Taiwan scholarships for international students come from three main sources: the government’s Taiwan Scholarship (run by the Ministry of Education and, for diplomatic allies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the TaiwanICDF scholarship for students from partner countries, and the universities themselves. Your nationality decides which ones you can apply for. Most countries can apply for the MOE Taiwan Scholarship through their local Taiwan office. The MOFA scholarship and TaiwanICDF bachelor’s places are mainly for Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies.
Only some of these are fully funded. TaiwanICDF pays tuition, flights, dormitory, insurance and a monthly allowance. The MOE scholarship pays a stipend but caps tuition at NT$40,000 a semester and does not pay flights. Below I have set out what each one pays, who is eligible by country, the 2027 dates I could confirm, and how the application works.
Which Taiwan scholarship can you apply for?
| Your country | Scholarships open to you |
|---|---|
| One of Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies | MOFA Taiwan Scholarship, TaiwanICDF (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD), MOE where offered, university awards |
| A TaiwanICDF partner country (not an ally) | TaiwanICDF (master’s and PhD only), MOE Taiwan Scholarship, university awards |
| Any other country with a Taiwan office | MOE Taiwan Scholarship (if your office runs a call), university awards, TIGP |
| Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau | Excluded from MOE and MOFA Taiwan Scholarships |
Taiwan scholarships for international students compared
| Scholarship | Tuition | Monthly allowance | Flights | Who applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOE Taiwan Scholarship | Up to NT$40,000 per semester | NT$15,000 (bachelor’s); NT$20,000 (master’s, PhD) | No | Most nationalities, through the local Taiwan office |
| MOFA Taiwan Scholarship | Not paid by MOFA; universities may reduce fees | NT$33,000 (degree); NT$28,000 (Mandarin year) | Yes, economy | Mainly diplomatic allies |
| TaiwanICDF scholarship | Full tuition and credit fees | NT$15,000 (bachelor’s); NT$18,000 (master’s); NT$20,000 (PhD) | Yes, round trip | Partner countries only |
| NTU scholarship upon admission | Waiver up to NT$65,000 | NT$8,000 | No | NTU international degree applicants |
| TIGP fellowship (Academia Sinica) | Paid by student, varies by partner university | NT$40,000 in year one | No | PhD applicants, any nationality |
NT$40,000 is roughly US$1,250, using the conversions Taiwan’s own offices published for the 2025 call. Check a current rate before you budget.
MOE Taiwan Scholarship
This is the scholarship most people mean when they say “Taiwan Scholarship”. It is funded by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and run through Taiwan’s embassies and representative offices abroad. Each office decides how many awards it gives, its own deadline and its own selection rules, which is why you will see different dates online.
What it pays
- Tuition and miscellaneous fees up to NT$40,000 per semester. You pay anything above that.
- A monthly allowance of NT$15,000 for bachelor’s students and NT$20,000 for master’s and PhD students.
- Up to 4 years for a bachelor’s, 2 years for a master’s and 4 years for a PhD, with a lifetime cap of 5 years.
- Not covered: administration fees, thesis supervision fees, insurance, accommodation, internet and flights.
Some universities add their own discount to cover the gap above NT$40,000. Apart from that, you cannot hold another Taiwan government or university scholarship at the same time, and NTU, for example, bars Taiwan Scholarship holders from its own awards.
Who can apply
- A citizen of the country your Taiwan office covers, with at least a secondary school certificate and a strong academic record.
- Not a Taiwan national, an overseas Chinese student, or a student from mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau.
- Not previously enrolled in Taiwan at the same degree level, and not in Taiwan as an exchange student at the time of the award.
- Never had a Taiwan Scholarship revoked.
Offices add their own conditions. The 2026 call in New York, for example, required a GPA of at least 3.0 for bachelor’s applicants and 3.5 for master’s applicants, while the India office asked for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 60 for English-taught programmes.
MOE deadlines vary by office
The Ministry’s own page gives 1 February to 30 April each year as the application period. Offices then set their own closing dates inside or around that window. These are the 2026 dates I could confirm:
| Office | 2026 deadline | Results | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taipei Economic and Cultural Center, India | 31 March 2026 | 15 May 2026 | 31 March 2027 |
| Taipei Representative Office, UK | End of March 2026 | Not stated | 31 March 2027 |
| Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, New York | 24 April 2026 (postmark) | End of May 2026 | 24 April 2027 (postmark) |
| Taipei Trade Office, Nigeria (2025 call) | 15 May 2025 | Not stated | 15 May 2027 |
For 2027, calls open from 1 February 2027, and the deadlines in the table are the 2026 dates one year later (based on this year’s date; confirm on the official page when the call opens). Check your own office’s website from January. The Taiwan Scholarship portal (taiwanscholarship.moe.gov.tw) has an availability page listing every office and whether its call is open.
Applying from a country with no Taiwan embassy
Most countries have a Taiwan representative office rather than an embassy, and the MOE scholarship runs through these offices too. Nigeria is a good example: it has no diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but Nigerians apply through the Taipei Trade Office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Many sites say that office is in Abuja. It moved back to Lagos in January 2018, and its 2024 scholarship notice gives the address as 23A Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos. The 2024 call offered only three awards. I could not find the office’s 2026 notice, so check its page on roc-taiwan.org before you prepare a file.
MOFA Taiwan Scholarship for diplomatic allies
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs runs a separate Taiwan Scholarship that is, in its own words, granted in principle to students from countries with diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Other countries can receive special consideration, but in practice this is the allies’ scholarship. As of May 2026 Taiwan had 12 allies:
| Region | Diplomatic allies |
|---|---|
| Latin America and the Caribbean | Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Pacific | Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu |
| Africa | Eswatini |
| Europe | Vatican City |
MOFA pays a monthly stipend of NT$33,000 during a degree, or NT$28,000 during a Mandarin language year before the degree. It also provides economy tickets to Taiwan and home. MOFA itself does not pay tuition; universities may reduce the fees for its scholars. The application period is 1 February to 31 March, through your country’s Taiwan embassy.
TaiwanICDF scholarship (fully funded)
The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) runs the only fully funded government scheme in this list. Its programmes are taught in English at partner universities, and the 2026 round offered 32 programmes: 4 bachelor’s, 25 master’s and 3 PhD.
What TaiwanICDF pays
- Round-trip economy flights on the most direct route.
- Full tuition and credit fees.
- Student dormitory housing (living in the dorm is a condition).
- Student safety, accident and medical insurance for the whole programme.
- Required textbooks, with approval.
- A monthly allowance of NT$15,000 (bachelor’s), NT$18,000 (master’s) or NT$20,000 (PhD).
TaiwanICDF eligible countries
Only citizens of listed partner countries can apply. Bachelor’s places are limited to diplomatic allies. This is the 2026 guidebook list; the 2027 list had not been published when I checked.
| Region | Eligible countries (allies marked *) |
|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | Fiji, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall Islands*, Myanmar, Palau*, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu*, Vietnam |
| West Asia | Jordan, Mongolia, Russia, Türkiye |
| Africa | Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Eswatini*, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Somaliland, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda |
| Europe | Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia |
| Central America | Belize*, Guatemala*, Mexico |
| Caribbean | Haiti*, Saint Kitts and Nevis*, Saint Lucia*, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines* |
| South America | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay*, Peru, Uruguay |
Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt and Cameroon are among the countries not on the list. TaiwanICDF’s website names Nigeria under the places where it works, which has misled some readers. That menu covers its projects, not scholarship eligibility.
TaiwanICDF 2027 timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application opens | 1 December 2026 |
| Application closes | 15 March 2027 |
| Embassies send shortlists to TaiwanICDF | By 31 March (based on the 2026 timeline) |
| Recipients announced | By 10 June, in principle (based on the 2026 timeline) |
| Highest diploma must be in hand | 31 July (based on the 2026 timeline) |
You apply on the TaiwanICDF system and also apply separately to the partner university’s programme before its own deadline. You may choose only one programme a year. TaiwanICDF sets no English test of its own, but most universities do. Your passport must be valid for at least 24 months.
University scholarships in Taiwan
If your country is outside the ICDF list and your office gives few MOE awards, university scholarships are the realistic route. They rarely cover everything, but you apply for them with your admission.
National Taiwan University (NTU)
NTU asks in the online admission form whether you want to be considered for its scholarships, and announces scholarship results with admission results. Its scholarship for new international degree students waives tuition up to NT$65,000 and pays NT$8,000 a month. Applications for September 2027 entry run in two rounds (Taiwan time, GMT+8):
| NTU September 2027 entry | First round | Second round |
|---|---|---|
| Opens | 29 September 2026, 11:00 | 1 December 2026, 11:00 |
| Closes | 5 November 2026, 16:00 | 19 January 2027, 16:00 |
| Results | 14 January 2027 | 8 April 2027 |
| Confirm acceptance | 21 January 2027 | 15 April 2027 |
The application fee is NT$2,000 or US$80 per department. English-taught programmes want proof at CEFR B2 level, with exemptions for applicants from English-speaking countries or English-taught degrees. Self-funded applicants must show a bank statement of at least NT$200,000.
Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP)
TIGP is a set of 14 English-taught PhD programmes run by Academia Sinica with partner universities. Its December 2025 announcement put the first-year fellowship at NT$40,000 a month, renewable for students who perform well, with an extra NT$6,000 a month for top performers. (An older TIGP FAQ page still says NT$34,000.) Applications run from November to February, and there is no application fee. The 2026 intake closed on 1 February 2026, so the deadline is 1 February 2027.
Other universities
National Tsing Hua University, NYCU, NTUST and National Cheng Kung University all run scholarships for international degree students, usually a tuition waiver with or without a stipend. Their spring 2027 rounds have already closed (NTHU’s on 30 September 2026). Fall 2027 rounds normally open between December and March. Read each university’s own scholarship regulations, since amounts differ by level and department.
How to apply for the MOE Taiwan Scholarship, step by step
- Find the Taiwan embassy or office that covers your country on roc-taiwan.org and read its current notice.
- Apply for admission to a Taiwanese university before its own deadline, and keep the receipt or acknowledgement email. The scholarship office needs proof that you have applied.
- Get your language proof: TOCFL Level 3 or above for Chinese-taught programmes, or an English test (TOEFL, IELTS) for English-taught ones if English is not your first language.
- Ask two referees (a principal, lecturer or employer) for signed, sealed recommendation letters. Some offices want them dated within three months.
- Complete the online form on taiwanscholarship.moe.gov.tw.
- Submit the full file to your office by its deadline, with the signed Terms of Agreement.
- If selected, send your university admission letter to the office by the date it gives (30 June 2026 for India, 12 June 2026 for New York). Without an admission, the award lapses.
Our recommendation letter samples can help your referees write letters that fit a scholarship file.
Documents checklist
| Document | MOE Taiwan Scholarship | TaiwanICDF |
|---|---|---|
| Online application form | Yes | Yes |
| Passport copy | Yes | Yes (valid at least 24 months) |
| Highest diploma and transcript | Yes, translated and authenticated if not in English or Chinese | Yes |
| Proof of university application | Yes | Apply to the programme separately |
| Language certificate | Yes (TOCFL or English test) | English proof or English-taught degree |
| Two recommendation letters | Yes, signed and sealed | Referee details |
| Signed terms of agreement | Yes | Consent form after award |
| Hard copies | Depends on office | If your embassy asks |
Student visa and proof of funds
Once admitted, you apply for a resident visa at your Taiwan office. University admission guidance sets the bar at roughly NT$200,000 in a bank statement for self-funded students; a scholarship award letter can replace it. You will also need a health certificate (recent, with measles and rubella immunity proof) and authenticated diploma and transcripts.
Students from Taiwan’s “designated countries” need extra documents and must apply through specific offices. Chang Gung University’s visa guidance lists Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, India (Identity Certificate holders), Iraq, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Syria. Ghanaian and Nigerian applicants, for example, can only apply at the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria. Start the visa as soon as your admission letter arrives.
Comparing Asian options? Our Monash University Malaysia scholarships guide covers research awards that also pay a stipend.
FAQ on Taiwan scholarships for international students
Is the Taiwan Scholarship fully funded?
The MOE Taiwan Scholarship is partly funded: it pays a stipend and up to NT$40,000 tuition per semester but no flights, housing or insurance. TaiwanICDF is the fully funded option, covering tuition, flights, dormitory, insurance and an allowance.
Can students from countries without diplomatic ties apply for Taiwan scholarships?
Yes. The MOE scholarship is run by Taiwan’s representative offices in many countries without diplomatic ties, and university scholarships and TIGP are open to all nationalities. The MOFA scholarship and ICDF bachelor’s places are where ally status matters.
Do I need IELTS for a Taiwan scholarship?
For English-taught programmes, usually yes unless English is your first language or your degree was taught in English. Requirements differ by office and university; the India office asked for IELTS 6.0 and NTU asks for CEFR B2.
When does the Taiwan Scholarship 2027 open?
MOE calls run between 1 February and 30 April, with each office setting its own deadline; in India, for example, the deadline is 31 March 2027. The TaiwanICDF 2027 application runs from 1 December 2026 to 15 March 2027.
Sources and updates
MOE benefits and the annual application window come from the Ministry of Education’s Taiwan Scholarship page, and the restrictions, office deadlines and language rules come from the 2026 guidelines published by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India, the Taipei Representative Office in the UK’s 2026 notice, and the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria’s 2024 notice on roc-taiwan.org. MOFA terms come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ MOFA Taiwan Scholarship page, and the list of allies from Reuters (May 2026). TaiwanICDF benefits, eligible countries and dates come from the TaiwanICDF scholarship page and its 2025 and 2026 application guidebooks. NTU dates, fees and financial rules come from NTU’s 2027 September entry admission guidelines, and its scholarship amounts from NTU’s international student services page. TIGP figures come from Academia Sinica’s December 2025 announcement and the TIGP FAQ. The designated countries list comes from Chang Gung University’s visa page. Information checked on 24 October 2026. I will update this post when MOE offices publish their 2027 calls and TaiwanICDF releases its 2027 country list.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
