Applications are now open for scholarships to participate in the Migration Management Diploma Programme (MMDP), a three-month capacity-building programme offered by UNU-MERIT and Maastricht University for government officials and policy practitioners working in migration and asylum.
The MMDP 2027 will take place from 5 April to 24 June 2027 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The programme is funded by the European Union through the Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).
About the programme
Since 2013, the MMDP has provided government officials and migration practitioners with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to strengthen migration management and develop evidence-based policy responses.
The programme combines lectures, interactive sessions, practical exercises and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) to strengthen participants’ theoretical knowledge of migration management and develop practical skills, including effective articulation and presentation. Through an interactive and practice-oriented learning approach, participants gain new insights and tools to apply the latest knowledge to migration management in their professional contexts. Key topics include migration data, international migration law, labour migration, diaspora engagement, policy coherence, global migration governance and migration scenario-building.
The programme is structured around three key courses:
- Introduction to Migration Studies
- Migration and Development
- Migration Policy
Participants will also benefit from educational and networking opportunities, including field visits to relevant institutions in The Hague, Brussels and Geneva.
The MMDP is a full-time programme that includes teaching, practical exercises, assignments, and individual preparation. Participants are expected to commit 40 hours per week, which includes both contact hours and self-preparation.
Scholarships and eligibility
A limited number of scholarships are available to government officials and civil servants working in migration management in eligible countries in the EU Southern Neighbourhood, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia and Silk Route regions.
The scholarship will cover all expenses for the duration of the training, including flights, accommodation, visa fees, meals, living costs, health insurance and field trips.
Key dates
Programme: 5 April–24 June 2027
Location: Maastricht, the Netherlands
Application deadline: 1 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST
Notification of selection: Mid-October 2026
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to review the detailed eligibility criteria and application requirements and submit their application through the online application platform.
Apply for the MMDP 2027 scholarship
Read the MMDP programme details and brochure.
For questions regarding the programme or application process, please contact mmdp@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Photo: UNU-MERIT