Description
The International Higher Education Scholarship Program, administered by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), is a highly distinguished initiative created to support the development of skilled professionals in partner developing countries. Through a strong collaborative framework with the Taiwan International Cooperation Alliance (TICA) - a consortium of Taiwan’s top universities - this program enables exceptional international students to access high-quality higher education opportunities in Taiwan across a wide range of academic disciplines. It not only strengthens global academic partnerships but also reinforces Taiwan’s commitment to international collaboration, capacity building, and long-term development cooperation. As a fully funded scholarship, the program is structured to eliminate financial barriers for eligible students, ensuring they can engage in their studies with complete focus and stability. All essential expenses - such as tuition fees, housing, living allowances, airfare, health insurance, and other academic costs - are fully covered. This comprehensive support allows scholars to immerse themselves in Taiwan’s academically rigorous environment, participate in research and innovation, and develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to drive socio-economic progress in their home countries. In addition, the program contributes to the internationalization of Taiwanese campuses, enriching the academic community with diverse perspectives and fostering a truly global learning environment.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the TaiwanICDF International Higher Education Scholarship Program for the 2026 cycle, applicants must meet all of the following expanded requirements:
Citizenship Requirement:
- Applicants must hold citizenship from one of the officially recognized eligible countries listed by the TaiwanICDF.
- Only nationals from these designated partner countries can apply; dual nationals holding ROC (Taiwan) citizenship are strictly prohibited.
Diplomatic Relations Requirement for Bachelor’s Programs:
- Eligibility for Bachelor’s degree programs is restricted to applicants from countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
- These countries are marked with an asterisk (*) in the eligible countries list.
- Applicants from non-diplomatic partner countries may still apply for Master's and PhD programs.
Nationality and Status Restrictions:
- Applicants must not be citizens of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
- Overseas compatriot students (i.e., individuals of Taiwanese descent holding foreign nationality) are also ineligible for this scholarship.
Academic Admission Requirements:
- Applicants must ensure they meet all academic and program prerequisites set by their chosen TICA partner university.
- Admission confirmation must align with the standards and timelines dictated by each institution.
Submission of Academic Credentials:
- The highest-level diploma earned by the applicant must be submitted on or before July 31, 2026.
- Failure to present the completed diploma by this deadline results in automatic disqualification.
Restrictions on Former Scholarship Holders:
- Individuals who have previously received scholarships from TaiwanICDF, MOFA, or MOE must have completed their earlier scholarship program before July 31, 2025.
- A mandatory gap year must exist between completing a previous ROC scholarship and applying again.
Prohibition on Dual Government Funding:
- Applicants cannot simultaneously hold another government-sponsored scholarship from the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the same academic year.
- This rule ensures fair distribution of financial support.
Eligible Regions and Countries: Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Eswatini*, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sénégal, South Africa, Somaliland, Tanzania, Uganda, Asia Pacific, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall Islands*, Myanmar, Palau*, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu*, Vietnam, Central/South America & Caribbean, Belize*, Guatemala*, Mexico, Haiti*, St. Kitts and Nevis*, St. Lucia*, St. Vincent and the Grenadines*, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay*, Peru, Uruguay, Europe / West Asia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, Jordan, Mongolia, Russia, Türkiye
Note: Countries marked with an asterisk (*) are eligible to apply for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs. All other listed countries may apply for Master’s and PhD programs only.
Scholarship Value and Benefits
The TaiwanICDF Scholarship delivers a fully funded support package designed to eliminate financial barriers throughout the duration of the recipient’s degree program. Benefits include:
Round-Trip Airfare:
- Provision of economy-class airline tickets between the recipient’s home country and Taiwan.
- Travel is arranged via the most direct and cost-efficient route.
- Covers both the inbound flight at the start of the program and the return flight upon completion.
Full Tuition and Credit Fee Coverage:
- 100% of tuition fees paid directly to the host university for every academic term.
- Includes all mandatory credit fees associated with the chosen degree program.
- Ensures students face no out-of-pocket tuition expenses.
Free On-Campus Accommodation:
- Guaranteed student dormitory housing within the university campus.
- Accommodation costs are fully covered by the scholarship.
- Helps maintain a safe, stable, and community-oriented living environment for scholars.
Monthly Living Allowance:
- A fixed stipend is provided monthly to support daily living and personal expenses.
- Undergraduate Students: NT$15,000 per month
- Master’s Students: NT$18,000 per month
- Ph.D. Students: NT$20,000 per month
- Designed to cover food, transportation, and basic personal costs while studying in Taiwan.
Insurance Coverage:
- Comprehensive accident and medical insurance throughout the scholarship period.
- Includes coverage for necessary medical treatment, emergency care, and other health-related services.
- Scholars are also enrolled in mandatory student safety insurance as required by Taiwanese institutions.
Textbook and Course Material Support:
- Funding is available to cover the cost of textbooks and essential course materials.
- Disbursement is subject to approval by the program director or designated academic authority.
- Ensures scholars can access required academic resources without financial burden.
Check also:
University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) 2025‑26 – Netherlands
Application Procedure
Applying for the TaiwanICDF International Higher Education Scholarship involves coordinated steps between the scholarship system, the chosen university, and Taiwan’s overseas representative offices:
Online Scholarship Application (Mandatory First Step):
- Applicants must complete the official online application through the TaiwanICDF Scholarship Online Application System.
- The online portal opens on December 1, 2025, and closes on March 15, 2026.
- All required fields, documents, and declarations must be submitted accurately to avoid disqualification.
- Applicants should download, save, or print the confirmation page for later submission to the embassy/representative office.
University Application (Separate and Essential Requirement):
- Applicants must apply independently to the academic program of their choice at a participating TICA partner university in Taiwan.
- Each university has its own admissions deadlines, required documents, and evaluation standards, which must be followed precisely.
- Required documents typically include academic transcripts, diplomas, recommendation letters, statements of purpose, and proof of English or Chinese proficiency.
- Admission to the academic program is a prerequisite for scholarship consideration.
Submission of Documents to the ROC Embassy/Representative Office:
- After completing the online scholarship application, applicants must submit printed forms and supporting documents to the nearest ROC (Taiwan) Embassy, Consulate, or Representative Office in their home country.
- This step allows Taiwan’s local mission to verify identity, eligibility, and documentation authenticity.
- Applicants must comply with any additional instructions provided by the embassy, such as interviews, notarization, or appointment scheduling.
Country-Specific Submission Notes:
- Senegalese applicants are required to submit their scholarship documents through the Bureau de Représentation de Taipei en Côte d'Ivoire, as Taiwan does not maintain a direct office in Senegal.
- Tanzanian applicants must submit their documents via the Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland, designated to handle applications from Tanzania.
Review and Evaluation Process:
- Submitted applications undergo a detailed review by both the TaiwanICDF and the selected university.
- Evaluation criteria include academic readiness, document completeness, eligibility compliance, and alignment with program objectives.
- Any missing, incorrect, or unverifiable information may result in rejection without notice.
- Applicants advancing to later stages may be asked for additional documentation or clarification depending on embassy or university requirements.
For more info and to apply, please visit here.
Website URL
https://www.icdf.org.tw/wSite/np?ctNode=31561&mp=2