Kipaji Scholarship 2026 at University of Twente Scholarship (UTS)

Talented students from developing economies often have the academic ability to compete globally but lack the financial runway to finish the journey. For the 2026–2027 academic cohort, the Kipaji Scholarship quietly steps in to close that gap. Offered in collaboration with the University of Twente Scholarship (UTS), this funding is designed to complete the financial puzzle for outstanding master’s students who already earn partial support but still face unmet study costs.

This article explains what the Kipaji Scholarship 2026 is, who it is meant for, how much funding it provides, which master’s programmes are covered, how eligibility works, and how the selection process happens—all written for international applicants planning their move to the Netherlands for the 2026–2027 intake.

What Type of Opportunity Is the Kipaji Scholarship?

The Kipaji Scholarship is not a standalone scholarship. It is a supplementary funding opportunity created specifically to support high-potential students from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Other Low-Income Countries listed on the OECD-DAC list.

It is designed for students who:

• Already qualify for a University of Twente Scholarship (UTS), and
• Need additional financial support to realistically afford living and study-related costs in the Netherlands.

The Kipaji Scholarship 2026 will be available for new master’s degree entrants in the 2026–2027 academic year. It is not available to current University of Twente students and not offered for ITC (Geo-Information Science & Earth Observation) master’s programmes.

Who Founded This Scholarship?

The Kipaji Scholarship Fund was established by alumni and close supporters of the University of Twente, with continued backing from university staff and graduates. Each year, the fund is sustained through alumni fundraising campaigns.

The philosophy is simple:

Talent should not be blocked by geography or income level.

Kipaji exists to ensure that students who can already prove academic excellence are not forced to abandon their plans due to financial limitations.

What Does the Kipaji Scholarship Offer?

The Kipaji Scholarship provides up to €12,000 as a direct financial grant. The key points to understand:

• The funds are paid to the student, not to the university
• The money is meant to cover study-related and living costs
• No tuition fees are paid on your behalf
• You decide how the money is used (housing, insurance, materials, daily living)

This makes Kipaji especially valuable as a top-up scholarship, often turning a partial UTS award into something close to a full financial package.

Eligible Master’s Programmes at the University of Twente

Applicants must be admitted to one of the eligible master’s programmes offered by the University of Twente. These include, but are not limited to:

1. Robotics
2. Business Information Technology
3. Philosophy of Science, Technology & Society
4. Mechanical Engineering
5. Applied Physics
6. Public Administration
7. Nanotechnology
8. Environmental & Energy Management
9. Computer Science
10. Psychology
11. Sustainable Energy Technology
12. Chemical Science & Engineering
13. Industrial Design Engineering
14. Water Technology
15. Applied Mathematics
16. Electrical Engineering
17. Biomedical Engineering
18. Embedded Systems
19. Business Administration
20. Technical Medicine

Excluded: Master’s programmes at the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC).

Eligibility Checks: Who Can Be Considered?

To be considered for the Kipaji Scholarship 2026, applicants must first qualify for and receive a University of Twente Scholarship (UTS). In addition to meeting all UTS requirements, candidates must also satisfy the following conditions:

• Hold the nationality of a DAC-listed Least Developed Country or Other Low-Income Country
• Have completed a Bachelor’s degree in the home country or a neighbouring country (not at the University of Twente)
• Receive a partial or full University of Twente Scholarship
• Have strong academic performance, typically an average grade of 8/10 in the pre-master or bachelor programme
• Demonstrate a clear development-focused motivation, explaining how their studies will:
  1. Enhance scientific capacity in their home country, or
  2. Support entrepreneurial or innovation-driven outcomes after graduation.

How the Kipaji Scholarship Application Works? (Important)

There is no separate application portal for the Kipaji Scholarship. Here’s how the process works in practice:

1. Apply for admission to an eligible master’s programme at the University of Twente
2. Apply for the University of Twente Scholarship (UTS)
3. In your UTS motivation letter, clearly state that you also wish to be considered for the Kipaji Scholarship, if you meet the criteria
4. Eligible candidates are nominated by their faculty
5. Upon request, you may be asked to submit an additional motivation letter focused on development impact

You cannot apply independently for Kipaji. Selection is faculty-driven and linked directly to UTS outcomes.