Taiwan Scholarships and the Growing Indonesian Student Corridor
By Muntasir • Published May 10, 2026 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Scholarships & Funding, Study in Southeast Asia
Taiwan runs two main scholarship routes for Indonesian students through the Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO) in Jakarta, the Ministry of Education degree scholarship and the Huayu language scholarship, alongside a separate ICDF award for specific development-focused degree programs.
🎓 MOE scholarship pays NT$15,000 a month for undergraduates and NT$20,000 a month for postgraduates
Tuition and fee coverage runs up to NT$40,000 per semester, you cover any amount above that
📩 2026 MOE application window: February 1 to March 31, 2026, through TETO Jakarta
86 Indonesian students received Taiwan government scholarships for the 2026 intake, out of more than 1,200 applicants
ICDF covers 32 specified degree programs and places you directly, no separate university application
A growing corridor between Indonesia and Taiwan
Taiwan has become a steady destination for Indonesian students looking for English-taught degrees, low tuition and a shorter flight than Europe or North America. For the 2026 intake, 86 Indonesian students received Taiwan government scholarships out of more than 1,200 applicants , according to Focus Taiwan.
Two separate government bodies fund the main scholarship routes: Taiwan's Ministry of Education (MOE) through TETO Jakarta, and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), which runs its own degree program list for partner countries in the Asia Pacific region.
MOE Taiwan Scholarship
The MOE Taiwan Scholarship funds undergraduate, master's and doctoral study at Taiwanese universities. You apply through TETO's Education Division in Jakarta, not through the university directly, though you still need an admission offer from a Taiwanese university to finalize your award.
What it pays
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly stipend, undergraduate | NT$15,000 |
| Monthly stipend, postgraduate | NT$20,000 |
| Tuition and fee coverage | Up to NT$40,000 per semester |
If your university's tuition and fees exceed NT$40,000 in a semester, you pay the difference. The scholarship does not cover administration fees, thesis advising fees, insurance premiums, accommodation or internet costs, you budget for those separately.
For the 2026 cycle, TETO Jakarta opened applications on February 1, 2026, with a deadline of March 31, 2026. Check TETO's Education Division channels each year since the exact window can shift.
Huayu Enrichment Scholarship
If your goal is Mandarin fluency rather than a degree, the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship funds up to one year of language study at a Taiwanese university language center. You need to be at least 18 years old and have completed high school. It runs on the same TETO Jakarta application cycle as the MOE degree scholarship.
ICDF International Higher Education Scholarship
The Taiwan ICDF scholarship works differently. Instead of choosing any Taiwanese university, you pick from a fixed list of 32 specified degree programs tied to development priorities such as agriculture, public health, ICT and business. ICDF places you directly, so you do not apply to the university separately.
You cannot hold an ICDF award at the same time as an MOE or Huayu scholarship, so decide which route fits your goals before you apply. ICDF covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses and airfare. Required documents include your diplomas and transcripts from your most recent level of education plus two recommendation letters from academic or professional referees.
Choosing between the routes
Pick MOE if you already know which Taiwanese university and program you want to attend
Pick Huayu if you want a language foundation year before committing to a degree
Pick ICDF if your field matches one of its 32 listed programs and you prefer a single centralized placement process
Confirm with TETO Jakarta's Education Division which scholarships are open for your intended intake year, since quotas and program lists change annually
Why the corridor keeps growing
Taiwan's universities run active recruitment partnerships with Indonesian high schools and universities, and many technical and vocational programs teach fully in English. Compared to Australia, Canada or the UK, tuition and living costs sit lower, and Taiwan does not require the large proof of funds threshold that Western destinations ask for. That combination keeps application numbers climbing each cycle.
Applying through TETO Jakarta step by step
Research Taiwanese universities and programs in your field, since some fields concentrate at specific institutions such as engineering at National Taiwan University or hospitality at National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism
Secure an admission offer, or at minimum a letter of acceptance in progress, from your target university
Prepare your academic transcripts, diplomas, recommendation letters and a study plan aligned to the scholarship you are applying for
Submit your application to TETO's Education Division in Jakarta within the announced window
Wait for TETO's review and, for MOE awards, confirmation from your university
TETO Jakarta's Education Division reviews applications locally before results go through Taiwan's Ministry of Education for final confirmation, so keep your contact details updated with them throughout the process.
Life on scholarship in Taiwan
Most Taiwanese universities offer on-campus dormitories, which usually cost less than off-campus rentals in cities such as Taipei or Taichung. Health insurance under Taiwan's National Health Insurance system becomes mandatory after six months of residency, and your university helps you register once you arrive.
Part time work is possible on a student visa once you meet Taiwan's minimum enrollment period and obtain a work permit, though scholarship recipients should check whether their specific award places restrictions on outside employment during the funded period.