The Netherlands fellowship programmeQuesions and answers [Archives:2004/797/Community]
Q: How many fellowships have been allocated to Yemen?
NFP does not allocate a specific number of fellowships to each of the countries eligible to apply. Instead, countries and individuals essentially compete for funding under the programme. Once applications for the programmes are received, NUFFIC decides how many fellowships will be granted for each of the various programmes.
Q: How many fellowships are available for all countries?
Last year, nearly 1000 participants received funding under NFP.
Q: What majors or area of specialisation are the programmes and courses?
The NFP catalogue of programmes for 2005 listed nearly 300 programmes, divided under 13 categories or sectors such as Agriculture, Business and Economics, the Sciences, and various other categories.
Q: How do I apply for a NFP fellowship?
First, you must review the catalogue of programmes and apply directly to the Dutch organisation offering the listed programme you are interested in. Once an admission to the programme is received, you can then apply for funding through NFP. You can download the application form from www.nuffic.nl/nfp or you can get it from the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Sana'a. All applications, except those for refresher courses, have to be submitted via the RNE. An interview is usually part of the application procedure.
Q: When is the deadline to apply for an NFP Fellowship ?
There is not one single deadline for applications. Different programmes have different deadlines. Normally, however, programme admission for Master's degree study and many of the short-courses is offered twice per year. The deadlines are listed in the NFP catalogue. For Masters' programmes starting in the autumn of 2005, the deadline for the application is 15 March 2005. For PhD study, the deadlines vary since a research proposal will have to be agreed to with the host institution.
Q: What is my employer's role in the application process?
Since this is a capacity-building programme, it is important that your employer confirms the development need which you seek to address. Therefore, NFP requires employers to submit a statement to this effect and to agree to continue to support an employee until the employee returns to work.
Q: What are the main requirements of the NFP?
There are a number of requirements for the fellowship, but the most important ones include the qualifications of the applicant, English-language proficiency and a demonstrated employer-related development need.
Q: What is the duration of the various programmes funded by NFP?
Programme duration varies from short three-week courses to four-years of funding for a PhD.
Q: Does the fellowship include funding for travel costs, living expenses and other such direct costs?
Yes.
Q: As an organisation, I have many employees who need training under such a programme. Should we apply for each employee individually?
No. In this case, there is another modality offered by NFP that can be applied for. That is a multi-year agreement to meet the needs of an organisation. Under such an agreement a number of employees from the same organisation can be trained over a period of years. Such an agreement can be discussed with the Royal Netherlands Embassy as a first step.
Q: Where can I get an application and more information on the NFP procedures and programmes?
All information, including application forms, is available at the Nuffic website: www.nuffic.nl/nfp You can also contact the fellowship officer of the Royal Netherlands Embassy (tel 01-421800) or the NPT co-ordination unit (01-468467)
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