Darmasiswa is the Indonesian government's one-year (or six-month) non-degree scholarship for foreign nationals to study the Indonesian language, arts and culture at selected Indonesian universities. It pays a monthly living allowance of IDR 4.7 million plus book and settlement allowances, accommodation during orientation and local health insurance — but you must fund your own flights. It is designed for young people who want deep cultural immersion and to become ambassadors of Indonesian culture back home.
Why it is notable: one of the world's longest-running cultural scholarships (promoting Bahasa Indonesia since the 1970s); no degree required — completed secondary education is enough; but note the hard rule most applicants miss: you must apply through the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in your COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, and foreigners already studying or working in Indonesia are excluded.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Monthly living allowance of IDR 4,700,000.
One-off book allowance of IDR 2,000,000.
One-off settlement allowance of IDR 4,700,000.
Accommodation and local transportation during the Orientation Programme (if arrival aligns with the schedule).
Local health insurance.
Legal stay permit from the Government of Indonesia.
Assistance from host universities in finding housing (rent included in the allowance).
(International airfare to/from Indonesia is NOT provided — official Guidelines section VI; awardees are advised to bring extra money, preferably USD, for personal expenses.)
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Secondary school completionfor Darmasiswa (non-degree)
This scholarship is offered for non-degree study of Indonesian language, arts and culture (Regular 1-year and Short Course 6-month programmes).
Who can apply
foreign nationals from ALL countries which have diplomatic relations with Indonesia (official Guidelines, section V).
Experience
No experience required (basic knowledge of and strong interest in the applied field required).
Language Certificate
ability to communicate in English proven by an English Language Proficiency Certificate (TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS or other certificate, if applicable).
Other Certificates
latest academic transcript and certificates (in English); passport valid at least 18 months at the time of application; medical certificate (in English); recommendation letter from an education/professional institution (official letterhead, signed, in English); passport-size colour photo; certificates related to the applied field (if applicable).
Age Limit
at least 18 years old, maximum 32 years old (official Guidelines, section V — "this year" wording in the 2026/2027 document).
Tools that may help
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes which scholarships we list or how we describe them.
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
Eligible = citizens of any country with diplomatic relations with Indonesia. Excluded = Indonesian citizens (implicit); applicants residing outside their…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
foreign national; completed secondary education or equivalent; age 18–32; good health (medical certificate).
02
Language
English communication ability (TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS or other certificate, if applicable).
500-word purpose-of-study essay (English or Bahasa Indonesia) + 2-minute video pitch on motivation and cultural-ambassador plans — both scored.
05
References
one recommendation letter from an education/professional institution (official letterhead, signed, English).
06
Fee
none — no application fee.
Document checklist
011. CV/resume (Darmasiswa template)
022. Medical certificate (English)
033. Passport (valid ≥18 months)
044. Recommendation letter (official letterhead, signed, English)
055. Latest academic transcript and certificates (English)
066. English proficiency certificate (if applicable)
077. Certificates related to the applied field (if applicable)
088. Colour passport photo
099. Essay on purpose of study, max 500 words (English or Bahasa Indonesia)
1010. Full-body video ≤2 minutes on motivation and cultural-ambassador contribution (English or Bahasa Indonesia).
Application fee
No fee — completely free (no fee stated in the official Guidelines).
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Indonesian Student Visa (index/type C316) — stated in the official Guidelines.
Application Procedure
6 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Choose your programme (Regular 1-year or Short
Course 6-month) and 1–2 preferred host universities from the official list.
→
02
Register on the official portal apply.darmasiswa.kemendikdasmen.go.id
choosing the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate General in your country of origin.
→
03
Prepare and upload
CV (Darmasiswa template), medical certificate (English), passport (≥18 months validity), recommendation letter (official letterhead, English), latest transcript + certificates (English), English proficiency certificate,
↓
06
Visa arrangement (Student Visa index/type C316)
flight itinerary confirmation, online basic Indonesian course, pre-departure briefing at the Embassy, orientation in Jakarta, lectures start (early September).
←
05
Selection by the host university → announcement
on the portal → attendance confirmation → final announcement.
←
04
Interview and administration at the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate
in your country.
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official ~32 selected host universities across… platform.
Is Darmasiswa a degree programme? A: No — it is a one-year (Regular) or six-month (Short Course) non-degree programme in Indonesian language, arts and culture.Does it cover flights? A: No — the Ministry explicitly does not provide international airfare to/from Indonesia (official Guidelines section VI).Can I apply if I'm already in Indonesia? A: No — applicants currently studying or working in Indonesia are not eligible, and you must apply through the Embassy/Consulate in your country of origin.I'm a KNB alumnus — can I apply? A: No — KNB Scholarship alumni and Darmasiswa alumni are both excluded.What visa do awardees use? A: Student Visa (index/type C316), arranged after the final announcement.Can I change my field or university after selection? A: No — awardees may not alter their selected field of study or host university.Can I travel outside Indonesia during the programme? A: Not during the academic period except for emergencies (max 2 weeks); one trip permitted during academic/religious holidays.What certificate do I get? A: A certificate of study completion is awarded only to awardees who meet the academic requirements and sit the final test.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Indonesia · ~32 selected host universities across…
