Are you looking for a fully funded opportunity to pursue world-class education in one of Europe’s most innovative countries? The Netherlands is a top destination for international students, offering globally recognized degrees and significant financial support.
Unlike some countries, the Netherlands offers a mix of government-backed programs and highly generous university-specific scholarships that cover tuition fees, living allowances, insurance, and travel costs. This guide explores the best fully funded scholarships open for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Overview of Fully Funded Dutch Scholarships
Dutch universities offer various scholarships to attract the world’s brightest students. While the general NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) is a partial award, several institutional programs offer comprehensive funding packages.
| Feature | Details |
| Host Country | Netherlands 🇳🇱 |
| Degree Levels | Master’s, Doctoral (PhD) |
| Financial Coverage | Fully Funded Options Available (Tuition, Stipend, Travel, Insurance) |
| Top Providers | Maastricht University, TU Delft, Utrecht University, University of Groningen |
| Deadline | Varies Widely (Mostly Dec 2025 – Feb 2026) |
Top Fully Funded University Scholarships (Masters Level)
Several Dutch universities provide full scholarships that cover all major expenses for high-achieving non-EU/EEA students:
- Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship: Offers 21 full scholarships of €34,000 (including tuition waiver and monthly stipend) for highly talented students admitted to a Master’s program.
- Deadline: Typically December 8, 2025, for the 2026-2027 intake.
- TU Delft Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships: Provides €30,000 per year to cover tuition fees and other expenses for Master’s studies at Delft University of Technology.
- Deadline: Typically December 1, 2025.
- Eric Bleumink Scholarships at University of Groningen: These are fully funded scholarships for Master’s studies, covering tuition fee, international travel costs, subsistence, books, and health insurance.
- Deadline: Typically December 1 (annual).
- Utrecht Excellence Scholarship: A fully funded Master’s scholarship that covers the full tuition fee and provides an additional £11,000 grant for living costs.
Special Funding Programs for International Students
- Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS):
- The OTS is specific for students from selected Neso countries (like Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa, etc.).
- Coverage: While usually a partial fee waiver, some participating institutions may offer full tuition coverage or additional benefits.
- Application: You apply directly to the Neso office in your country.
- MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP):
- Coverage: This program (though currently expired for the last listed cycle) provides Fully Funded opportunities for nationals from Middle Eastern and North African countries who want to complete a Master’s degree in the Netherlands.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD):
- Many EMJMDs are hosted by Dutch universities, offering Fully Funded programs with very generous stipends.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
To secure one of the prestigious fully funded scholarships, you must generally meet high standards:
- Academic Excellence: You must have obtained excellent results during your prior education, often demonstrated by a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 or higher.
- Nationality: Must hold a nationality in a country outside the EU/EEA and meet Dutch visa requirements.
- Prior Study: Must not have previously participated in a degree-seeking higher education program in the Netherlands.
- University Admission: You must first apply for admission to a participating full-time Master’s program at the specific university before the scholarship deadline.
- Required Documents: Typically includes a motivation letter, CV, academic transcripts, and proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL).
Deadline Summary
Since many top scholarships are institutional, their deadlines align with the earliest university application deadlines:
- Earliest Deadline: December 1, 2025 (TU Delft, University of Groningen).
- General Deadline: January 15, 2026 (Many institutional scholarships).
- Final Deadline: February 1, 2026 (Some institutional programs).
Start your application by choosing your Master’s program and contacting the university immediately for their specific scholarship application procedures!
