Fully Funded KNB Scholarship: Studying in Indonesia 2026

The KNB Scholarship (Kemitraan Negara Berkembang) is a prestigious, fully funded financial assistance program offered by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to international students from developing countries. It covers tuition fees, living allowances, health insurance, and round-trip airfare for Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral degrees at 34 of Indonesia’s top universities. If you are looking to advance your academic career in 2026, this opportunity is your gateway to world-class education and a vibrant cultural experience.

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What is the KNB Scholarship?

Originally conceived in 1992 for NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) member countries, the scholarship was rebranded in 2002 as “Kemitraan Negara Berkembang” (Developing Countries Partnership) to welcome a global audience. Today, it accepts applicants from developing nations across Asia, the Pacific, South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe.

The vision is simple but powerful: to nurture future leaders and build strong people-to-people relations between Indonesia and the world. By 2025/2026, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology aims to accept around 200 new awardees across three degree levels.

KNB Scholarship Benefits and Coverage

One of the main reasons this scholarship ranks so highly among international students is its comprehensive coverage. The Indonesian Government ensures you can focus entirely on your studies without financial stress.

The KNB Scholarship covers:

Tuition Fees: Fully paid directly to the university.
Settlement Allowance: A one-time payment given upon your arrival in Indonesia to help you get settled.
Living Allowance: A monthly stipend to cover daily expenses.
Book Allowance: Monthly funds specifically for academic materials.
Research Allowance: Support for your thesis or dissertation research.
Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage during your stay.
Airfare: Economy class round-trip tickets (from your home country to Indonesia and back upon graduation).
Transport: Local transport to your host university.
Indonesian Language Course: A fully covered 12-month Bahasa Indonesia course before your academic program begins.

KNB Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, you must meet specific age and academic criteria based on the degree you are pursuing.

1. Bachelor Degree

The maximum age to apply for the scholarship is 21 years old, no more than December 31st, 2025.
Hold a High School degree. Please be advised that bachelor degree holder is not eligible to apply for the bachelor degree scholarship.
Have the English Proﬁciency Test Score minimum as follows: TOEFL ITP of 477, TOEFL IBT of 53, IELTS of 5,5, TOEIC of 510 or equivalent (the certificate must be obtained within the last 2 Years). Participants of foreign nationality who come from English-speaking countries, or participants from university who are enrolled in programs in English (stated in participant diploma/transcript), do not required to submit the English Proficiency document, by attaching official proof from their home university.
Provide the recommendation letter to apply for the KNB scholarship from the Indonesian Embassy or the Indonesian Consulate General. Please note that, KNB Scholarship Management only accept the recommendation letter from the Indonesian Representative in your origin country (from the embassy of Republic of Indonesia or Consulate General.
Provide recommendation letter to apply for the KNB scholarship from The employer/immediate supervisor in English or Bahasa (if working).
Provide Academic Recommendation Letter from previous schools in English or Bahasa.
Provide The Scanned Academic Certificate and Academic Transcripts Copy of High School Degree in English or Bahasa, that has been legalized by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the applicant’s country.
Prove of citizenship by submit Oﬃcial Passport, which is still valid for at least December 31st, 2026.
Complete the online application form in http://knb.kemdiktisaintek.go.id
All required documents must be scanned into electronic documents in .jpeg or .jpg format with a maximum size per file of 300kb to avoid technical problems when uploading files due to poor internet connection or interference with the server;
Please note that, one applicant only have one account to register in KNB Scholarship website, so make sure that all your document requirements are complete and correct before you finish the registration
Note : Please be advised that document (5), (6) and (7) must be in English or Bahasa

2. Master Degree

The maximum age to apply for the scholarship is 35 years old, no more than December 31st, 2025.
Hold a bachelor degree. Please be advised that master degree holder is not eligible to apply for the Master Degree scholarship.
Have the English Proﬁciency Test Score minimum as follows: TOEFL ITP of 500, TOEFL IBT of 61, IELTS of 6,0, TOEIC of 575 or equivalent (the certiﬁcate must be obtained within the last 2 Years). Participants of foreign nationality who come from English-speaking countries, or participants from university who are enrolled in programs in English (stated in participant diploma/transcript), do not required to submit the English Proficiency document, by attaching official proof from their home university.
Provide the recommendation letter to apply for the KNB scholarship from the Indonesian Embassy or the Indonesian Consulate General.
Provide recommendation letter to apply for the KNB scholarship from The employer/immediate supervisor in English or Bahasa (if working).
Provide Academic Recommendation Letter from previous schools in English or Bahasa.
Provide The Scanned Academic Certificate and Academic Transcripts Copy of Bachelor Degree in English or Bahasa, that has been legalized by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the applicant’s country.
Prove of citizenship by submit Oﬃcial Passport, which is still valid for at least December 31st, 2026.
Complete the online application form in http://knb.kemdiktisaintek.go.id
All required documents must be scanned into electronic documents in .jpeg or .jpg format with a maximum size per file of 300kb to avoid technical problems when uploading files due to poor internet connection or interference with the server;
Please note that, one applicant only have one account to register in KNB Scholarship website, so make sure that all your document requirements are complete and correct before you finish the registration
Note : Please be advised that document (5), (6) and (7) must be in English or Bahasa

3. Doctoral Degree (PhD)

The maximum age to apply for the scholarship is 40 years old, no more than December 31st, 2025.
Hold a master degree. Please be advised that Doctorate degree holder is not eligible to apply.
Obtain a recommendation letter in English or Bahasa from the potential research supervisor in one of the universities providing partner of the KNB Scholarship.
Provide a statement of purpose that at least states the purpose of their studies, the origin of their interests in studying in Indonesia and pursuing their chose research topic and their plans for the academic future (dissertation proposal) in English or Bahasa.
Have the English Proﬁciency Test Score minimum as follows: TOEFL ITP of 530, TOEFL IBT of 71, IELTS of 6,0, TOEIC of 640 or equivalent (the certiﬁcate must be obtained within the last 2 Years). Participants of foreign nationality who come from English-speaking countries, or participants from university who are enrolled in programs in English (stated in participant diploma/transcript), do not required to submit the English Proficiency document, by attaching official proof from their home university.
Provide the recommendation letter to apply for the KNB scholarship from the Indonesian Embassy or the Indonesian Consulate General.
Provide recommendation letter to apply for the KNB scholarship from The employer/immediate supervisor in English or Bahasa (if working)
Provide Academic Recommendation Letter from previous schools in English or Bahasa.
Provide The Scanned Academic Certificate and Academic Transcripts Copy of Master Degree in English or Bahasa, that has been legalized by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the applicant’s country.
Prove of citizenship by submit Oﬃcial Passport, which is still valid for at least December 31st, 2026.
Complete the online application form in http://knb.kemdiktisaintek.go.id.
All required documents must be scanned into electronic documents in .jpeg or .jpg format with a maximum size per file of 300kb to avoid technical problems when uploading files due to poor internet connection or interference with the server;
Please note that, one applicant only have one account to register in KNB Scholarship website, so make sure that all your document requirements are complete and correct before you finish the registration
Note : Please be advised that document (3), (4), (7), (8) and (9) must be in English or Bahasa

Important Note on English Scores: If you are from an English-speaking country or your previous degree was taught entirely in English, you are exempt from the proficiency test requirement. You must simply attach official proof from your home university.

Application Procedure

The application process for the KNB Scholarship is unique because it involves both offline and online steps. You cannot simply register online without visiting an embassy first.

Step 1: Download the Offering Letter Visit the official KNB Scholarship website to download the KNB Scholarship Offering Letter.

Step 2: Get the Embassy Recommendation (Crucial Step) You must visit the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General in your home country. You will need to submit documents like your CV, passport, English scores, and academic transcripts to them.

The Embassy will review your background (GPA, reputation, document validity).
Once approved, they will issue an Indonesian Embassy Recommendation Letter.
Note: The letter must be signed in 2025/2026 to be valid for this cycle.

Step 3: Online Registration Once you have the recommendation letter, return to the KNB website to complete your profile.

Upload Format: All documents must be scanned in .jpeg or .jpg format.
File Size: Maximum 300kb per file. This is strict—files larger than this often cause upload failures due to server constraints.
One Account Rule: You are only allowed one account. Ensure your data is perfect before hitting submit.

KNB Scholarship 2026 Selection Schedule

Mark these dates in your calendar. Missing a deadline usually means waiting another full year.

Application Submission: 02 February 2026 – 31 March 2026
Embassy Data Verification: 06 April 2026 – 17 April 2026
Institutional Verification: 20 April 2026 – 30 April 2026
Academic Selection: 04 May 2026 – 12 June 2026
Final Announcement: 19 June 2026
Re-Registration: 22 June 2026 – 26 June 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the KNB Scholarship fully funded? Yes. It covers tuition, living expenses, settlement allowances, research costs, health insurance, and airfare.

Do I need to speak Indonesian to apply? No. However, all awardees will undergo a mandatory 12-month Indonesian Language Course (Bahasa Indonesia) upon arrival to help them integrate into society and the academic environment.

Can I work while studying on this scholarship? The KNB scholarship is designed for full-time study. Most student visas in Indonesia strictly regulate or prohibit formal employment. The monthly stipend is provided to cover your living costs so you can focus on your degree.

What happens if my name on the application is different from my passport? Your name must match your passport exactly. Discrepancies can lead to rejection during the verification process or issues with visa issuance later.

How do I find a research supervisor for my PhD application? You must browse the websites of the 34 partner universities, identify faculty members whose research interests match yours, and contact them via email to request a recommendation letter.

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Fully Funded KNB Scholarship: Studying in Indonesia 2026

What is the KNB Scholarship?

KNB Scholarship Benefits and Coverage