KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship 2026 in Indonesia (Fully Funded)

Indonesia is one of the fastest-growing education destinations in Southeast Asia, offering high-quality universities, low living costs, rich cultural immersion, and strong government support for international students from developing countries. The Kemitraan Negara Berkembang KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia is one of the most comprehensive and competitive fully funded scholarship programs available worldwide. Also apply for Erasmus Mundus IMAPP Scholarships

The KNB Scholarship covers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees at 30+ leading Indonesian universities. It provides full tuition, monthly living allowance, settlement allowance, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and book allowance allowing scholars to focus entirely on their studies and future contribution to their home countries. Also apply for Karnten Healthcare and Nursing Scholarship 2026 in Austria 

What Is the KNB Scholarship?

The KNB (Developing Countries Partnership) Scholarship was launched to strengthen cooperation and human resource development between Indonesia and developing nations. It supports full-degree programs (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD) in almost all academic fields.

Key facts:

• Fully funded (tuition + stipend + airfare + insurance + more)
• No application fee
• Open to nationals of developing countries (very broad list most non-OECD countries eligible)
• More than 1,000 scholarships awarded since inception
• 30+ partner universities across Indonesia (Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, etc.)
• Language: Many programs in English; Indonesian language course provided if needed
• Deadline: 31 March 2026 (main round)
• Results: June–July 2026

Scholars must return to their home country after graduation to contribute to development.

Eligibility Criteria

You qualify if you meet all of these:

• Be a citizen of a developing country (check the official eligible list when the call opens)
• Maximum age: 35 years (Bachelor’s & Master’s), 40 years (PhD) as of 31 December 2026
• Hold a relevant prior degree:
  • Bachelor’s applicants: high school diploma
  • Master’s applicants: Bachelor’s degree
  • PhD applicants: Master’s degree
• Minimum GPA/grade equivalent: good academic record (no strict cutoff published, but strong grades help)
• English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 80 / IELTS 6.0 / TOEIC 700 (or equivalent) certificate must be less than 2 years old
• Not currently studying in Indonesia
• Not previously received KNB or similar Indonesian government scholarship
• Commit to return home after graduation

Strong opinion: The English test requirement is real, but many applicants succeed with exactly IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80. Start preparing early.

Also Check:

• American University of Dubai Scholarship 2026
• Webster University Vienna Scholarships

Scholarship Benefits – Fully Funded Package

The KNB Scholarship is comprehensive:

• Full tuition fee waiver for the entire program
• Monthly living allowance (varies by degree level – covers accommodation, food, transport)
• One-time settlement allowance (IDR 1,500,000 ≈ USD 100) upon arrival
• Book allowance (included in monthly stipend)
• Round-trip economy airfare from home country to Indonesia
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Indonesian language course (if needed – up to 12 months)
• Thesis/dissertation research allowance (PhD level)

Table: Approximate Monthly Allowance (2026 estimates)

Additional: settlement allowance + airfare + insurance. No family support.

Programs You Can Pick

KNB supports almost all fields at 30+ partner universities:

Humanities: Literature, Linguistics, History, Philosophy, Anthropology, Cultural Studies Engineering: Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Geological, Informatics, Environmental, Naval Architecture Science: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Geography, Environmental Sciences, Public Health, Pharmacy, Nursing Social Sciences: Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Law, Economics/Development Studies, Communication & Media, International Relations, Accounting, Management, Community Empowerment Education: Indonesian Education, Educational Science, Social/Natural Science Education, Vocational & Technology Education, Applied Linguistics

Many programs are taught in English; others offer Indonesian language preparation.

Partner universities include:

• Universitas Indonesia (Jakarta)
• Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)
• Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM, Yogyakarta)
• IPB University (Bogor)
• Universitas Airlangga (Surabaya)
• And many others

Full list published when the call opens.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume (with recent photo)
• Bachelor’s / Master’s degree certificate & transcripts (for higher levels)
• High school diploma (Bachelor’s applicants)
• Two recommendation letters (from employer / university official)
• Health / fitness certificate (government hospital)
• Passport copy
• TOEFL iBT 80 / IELTS 6.0 / TOEIC 700 certificate (less than 2 years old)
• Motivation letter / study plan (handwritten, ≈500 words)
• Parents’ affidavit / commitment to return home

Living Costs in Indonesia (Covered by Stipend)

Single IDR 5,000,000–10,000,000/month (≈ USD 320–650) Rent IDR 2,000,000–4,000,000 shared Food IDR 1,500,000–2,500,000 Transport IDR 500,000

Stipend covers living costs well in most cities.

Application Checklist

• Prepare TOEFL/IELTS early (if needed)
• Collect degree certificates & transcripts
• Secure 2 strong recommendation letters
• Write clear motivation letter / study plan
• Register on knb.kemdikbud.go.id
• Submit by 31 March 2026
• Track email for updates

How to Apply for KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship?

1. Register and create an account on Official website below
2. Fill in all personal, educational, and professional details
3. Upload all required documents (scanned in PDF)
4. Choose up to 3 programs/universities in priority order
5. Submit before 31 March 2026
6. Academic selection & interviews: May–June 2026
7. Final results: June–July 2026

Tip: The motivation letter is critical explain your development goals and how you will contribute to your country after graduation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying after deadline. Weak motivation letter (no clear development impact). Not providing recent English test. Incomplete document upload. Choosing programs not aligned with background.

PAA: Fully funded? Yes (tuition + stipend + airfare + insurance). Deadline? 31 March 2026. No IELTS? No TOEFL/IELTS required.