Apply

If you meet the iSTEPup selection criteria written below, you can apply for a scholarship within the iSTEPup programme.

Collect the documents below in one PDF document and send it to info@i-step-up.com:

  • a handwritten, complete and signed application form [PDF download below]
  • a motivation letter
  • curriculum vitae
  • contact details of the spokesman of the preferred educational institution
  • financial details of the whole course including the tuition fee and, if applicable, additional fee’s (for example for resits) – in an official document of the preferred educational institution
  • if applicable: first tuition payment due date
  • contact details of the person who can act as a buddy/reference

If you have any questions, please read the box answering frequently asked questions (see below) or contact us by email.

Application deadlines for new students!

The iSTEPup Foundation works with two deadlines per year to apply yourself or a student for the iSTEPup programme:

  • Studies/Semesters starting in August-December: apply before April 30th
  • Studies/Semesters starting in January-July: apply before October 31st

Note: iSTEPup only considers complete applications. After your application, you will receive a confirmation message and/or additional questions by email (within 6 weeks). Complete applications will be discussed in the board meeting after the deadline and will be assessed for eligibility for the iSTEPup programme. The decision on your application will be shared before the end of June/November. If too many students apply for a scholarship the Foundation will strive for an equal representation of gender, country and study among the selected applications.

Please take into account that there is a waiting period before a final decision is taken and/ or a payment to the university can be done. It is not possible to receive a payment for a study / semester that has already been completed or started, or study debts in general.

Download the Student Scholarship Regulations (including ‘application form’) here: iSTEPup student scholarship regulations

Last updated: November 2024

Frequently asked questions

What does iSTEPup do?

iSTEPup – the international Sustainable Tertiary Education Programme – provides local scholarships for ambitious people living in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs as defined by the World Bank) to follow medical vocational education to become a healthcare professional. We aim to improve sustainability of global basic healthcare by creating educational chances for motivated but underprivileged people. (Read more)

Which studies does iSTEPup support with a scholarship?

iSTEPup offers scholarships to study nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, clinical medicine or medicine. We do not cover further specialization in the medical field. A preference will be given to those applicants who have not been enrolled in tertiary education before or who impend to drop out.

What costs does iSTEPup cover?

iSTEPup provides the tuition fee for the current study/training. Other costs (like insurances, housing, internet, fee for resits) will usually not be provided. The iSTEPup Foundation will pay the tuition fee directly to the university, school or training centre. The Foundation will not pay through the bank account of the students. The Foundation does not pay for a study year or semester that has already been completed or started, or study debts in general.

What is an iSTEPup buddy?

A buddy is a person who provides personal guidance during the study and acts as an intermediary for iSTEPup and the training centre. iSTEPup also asks the buddies to actively raise funds to cover part (approximately 30%) of the study costs, for example by recruiting new donors, by increasing our reach through actively engaging with our social media posts and organizing fundraising campaigns within their own network. A buddy is preferably an (international) healthcare worker in the student’s environment.