The Parties Involved
07 Aug 2009
Basically there are three parties involved: Netherlands embassies & consulates, Nuffic and Dutch institutions.
Dutch institutions
The Dutch institutions are higher education institutions or other organizations in the Netherlands specialized in transferring knowledge and skills at a post-secondary level. The master's degree programmes and short courses for which NFP fellowships can be used and the PhD study programmes are all offered by officially recognized Dutch institutions, that have been assessed for their capacity to receive and teach students or professionals from a variety of backgrounds. All the programmes and courses have been checked in terms of their usefulness for candidates from developing countries. Most programmes and courses are taught in English.
The Dutch institutions assess whether applicants are academically qualified to take part in the particular programme, course or training. With respect to master’s degree programmes and short courses, the Dutch institutions make the final selection of candidates for the fellowships they may award. They inform the candidates and the embassies of their decisions. Dutch institutions are always the contract partner for refresher courses. The Dutch institutions administer the NFP-fellowship for all four sub-programmes. They make logistical arrangements and provide guidance for fellowship holders. For all matters concerning the fellowship the fellowship holders must contact the Dutch institutions.
Netherlands embassies and consulates
The Netherlands embassies and consulates assess all applications for fellowships for master’s degree programmes, PhD studies and short courses. They use standard criteria but are also free to define additional criteria appropriate to the local situation. Embassies and consulates can reject applications or make specific recommendations regarding their further processing.
Nuffic
The NFP is managed and administered by Nuffic. Nuffic prepares the documentation for all the NFP sub-programmes and guides the selection of candidates for fellowships for master’s degree programmes, short courses and PhD programmes. Nuffic prepares the lists of programmes and courses for which NFP fellowships can be used.
On the basis of the number of qualified candidates who have registered for the various courses and programmes, Nuffic determines the number of fellowships available for each master’s degree programme or short course. Nuffic then selects candidates for PhD fellowships and proposals for refresher courses. However, by the end of 2008 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will select a new programme administrator. A smooth transfer of the NFP will be ensured.