NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship)

NL Scholarship 2026-2027: EUR 5,000 one-time grant for non-EEA international students admitted to a full-time Master's at participating Dutch universities or universities of applied sciences. Apply through the institution; deadlines vary.

NetherlandsMastersPartially FundedDeadline: Varies by institution (2026-2027 applications opened Nov 1, 2025; some close May 1, 2026)

Official source: Study in NL • Last updated:

Eligibility

Study location
Netherlands
Academic background
Must meet admission/academic requirements for Masters study (check official source)
Admission required
Many providers require admission or a valid offer before funding decisions (confirm official source)
Minimum GPA/grades
Merit threshold is provider/program-dependent (confirm official source)
Work experience
Requirement varies by scholarship type and provider
Field of study
Program-dependent; applicants must match eligible disciplines listed by the provider
Residency requirement
May apply for country-targeted or region-targeted schemes
Document language/translations
Certified translations/legalization may be required for non-native-language documents
Current enrollment status
Depends on call rules (new-admit vs currently-enrolled categories may differ)
Eligible nationalities
Non-EEA (non-European Economic Area) applicants
Degree level
Full-time Master's programme at a participating Dutch higher education institution
Institution requirements
Must meet academic and language requirements of the host institution
Prior Dutch education
No degree from an educational institution in the Netherlands

Benefits

Tuition
Listed as partial (confirm coverage on official source)
Stipend
Varies by provider/call; check official source for amount and payment terms
Accommodation
Provider-dependent; may be included, subsidized, or unavailable by scheme
Travel
Provider-dependent; some schemes include one-time travel support
Health insurance
Coverage depends on scholarship conditions and host-country rules
Other benefits
Additional support may include research, books, or orientation allowances (scheme-dependent)
Visa/residence support
Some schemes provide limited support; verify visa-fee or permit support on official source
Application fee
Fee policy is portal/provider-specific; confirm before submission
Grant amount
EUR 5,000 paid once in the first year
Cost coverage
Contributes to study-related expenses; not a full-tuition scholarship
Funding source
Financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science plus participating Dutch institutions

Application process

  1. Where to apply: Apply for admission and the NL Scholarship directly via the participating institution
  2. Check eligibility: Confirm institution-specific criteria, eligible programmes, and deadline on the institution website
  3. Submit scholarship materials: Follow the institution's NL Scholarship instructions and upload required documents
  4. Await decision: Scholarship results are communicated by the institution
  5. Account/nomination: Create an account or complete nomination/referral steps where the provider requires it.
  6. Selection method: Follow the provider’s official process (merit/test/interview/portfolio, as applicable).

Required documents

  • Passport or national ID
  • Admission application or (provisional) offer letter
  • Academic transcripts and degree certificate
  • CV/Resume
  • Motivation letter
  • Language test results if required by the institution/programme
  • Recommendation letters (if required)
  • Certified translations (if required)
  • Portfolio / research proposal (if required)
  • Medical / health certificate (if required)
  • Any additional forms requested by the provider

Good to know

  • The NL Scholarship covers bachelor's and master's programmes; this listing focuses on master's opportunities.
  • Participating institutions change each year. For 2026-2027, Study in NL lists research universities (e.g., Eindhoven University of Technology, Maastricht University, Radboud University, University of Groningen, University of Twente, Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, Wageningen) and multiple universities of applied sciences.
  • Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year opened on November 1, 2025 and deadlines are set by each institution.
  • Always verify the exact deadline and required documents on the institution's official NL Scholarship page.

FAQ

Is the NL Scholarship fully funded?

No. It is a one-time EUR 5,000 grant for first-year costs and does not cover full tuition.

Who can apply?

Non-EEA international students admitted to a full-time Master's programme at a participating Dutch institution, subject to the institution's requirements.

How do I apply?

Apply through your chosen participating institution. Each institution has its own application process and deadline.

When is the deadline?

Deadlines vary by institution. Some participating institutions close May 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 intake, so always check the institution page.

Can I apply if I already have a Dutch degree?

No. The NL Scholarship requires that you do not have a degree from an educational institution in the Netherlands.

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Khalifa University Scholarship

Khalifa University offers graduate scholarship tiers for master's applicants in the UAE, with potential tuition waiver benefits and selected support for eligible full-time international students.

United Arab EmiratesMastersPartially FundedDeadline: March 2, 2026 (Fall 2026 intake)

Official source: Khalifa University Postgraduate Admissions and Scholarship FAQs • Updated:

DetailsApply

Ready to apply?

Applications are completed on the official provider website. Be cautious with third-party sites and always verify scholarship details at the source.

Go to official application page →