Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs pays a monthly stipend of NT$33,000 — higher than the MOE scholarship's NT$20,000 — plus your flights to and from Taiwan, for a full bachelor's, master's or PhD at any accredited Taiwanese university. It is aimed at citizens of countries with diplomatic or friendly relations with Taiwan, and an optional first year of Mandarin study is included.
Why it is notable: the stipend is the largest of Taiwan's three state scholarships and covers flights both ways, but tuition is not separately paid — applicants must understand the stipend has to stretch to tuition; each TECO office runs its own quota and its own deadline.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Monthly stipend: NT$33,000/month for degree programs; NT$28,000/month during the optional LEP year
One-way economy-class plane tickets for direct flights TO and FROM Taiwan
Universities/colleges MAY offer recipients reduced tuition and miscellaneous fees (not guaranteed — confirm with your university)
(Recipients are responsible for all other expenses during their stay; MOFA states it will in principle provide no other subsidies.)
Work permission: recipients may apply for a work permit (max 20 hrs/week during semesters, full-time in vacations) under Taiwan's foreign-worker employment regulations
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Secondary school certificatefor Bachelor'sBachelor's degreefor Master'sMaster's degreefor PhD
This scholarship is offered for Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programs (excluding in-service programs), with an optional pre-degree Mandarin Language Enrichment Program (LEP) of up to one year.
Who can apply
foreign nationals from countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, or countries recognized by MOFA as having friendly relations with Taiwan. NOT eligible: ROC (Taiwan) nationals; overseas compatriot students; Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao students.
Experience
No experience required.
Language Certificate
for degree programs taught in Chinese, a TOCFL Level 2+ transcript/certificate is required; LEP recipients must submit TOCFL Level 2 listening/reading certificates by June of the year after arrival or lose the degree scholarship. English-taught programs follow the university's own requirements.
Other Certificates
highest diploma + transcripts; proof of university/LEP admission application.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
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Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Nationality
citizen of a diplomatic-ally or MOFA-recognized friendly country; not an ROC national or overseas compatriot student.
02
Qualification
high school graduate or above with an excellent academic record, good moral character, no criminal record.
03
Language
TOCFL Level 2+ for Chinese-taught degree programs; LEP recipients must pass TOCFL Level 2 (listening/reading) by June of the year after arrival.
04
No repeat level
never attended a Taiwan institution at the same degree/LEP level; not a current exchange student under a cooperation agreement.
05
Documents
printed online form + diploma + transcripts + admission proofs, submitted to the local office before its deadline.
06
Academic standing
recipients must meet the semester grade standard or lose the scholarship (two consecutive failures = revocation).
Document checklist
01(1) printed + signed online application form
02(2) passport copy
03(3) highest diploma
04(4) transcripts
05(5) proof of university admission application (and Mandarin center application for LEP)
06(6) TOCFL certificate (Chinese-taught programs)
07(7) other documents per the local office.
Application fee
No fee — completely free.
Visa, kept concise: Visa type: Resident Visa for degree study, applied at your TECO/embassy with the admission letter + MOFA award documents; ARC application at the National Immigration Agency within 15 days of arrival.
Application Procedure
6 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Confirm your country has a MOFA Taiwan
Scholarship quota at your local Taiwan Representative Office / TECO / ROC embassy (quotas and local deadlines differ by office).
→
02
Apply for admission to your chosen Taiwan university/college (and
if taking the LEP, to an accredited Mandarin Training Center) — admission proof is required; scholarship and admission are separate applications.
→
03
Complete the online MOFA Scholarship application at https://taiwanscholarship.moe.gov.tw/Apply —
fill in all pages, print, and sign where required.
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06
If taking the LEP
arrive for the August start; degree study begins the following September (LEP must be the first year, consecutive).
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05
Office review + interview (Feb–Apr pattern)
results ~May (2026 pattern).
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04
Submit the printed form + all documents
to your local Taiwan Representative Office before ITS deadline (2026 pattern: 1 Feb – 31 Mar; individual offices may close earlier).
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official any accredited university or college in Taiwan platform.
What is the difference between the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship and the MOFA Taiwan Fellowship? A: The Scholarship funds full DEGREE study (bachelor's/master's/PhD) with a monthly stipend; the Fellowship fDoes the NT$33,000/month cover tuition? A: MOFA does not pay tuition separately — the stipend is meant to cover housing, tuition, insurance, textbooks and living costs. Universities may offer reduced Can I take the Mandarin year (LEP) first? A: Yes — the optional LEP (max 1 year) must be taken in the FIRST year, consecutive with your degree program, at an MOE-accredited Mandarin center.Is there an age limit? A: No age limit is stated in the MOFA directions.Can I work while studying? A: Yes — with a work permit, up to 20 hours/week during semesters (full-time in vacations).What happens if my grades drop? A: Fail the grade standard in one semester and the scholarship is cancelled the next semester; fail two consecutive semesters and it is revoked.When do applications open for 2027? A: Not announced yet. The 2026 cycle ran 1 February – 31 March 2026; expect a similar window — confirm with your local office, which publishes its guidelines by ~31Can I apply if I already studied in Taiwan? A: Only if it was at a DIFFERENT level than the one you are applying for — same-level prior study in Taiwan disqualifies you.
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Taiwan · any accredited university or college in Taiwan