Kemitraan Negara Berkembang Scholarship, popularly known as KNB Scholarship, is a financial assistance offered by the Indonesian Government to prospective international students coming from developing countries to pursue their degree (Bachelor, Master or Doctorate Degree) at one of the universities in Indonesia. The scholarship was conceived in the 10th Conference of Heads of States of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries, 1st–6th September 1992. The Government of Republic of Indonesia began to offer the scholarship to potential students from NAM member countries in the following year.

The regional exclusiveness of the scholarship was revoked in 2002 since it had developed global interest. It was then the scholarship was officially renamed as Kemitraan Negara Berkembang Scholarship (KNB) and the recipients were no longer limited to NAM member countries. To date, the scholarship has also been offered to other developing countries in Asia, Pacific, South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Eventually, the scholarship is expected to build the people-to-people relations between Indonesia and the recipient countries. It aims at nurturing their future leaders.

KNB offers an experience of studying in top universities in Indonesia and at the same living in one of the world’s most diverse and vibrant society. By getting the scholarship, students will experience quality degree programs managed by the 31 (thirty-one) university partners.

Their degrees will enhance their intellectual standing, develop their competencies, and open wider professional opportunities, a foundation for post-college success. Certainly, they will also be able to
enjoy first-hand experience of living in a multicultural and multilingual society.

In 2024, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia with 31 (thirty-one) KNB Scholarship host universities in Indonesia will accept 222 (two hundred twenty-two) KNB Scholarship applicants, consist of;

Program Number of KNB Scholarship Recipients
Bachelor 30
Master 162
Doctoral 30

Program Objectives

  1. To contribute in the human resource development in the developing countries;
  2. To promote deeper cultural understanding between developing countries;
  3. To strengthen the relationship and cooperation between developing countries.

Program Structure

  1. Indonesian Language Training Program (BIPA Program) Maximum 1 (one) academic year Indonesian Language (Bahasa) course is compulsory for all KNB students as all courses required to complete the academic program (lecture, thesis, or disertation) will be conductued in Bahasa. BIPA programram will be provided by each university.
  2. Preparatory Program
    Preparatory program prior to the academic program will be arranged in accordance with the university’s policy and program planning.
  3. Academic program
    The maximum length of scholarship disbursement:
    a. 8 (eight) semesters for Doctorate Degree Program.
    b. 4 (four) semesters for Master Degree Program;
    c. 8 (eight) semesters for Bachelor Degree Program.

Scholarship Coverage and Duration

  1. A Settlement Allowance will be given to new students upon their arrival in Indonesia;
  2. Tuition Fee in BIPA Program and Academic Program as long as duration of scholarship;
  3. During BIPA and Açademic Prorgam, the KNB students will receive living allowance monthly upon their arrival in Indonesia as long as KNB students living in Indonesia during their duration scholarship;
  4. During BIPA and Academic Prorgam, the KNB students will receive research and book allowance monthly upon their arrival in Indonesia during their duration scholarship;
  5. A health insurance;
  6. Funding for Publishing Scientific Article;
  7. Provide economy class airline ticket for arrival from the international airport of the student’s home countries to Indonesia, including local transport to the host university.
    And provide economy, class airline ticket for returning to student’s home countries inlucidng local transport from host university to international airport Indonesia after the students is declared to have graduated.
    a. Please be advised that KNB students must return to home countries no later than 60 days after the program ends or after the students is declared to have graduated, as long as their residence permit has not expired;
    b. Please be advised that a program completion is not necessarily graduation or a commencement ceremony. Return Ticket will be booked by host university, the student must apply for Exit Permit Only (EPO), as well as book the ticket.
  8. The duration of scholarship is exclusively and corelated to the duration of the academic program as indicated below:
  9. Please be advised that the KNB Scholarship is calculated to support the KNB Student costs only.
    There is no provision for lependents or family. KNB Students are advised not to bring dependents or family to Indonesia. The KB Scholarship provides no financial or pastoral support for dependants or family and will not endorse the visa application of, nor provide travel for dependants.*Note: Other expenses beside mention above items will be considered as personal expenses and will be borne by the students.

REQUIREMENT FOR BACHELOR DEGREE SCHOLARSHIP

  1. The maximum age to apply for the scholarship is 21 years old.
  2. Hold a High School degree (please provide the scanned degree certificate and academic transcripts in English or Bahasa). Please be advised that bachelor degree holder is not eligible to apply for the bachelor degree scholarship.
  3. 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.
  4. Provide the recommendation letter’ to apply for the KNB scholarship from the Indonesian Embassy or the Indonesian Consulate General.
  5. Provide recommendation letter to apply for the KNB scholarship from the employer/immediate supervisor in English or Bahasa (if working).
  6. Provide Academic Recommendation Letter from previous schools in English or Bahasa:
  7. Provide Academic Certificate and Academic Transcript of High School Degree in English or Bahasa.
  8. Prove of citizenship by submit Official Passport, which is still valid for at least 2 years again.
  9. Complete the online application form http://knb.kemdikbud.go.id.Note: Please be advised that document (b), (e), (f) and (g) must be in English or Bahasa.

How to Apply

All application process is conducted online through the KNB Scholarship website https//knb.kemdikbud.go.id. Please be advised that soliciting is prohibited.

Application Procedures

  1. Download the KNB Scholarship Offering Letter from KNB Scholarship website: https://knb.kemdikbud.go.id/
  2. Submit the Offering Letter, Official Passport, English Proficiency Test (Applicant from non-English-Speaking Countries), Recommendation Letter from Indonesian Embassy, Recommendation Letter from
    The Employer/Immediate Supervisor,
    Academic Recommendation Letter from Previous Schools, Academic Certificate and Academic Transcript from previous degree, recommendation letter from the potential research supervisor in one of the universities providing partner of the KNB Scholarship (for doctoral applicant only). statement of purpose of their studies in Indonesia (for doctoral applicant only) in website KNB Scholarship;
  3. Complete the online application process;
  4. Selection Process;
  5. The Selection Results will be broadcasted online through the KNB Scholarship website and officially announced through the Indonesian Publication Network.During the application process, please pay close attention to some important information below:
    1. We strongly suggest you to collect as many information as possible on the universities and your desired study program. Please be advised that once you are admitted, changing either the universities or your study program is strictly prohibited;
    2. The recommendation letter from Indonesian Embassy is mandatory. The recommendation letter’s year must be the same as the selection year. The recommendation letter will be issued based on verification and necessary background and/or security checks conducted by the Indonesian Embassy. In case of no Indonesian official representative in your country, you need to obtain the letter from any Indonesian Embassy accredited to your country. For further information about Indonesian Embassy, you can check this in our Ministry of Foreign Affairs website:
    https://www.kemlu.go.id/portal/en/page/29/kedutaan_konsulat
    3. All the required documents have to be written or officially translated in English or Bahasa
    4. The universities will be conducting the selection process that should include online interview and psychological test (if necessary) with the potential candidates.

    Schedule
    All application process is conducted online through the KNB Scholarship website https://knb.kemdikbud.go.id. Please be advised that soliciting is prohibited.