Study in Indonesia: Fully Funded KNB Scholarship for BSc, Masters, and PhD 2025/2026

The KNB Scholarship is a special program sponsored by the Indonesian government. It helps students from developing countries study for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree at top universities in Indonesia. This scholarship started in 1992 and was first given to students from Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries. Later, in 2002, it became open to students from many other countries, including Asia, Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. The goal is to build strong friendships between Indonesia and other nations while helping students become future leaders.

With the KNB Scholarship, students can study at 34 universities in Indonesia and experience a rich and diverse culture. The program helps students improve their skills, earn a good degree, and find better job opportunities after graduation. In 2025, around 200 students will be chosen for the scholarship, giving them the chance to learn in a top-quality education system while enjoying Indonesia’s multicultural environment.

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Scholarship Benefits

• Tuition Fees: The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition at the university.
• Living Allowance: The scholarship provides money every month to help with daily expenses.
• Settling-In Allowance: A one-time payment to help students settle in Indonesia.
• Book and Research Allowance: Extra money to buy books and support research.
• Health Insurance: Free medical insurance for the entire study period.
• Indonesian Language Course: Before starting the main program, students get a free Bahasa Indonesia course to help them communicate better.
• Transportation: A flight ticket from the student’s home country to Indonesia and back home after graduation.

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Eligibility Criteria

For Bachelor’s Degree Applicants

• Age Limit: Must be 21 years old or younger by December 31, 2025.
• Educational Background: Must have a high school diploma.
• English Proficiency: Must have a valid English Proficiency Test score:
  • TOEFL ITP: 477
  • TOEFL IBT: 53
  • IELTS: 5.5
  • TOEIC: 510
  • Or equivalent (certificates must be from the last 2 years)

Note: Applicants from English-speaking countries or universities using English are exempted (proof required).

For Master’s Degree Applicants

• Age Limit: The maximum age to apply for the scholarship is 35 years old.
• Educational Background: Hold a Bachelor’s degree. ( Master’s degree holders are not advisable to apply for bachelor’s degree scholarships ).
• English Proficiency: Must have a valid English Proficiency Test score:
  • TOEFL ITP: 477
  • TOEFL IBT: 53
  • IELTS: 5.5
  • TOEIC: 510
  • Or equivalent (certificates must be from the last 2 years)

For PhD Applicants

• Age Limit: The maximum age to apply for the scholarship is 40 years old.
• Educational Background: Hold a Master’s degree (please provide the scanned degree certificate and academic transcripts in English or Bahasa). Please be advised that the Doctorate holder is not eligible to apply for the Doctorate Degree scholarship.
• Obtain a recommendation letter in English or Bahasa from the potential research supervisor in one of the universities providing partners of the KNB Scholarship.
• Provide a statement of purpose that at least states the purpose of their studies, the origin of their interest in studying in Indonesia and pursuing their chosen research topic, and their plan for the academic future (dissertation proposal)
• Provide an Academic Certificate and Academic Transcript of Master Degree in English or Bahasa.
• Prove citizenship by submitting an Official Passport, which is still valid for at least 2 years.

Application Fee

There is no application fee for the KNB Scholarship.

You do not need to apply separately for the Master’s program under the KNB Scholarship. You can apply through the same application process for all degree levels (Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral) as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

Application Deadline

The application period begins on 17th February 2025. The deadline for submitting applications is 7th March 2025

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Application Documents

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Scan of valid passport (valid until at least December 31, 2026)
• English Proficiency Test Score (if applicable):
• Recommendation Letter from the Employer/Immediate Supervisor (in English or Bahasa) (if working)
• Academic Recommendation Letter from Previous Schools (in English or Bahasa)
• Academic Certificate and Academic Transcript from previous degree (in English or Bahasa)Must be legalized by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the applicant’s country
• Recommendation Letter from the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General (only from the applicant’s origin country)
• Recommendation Letter from a Potential Research Supervisor (for doctoral applicants only)
• Statement of Purpose for Studies in Indonesia (for doctoral applicants only, in English or Bahasa)

Application Procedure

• Download the Scholarship Letter
• Contact the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General in your country and submit all required documents
• The Embassy will check your documents and give you a recommendation letter.
• After getting the recommendation letter, go to the KNB Scholarship website create an account, fill in your details and upload all the required documents (make sure they are clear and in the correct format).
• Submit your application before the deadline.

Official Scholarship Page