whether you are a Master's or PhD student. Housing depends on the university. Airfare is for specific routes, so you should not assume a ticket from Lahore, Karachi or Islamabad is covered until the program terms say so. Read the guidelines for the exact program you are applying to and note what is and is not included before you plan your finances.
Eligibility starts with your passport
There are four core conditions. You must:
- Meet the nationality requirements set by the TaiwanICDF for partner countries.
- Meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen university program.
- Satisfy the language proficiency standard for that specific degree track.
- Not hold another scholarship at the same time during the award period.
The first condition is the one that filters out the most people. The eligible country list is published for each intake, and it can change. Find the current list on the official TaiwanICDF website and confirm Pakistan is on it before you spend money on tests or attestation.
The fourth condition catches people out too. If you are already holding, or planning to accept, another scholarship for the same period, you cannot hold this one alongside it. Decide which offer you want rather than hoping to stack them.
Academic and language requirements are set per program and per university, so there is no single CGPA or test score that applies across the board. The partner university's own entry requirements are what you need to meet.
The six documents and the translation rule
The standard application file includes:
- A completed application form
- Official academic transcripts
- Diploma certificates
- Language proficiency test scores
- Letters of recommendation
- A medical report
All supporting documents should be officially translated into English or Chinese. For most Pakistani students, transcripts and degrees are already in English, but anything in Urdu (some certificates and records still are) needs a proper translation. Many applicants also get their degrees attested before applying abroad, and our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide covers how that process works in Pakistan. Check with the TaiwanICDF or your partner university whether attestation is actually required for your track.
The medical report is easy to leave until the end. Do not. Clinics can take time, and a rushed report with missing items is a weak point in an otherwise good file.
Two applications, not one
This is the part applicants most often misunderstand. You do not simply apply to a Taiwanese university and hope to be considered. The TaiwanICDF scholarship has its own route, and some program tracks also require a separate application to the partner university. The steps are:
- Visit the official TaiwanICDF website and review the available degree programs and partner universities.
- Prepare your academic documents, transcripts and language certificates.
- Submit the online application through the TaiwanICDF application system.
- Submit a separate application to the partner university if your program track requires it.
- Wait for notification from the TaiwanICDF or the local Taiwan embassy about your application status.
The application also involves coordinating with the local ROC (Taiwan) diplomatic mission. Since country-specific submission guidance can differ, contact the local Taiwan embassy or representative office that covers your country and ask what they need from you. Do this early, not in the final week.
A practical habit: read the partner university's requirements before you submit to the TaiwanICDF. If the university has its own form, deadline or document list, you want to know before you lock in your program choice.
When applications open and close
The official dates vary and are announced annually on the official website. The pattern described for this scholarship is:
- Applications open: announced each year on the official site
- Deadline: typically closes in March of the intake year
- Results: released by June or July
Treat March as a rough guide only, and confirm the exact deadline on the official portal for the current cycle. If the window does follow that pattern, you need your test scores, recommendation letters and translations ready well before then. Submit early, since online systems can take processing time and a last-day upload leaves you no room to fix errors.
Where Pakistani applicants should be careful
Here is where I would focus if I were preparing this application from Pakistan.
Confirm eligibility before anything else. It costs nothing to check the partner country list. It costs a lot to book a language test and pay for translations, then discover your nationality is not on this year's list.
Match your field to the TaiwanICDF themes. A program in public health, agriculture, environment, ICT, education or SMEs fits naturally. Your statement and recommendation letters should show a real link between your past work and the development themes the organization cares about.
Do not assume full funding. Since the funding can be full or partial, read the terms for your exact program. If something is not covered, you may need your own funds for it, and our proof of funds guide explains how Pakistani students usually document that.
Pick a language track you can actually meet. Language standards depend on the degree track. Check what the specific program asks for, and choose the track that matches the test you have or can realistically take in time.
Keep the embassy in the loop. Results can come through the TaiwanICDF or the local Taiwan embassy. Make sure your contact details are correct everywhere and check your email regularly once results season approaches.
If you want to compare this with other options in the same country, see all Taiwan scholarships in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the TaiwanICDF scholarship?
It depends on the official list of partner countries that the TaiwanICDF publishes for each academic year. Check the official website to confirm whether Pakistan is included in the current intake before preparing your application.
Does it fund undergraduate degrees?
The scholarship is listed for Master's and PhD levels at partner universities in Taiwan. Undergraduate study is not among the listed levels, so check the official site if you are looking for a bachelor's option.
Can I apply straight to a Taiwanese university instead?
Not for this scholarship. You need to follow the TaiwanICDF route, which means applying through its online portal and coordinating with the local ROC (Taiwan) diplomatic mission. Some tracks also need a separate university application on top of that.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
Funding is listed as full or partial. Benefits typically include tuition, a monthly living allowance, accommodation, medical insurance and economy class airfare, but each depends on the specific program terms, the program level, university arrangements or the travel route.
Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?
No. Applicants must not hold other scholarships concurrently during the award period.
In which language should my documents be?
Supporting documents should be officially translated into English or Chinese if they are in another language.
Dates, the partner country list and benefits can change each year, so confirm the current details on the official TaiwanICDF website and keep the full scholarship page handy while you prepare.