AfriPulse
The embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya has announced fully funded Master’s (MSc) scholarships in geo-information and earth observation, inviting interested Kenyans to apply.
The Resilient Approach in Natural Rangeland Ecosystems (RANGE) programme is accepting applications from specific counties, including Isiolo, Marsabit, and Samburu, for a five-year scholarship from 2024 to 2028.
The programme combines community engagement, landscape interventions, governance initiatives, and private sector partnerships, with a strong emphasis on research to support early warning systems, innovation, and adaptive solutions across ASAL regions.
Following successful intakes in 2024 and 2025, the scholarships cover a full-time MSc programme at the Faculty of ITC, University of Twente in the Netherlands, with a focus on young professionals who reflect the demographic diversity of Isiolo, Marsabit, and Samburu, ensuring that research and interventions are grounded in local knowledge and experience.
“By investing in local talent, RANGE aims to foster a generation of researchers who can use evidence-based approaches to drive sustainable development and resilience in their communities,” the programme statement reads.
President Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto, together with King Alexander and Queen Maxilla of the Netherlands, at a past event at Statehouse
PCS
William Samoei Ruto
RANGE aims to strengthen the resilience of communities in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) through sustainable rangeland management, inclusive livelihoods, and evidence-based decision-making.
According to the announcement, RANGE’s key pillar is capacity building, ensuring that sustainable practices and data collection continue beyond the project’s lifetime.
To achieve this, most research activities are conducted through Local Research Partners, including MSc and PhD students from the three counties or those with significant experience working in the region.
The initiative is implemented by Mercy Corps, FCDC, and the Faculty ITC of the University of Twente, together with multiple local partners responsible for research and project implementation.
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply via the official RANGE programme portal to learn more about the scholarships, eligibility criteria, and application process. The statement also noted that the 2026 September intake will be the final intake within the RANGE programme.
How To Apply
To be eligible for the programme, applicants must be Kenyan citizens from Isiolo, Marsabit, or Samburu counties and hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, preferably with a Second Class Upper or higher, awarded in 2018 or later.
Selection will consider factors such as the applicant’s personal or professional connection to pastoralism, employment history in RANGE-relevant domains and locations, and a clear motivation to pursue a master’s in geospatial sciences, particularly in the ITC specialisations of Resources Security and Urban and Land Futures.
Interested candidates should submit an application form available on the official embassy of the Netherlands’ pages by March 1, 2026, after reviewing the programme brochure. Pre-selected candidates will then follow the official ITC MSc application procedure.
University of Nairobi students at a graduation ceremony in December 2019.
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UoN
Source: Kenyans.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
