(The only guide that shows you exactly what 2025 winners submitted and got accepted)
Every Master’s and PhD applicant must upload a research proposal (800–1,500 words). In 2025, more than 60 % of rejections at the document-check stage were because of weak, copied, or off-topic proposals. Below is the exact structure + 3 real winning examples (names and tiny details changed) that got unconditional LoA + KNB award.
Official KNB Requirements (2026 cycle)
- 800–1,500 words
- Written in English
- Clear title
- Background → Gap → Objectives → Methodology → Expected outcome → Timeline → References
- Must match a real problem in your home country
- Must show how Indonesia helps solve it
Research Proposal Winning Structure (Copy This Exact Order)
- Title (max 20 words)
- Background of the Study (250–350 words)
- Research Gap / Problem Statement (150–200 words)
- Research Objectives (3–5 bullet points)
- Literature Review – short (150–250 words)
- Methodology (300–400 words) – most important part
- Expected Results & Contribution to Your Country (150–250 words)
- Timeline (table – 24 or 36 months)
- References (10–20 sources, APA or similar)
You can also see the KNB Scholarship Eligibility Guide here.
3 Real Winning Proposals from 2025
Example 1 – Master’s (accepted at IPB University – Agriculture)
Title: Developing Drought-Resistant Rice Varieties for Coastal Bangladesh Using Indonesian Inpari Lines
Background Bangladesh loses 1.2 million tons of rice every year because of salinity and drought in the coastal belt. My family farm in Khulna lost 80 % of harvest in 2023–2024. Indonesia successfully developed Inpari 32 and 34 varieties that survive 8–12 dS/m salinity.
Research Gap No study has tested Inpari lines under Bangladesh’s exact soil and rainfall pattern.
Objectives
- Evaluate growth performance of 5 Inpari varieties in Khulna soil
- Identify the best two lines for local farmers
- Train 500 farmers in seed production
Methodology Year 1: Field trials in 3 villages, measure salinity every week, collect yield data.
Year 2: Cross-breeding with local BRRI dhan varieties, farmer field schools.
Expected Contribution Increase coastal rice yield by minimum 35 %, feed extra 800,000 people in Khulna division by 2030.
Example 2 – PhD (accepted at ITB – Geothermal Energy)
Title: Optimizing Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) for Pakistan Using Wayang Windu Field Data
Background Pakistan has 50,000 MW geothermal potential in Balochistan but zero commercial plants because of hard rock and low permeability. Indonesia operates 2.3 GW and masters EGS technology.
Research Gap No research applies Wayang Windu stimulation data to the Chagai geological formation in Pakistan.
Objectives
- Model heat extraction rate using ITB’s reservoir simulator
- Design stimulation plan for 50 MW pilot plant
- Create cost-reduction strategy for Pakistan
Methodology Month 1–12: Data collection at Wayang Windu field (fieldwork in Indonesia) Month 13–30: Numerical modelling using TOUGH2 software at ITB lab Month 31–36: Economic analysis + policy paper for Pakistan government
Expected Results Reduce EGS drilling cost from $12 million to $7 million per well → make first Pakistani plant possible by 2032.
Example 3 – Master’s (accepted at UGM – Public Policy)
Title: Reducing Maternal Mortality in Rural Tanzania Through Indonesian Puskesmas Model
Background Tanzania has 556 maternal deaths per 100,000 births. My sister almost died in 2023 because the nearest clinic was 45 km away. Indonesia reduced its rate from 390 to 189 in 15 years using strong community health centres (Puskesmas).
Objectives
- Analyse 10 best Puskesmas in Yogyakarta
- Design adapted model for 50 Tanzanian villages
- Train 200 midwives during the program
Methodology Phase 1: 6-month observation at Puskesmas in Bantul and Sleman
Phase 2: Write policy brief + pilot in Dodoma region when I return
Expected Outcome Cut maternal deaths by 40 % in pilot area within 3 years after graduation.
Get your LoA from that university first: How to Get LoA – Email Templates.
Ready-to-Use Template (Just Fill the Blanks)
Title: [Clear title that includes your country + the solution from Indonesia]
1. Background (250–350 words) Explain the real problem in your country → add one personal/family story → show statistics → mention how Indonesia already solved it.
2. Research Gap “No previous study has … in [your country] context.”
3. Objectives • Main objective • Specific objective 1 • Specific objective 2 • Specific objective 3
4. Methodology Semester 1: … Semester 2: … Semester 3–4: … (include fieldwork in Indonesia if possible)
5. Expected Contribution When I return I will [exact plan + number of people you will help].
6. Timeline (copy this table)
| Semester | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Coursework + literature review |
| 2 | Indonesian language + proposal defence |
| 3 | Data collection / fieldwork |
| 4 | Data analysis |
| 5–6 | Thesis writing + publication |
7. References (at least 12–15 sources, include at least 3–4 Indonesian authors/papers)
Choose the university that matches your topic: KNB Scholarship Participating Universities List 2026.
Final Tips from 2025 Winners
- Never copy-paste anything → similarity above 10 % = reject
- Use IPB, ITB, UGM journals as references (shows you did homework)
- Include 3–6 months fieldwork in Indonesia → reviewers love it
- End with exact numbers: “help 500 farmers”, “reduce cost by 30 %”, etc.
At the end → Once proposal is ready → Full Documents Checklist.