Indonesian Government KNB Scholarship for Developing Countries

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The Indonesian government has opened applications for its KNB Scholarship Program 2026–2027 (Kemitraan Negara Berkembang). This financial aid program is offered by Indonesia to international students from developing countries who wish to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at an Indonesian university. The scholarship covers tuition fees, provides a monthly living allowance, includes settlement and research support, health insurance, round-trip airfare, and local transportation. The application period runs from February 2 to March 31, 2026.

This year, 47 Indonesian universities are participating in the KNB program, offering around 200 scholarships across all academic levels and fields of study.

Indonesia is one of the most affordable countries in the world, making it an attractive study destination for students with a limited budget. The cost of living is significantly lower than in many other Asian countries. A number of higher education institutions in the country are also counted among the world’s leading universities and are recognized by the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Program Details

• Application period: from February 2 to March 31, 2026.
• Eligible study levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate.
• Number of partner universities: 47 Indonesian universities, representing 1,173 study programs, welcome KNB students.
• Results: results will be published on June 19, 2026, followed by administrative registration from June 22 to 26. Arrival in Indonesia is scheduled for late August.
• Scholarship duration:
  • Bachelor’s: up to 8 semesters (around 48 months).
  • Master’s: 4 semesters (around 24 months).
  • Doctorate: 8 semesters (up to 48 months).
  • A one-year Bahasa Indonesia language preparation program (BIPA) is mandatory for all students.

KNB Scholarship Amount and Benefits

Recipients of an Indonesian government scholarship receive:

1. A settlement allowance paid upon arrival in Indonesia.
2. Coverage of tuition fees and the language course throughout the full duration of the program.
3. A monthly living allowance to cover day-to-day expenses in Indonesia.
4. A monthly allowance for research and book purchases.
5. Health insurance covering medical treatment and hospitalization.
6. Funding for the publication of one scientific article for master’s and doctoral students.
7. Round-trip economy-class airfare and local transportation to the host university.

Note: beneficiaries must return to their home country no later than 60 days after the end of the program, and any expenses not explicitly covered by the scholarship remain the student’s responsibility.

Duration of the Indonesian KNB Scholarships

The KNB Scholarship 2026 is awarded for a period that depends on the chosen level of study:

• Doctorate: up to 48 months, or 8 semesters
• Master’s: up to 24 months, or 4 semesters
• Bachelor’s: up to 48 months, or 8 semesters

Eligible Universities and Programs

The KNB program is available at 47 partner universities, covering more than 1,170 academic programs. Participating institutions include:

1. Universitas Indonesia,
2. Universitas Gadjah Mada,
3. Institut Teknologi Bandung,
4. Universitas Airlangga,
5. IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University),
6. Institut Technologi Sepuluh Nopember,
7. Universitas Padjadjaran,
8. Universitas Diponegoro,
9. Universitas Brawijaya,
10. and Universitas Bina Nusantara.

You can download the KNB Scholarship Guide, which includes contact details for university representatives as well as a list of available programs and degrees.

Eligibility Requirements for the KNB Scholarships

To qualify for the KNB scholarships, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Be a citizen of a developing country or a country that maintains bilateral relations with Indonesia.
• Meet the age limits as of December 31, 2026: maximum 21 years old for bachelor’s, 35 for master’s, and 40 for doctoral studies.
• Hold the required qualification: secondary school diploma for bachelor’s, bachelor’s degree for master’s, and master’s degree for doctoral studies.
• Demonstrate English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/TOEIC) or provide proof of prior education in English.
• Be in good health and commit not to be pregnant or in military service during the scholarship period.

How to Apply for the KNB Scholarships 2026

To apply for the KNB scholarship, candidates must complete several steps.

1. The first step is to download the KNB Scholarship Offering Letter.
2. Applicants must then contact the Indonesian Embassy and submit a file in order to obtain an official letter of recommendation. The documents required at this stage are:
   • the KNB Scholarship Offering Letter;
   • a valid official passport;
   • a curriculum vitae;
   • proof of English proficiency for applicants from non-English-speaking countries;
   • a recommendation letter from the employer or immediate supervisor;
   • an academic recommendation letter issued by the applicant’s previous institution(s);
   • degrees and academic transcripts from the most recent course of study;
   • a medical certificate;
   • a recommendation letter from a prospective research supervisor at one of the KNB partner universities, for doctoral applicants only;
   • a statement of purpose explaining the proposed study project in Indonesia, also required only for doctoral applicants.
3. Once the recommendation letter has been obtained from the Indonesian Embassy, applicants must prepare and submit their full application file, including:
   • the KNB Scholarship Offering Letter;
   • an official passport;
   • proof of English proficiency, where applicable;
   • a curriculum vitae;
   • a medical certificate;
   • the recommendation letter from the Indonesian Embassy;
   • a recommendation letter from the employer or immediate supervisor;
   • an academic recommendation letter from the previously attended institution;
   • degrees and academic transcripts from the most recently completed qualification.

After that, applicants must complete the online application through the official program platform: [https://knb.kemdiktisaintek.go.id/](https://knb.kemdiktisaintek.go.id/).

Eligible applicants must then go through all stages of the selection process, which include both an administrative review and an academic assessment. Online interviews and psychological tests, organized by certain partner universities, may also be required.

Finally, the selection results are published online on the official KNB scholarship website and formally announced through the Indonesian publication network.

Contact

For any questions about the Indonesian government’s KNB Scholarship Program 2026/2027, contact [email protected] or visit the program’s official website.

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