The Orange Knowledge Programme, usually shortened to OKP, is a Dutch government scholarship for people who already have a career. It is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic, and it pays for mid-career professionals from selected countries to take a Master's degree or a short course at a Dutch higher education institution. If you are a fresh graduate looking for your first postgraduate degree, this is probably the wrong scholarship for you. If you have been working for a while and your employer would back your study, read on. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing as well.
The key idea behind OKP is that the money is meant to come back home. The programme was set up to build capacity in individuals and in organisations, and to support long-term cooperation between Dutch knowledge institutions and institutions in partner countries. Selection leans heavily on whether you can actually use what you learn once you return to your job.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Study levels | Master's degrees and short courses |
| Fields | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Funder | Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (managed by Nuffic) |
| Official site | Nuffic OKP page |
A scholarship built for working professionals, not fresh graduates
Most scholarships Pakistani students look at are judged on grades, test scores and research potential. OKP is different. Participants are selected on their professional background, on how relevant their chosen study is to their home country's needs, and on their potential to contribute to their sector after they return. The Dutch government also sets priority areas for the programme, so a course that fits those areas will be in a stronger position than one that does not.
That has two practical consequences. First, your employer matters almost as much as you do, because an employer's statement is a formal requirement. Second, your motivation statement has to read like a development plan, not a personal dream. "I want to study in Europe" will not carry you. "My department lacks expertise in X, this course teaches X, and here is how I will apply it in my role" is the kind of argument OKP is designed to reward.
Who should skip it? People without a job they intend to go back to, people whose employer will not sign a statement, and anyone who wants a long research degree. OKP covers Master's programmes and short courses only.
The money side: tuition, allowance, flights and insurance
OKP is listed as fully funded. The coverage includes:
- Full tuition fees at the Dutch institution
- A living allowance
- Visa costs
- Round-trip airfare
- Health insurance
The exact value of the living allowance is not fixed in the information we have, so check the current amount on the official Nuffic page before you plan your budget. One rule is easy to miss: you must not be receiving any other scholarship for the same period. If you already hold funding from another source for those dates, you will have to choose.
Is Pakistan on the OKP country list?
This is the first thing to settle, and it is the question many applicants skip. OKP is open only to professionals who are nationals of, and work in, specific countries chosen by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The list can change between rounds. Do not assume Pakistan is included. Open the official Orange Knowledge Programme page on Nuffic and check the list of eligible countries for the round you are targeting before you spend any time on applications.
If your nationality is on the list, the remaining requirements are:
- You are a professional and a national of an OKP-eligible country
- You have an employer's statement in the format provided by Nuffic
- You have a government statement that meets the requirements of your local government
- You are not receiving any other scholarship for the same period
- You hold a valid passport
- You meet the admission requirements of the Dutch institution you choose
The government statement is the one that surprises people. It is a separate document from the employer's statement, and its requirements are set locally, so find out early which office handles it and how long it takes.
Paperwork: the employer's statement comes first
The document list is short, but two items on it depend on other people, which is why they cause most delays.
- Employer's statement
- Government statement
- Valid passport
- Admission letter from the Dutch institution
- Motivation statement
Your employer's statement must follow the exact Nuffic format, and it must be signed and stamped as that format requires. A letter on company letterhead written in your own words is not the same thing. Ask HR or your manager early, show them the template, and give them time. For general preparation of academic papers and translations, our scholarship documents checklist is a useful companion.
Admission first, scholarship second
The order of steps is the part applicants most often get wrong. You do not apply to Nuffic directly at the start. The sequence is:
- Check the eligibility criteria on the official Nuffic website, including the country list.
- Find a course that is eligible for the Orange Knowledge Programme. Not every Dutch course is.
- Apply for admission to that course at the Dutch institution.
- Once admitted, apply for the OKP scholarship through the institution's portal.
- Submit all required documents before the deadline.
- Wait for the selection results from Nuffic.
Because the scholarship application runs through the institution after you are admitted, a slow admission process can push you past the scholarship deadline. Start the university application well in advance, and verify that your chosen course is officially registered for OKP before you pay any application fees or invest weeks in a personal statement for it.
When the OKP round opens
There is no fixed date we can give you. The opening date, the deadline and the application period all vary by round, so check the official Nuffic website for current round dates. Both the deadline and the course list are set per round, and the eligible country list should also be checked again for the specific round you apply in. Treat any date you find on a forum or an old post as unconfirmed until you see it on the Nuffic page or on your Dutch institution's scholarship page.
Where OKP applications usually go wrong
From the way the programme is structured, a few weak points stand out.
The first is picking a course before checking eligibility. A strong admission to an unregistered course gets you nothing from OKP. Confirm the course is on the OKP list first.
The second is a generic motivation statement. The selection criteria are about relevance to your home country's needs and your ability to apply what you learn. Name your organisation, describe the gap, and connect specific parts of the course to specific changes you will make when you return. Vague talk about "global exposure" wastes the space.
The third is an employer's statement that does not match the Nuffic format. Check the signature and stamp requirements line by line.
The fourth is overlapping funding. If you have another scholarship for the same period, you are not eligible, so sort that out before applying.
Finally, remember that a scholarship is not a visa. Visa costs are covered, but you still need to go through the visa process. Our guide to common student visa rejection reasons covers the mistakes that tend to cause trouble. For other options in the same country, see all Netherlands scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani professionals apply for OKP?
Only if Pakistan is on the list of eligible countries for the round you are applying in. The programme is limited to nationals of, and people working in, countries identified by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Check the current list on the Nuffic website.
Does OKP cover all my expenses?
It is a fully funded scholarship covering tuition, a living allowance, visa costs, round-trip airfare and health insurance. Confirm the current allowance amount on the official site when you budget.
Can I apply for a PhD through OKP?
The eligible levels are Master's degrees and short courses. A PhD is not among them.
Do I apply to Nuffic or to the university?
Both, in order. First apply for admission to an eligible course at a Dutch institution. After you are admitted, apply for the OKP scholarship through that institution's portal. Nuffic announces the selection results.
Can I hold OKP alongside another scholarship?
No. You must not be receiving any other scholarship for the same period.
What is the OKP deadline?
It varies by round. Check the official Nuffic page and your Dutch institution for the current dates.
Before you start, confirm the current round, country list and deadline on the official Nuffic OKP website, and keep the full OKP scholarship page handy as you prepare.