Top Scholarships for the Netherlands 2026

The Netherlands offers dozens of scholarships for international students in 2026. The Holland Scholarship provides a one-time €5,000 grant for non-EEA students. The Orange Tulip Scholarship covers partial to full tuition depending on the country. Erasmus Mundus joint master's programmes include full tuition plus a monthly stipend. Individual universities like TU Delft, Amsterdam, and Leiden offer their own merit-based awards worth €5,000–€30,000+. This guide lists every major scholarship, its value, eligibility, and deadline.

Holland Scholarship

The Holland Scholarship is the most widely available scholarship for international students in the Netherlands. It is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, together with Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences.

Detail	Information
Amount	€5,000 (one-time payment)
Eligibility	Non-EEA students applying to a Dutch bachelor's or master's programme
Requirement	First time studying in the Netherlands, admitted to a participating institution
Deadline	February 1 or May 1 (varies by university)
Selection	Academic merit and motivation — each university has its own criteria

The Holland Scholarship is not a full-ride award. It is a one-time €5,000 payment in your first year. But it stacks with other scholarships, making it a solid baseline. Over 40 Dutch institutions participate. Apply through your chosen university — there is no central application. A student from Brazil admitted to Erasmus University Rotterdam would apply through the EUR scholarship portal by February 1.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

The Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS) is managed by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education. Unlike the Holland Scholarship, the OTS is country-specific. Not all countries participate, and the available awards vary by country.

In 2026, the OTS is available in over 30 countries including India, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, Russia, South Korea, and Vietnam. The scholarship value ranges from partial tuition waivers to full tuition plus living costs depending on the participating university and country.

Application deadlines vary by country and institution. Most fall between February and May. Check the Nuffic website for your specific country page and available programmes. A student from Indonesia could receive a full tuition waiver for a master's at the University of Twente through the OTS.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

The Erasmus Mundus programme funds joint master's degrees offered by consortia of European universities. Many of these programmes include Dutch universities as partners. Erasmus Mundus scholarships are among the most generous in Europe.

Detail	Information
Tuition coverage	Full tuition for the entire programme (1–2 years)
Monthly stipend	€1,400/month for the full duration
Travel costs	€1,000–€3,000/year depending on distance
Installation costs	€1,000 one-time settlement allowance
Deadline	Typically January (for September start)

Dutch universities participate in programmes covering fields from water resources engineering (TU Delft + partner universities) to European politics (Leiden + partners) to sustainable chemistry (multiple Dutch institutions). The monthly stipend of €1,400 covers living costs in the Netherlands. These programmes require studying at two or more universities in different countries during the degree.

University-Specific Scholarships

TU Delft — Justus & Louise van Effen Scholarship

TU Delft's flagship scholarship covers full tuition plus a monthly living allowance of approximately €1,100. It targets non-EEA master's students who demonstrate academic merit. Deadline: typically December 1 for the following September intake. This is one of the most competitive scholarships in the Netherlands — only about 10–15 awards per year.

University of Amsterdam — Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

The Amsterdam Merit Scholarships offer €5,000 (partial scholarship) or full tuition for high-achieving master's students. Available to both EU and non-EU students. Each faculty selects its own recipients based on academic records and motivation letters. Deadline: January 15 for most programmes.

Leiden University — Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)

LExS offers three levels: €10,000 tuition waiver, €15,000 tuition waiver, or full tuition waiver. Open to non-EU/EEA master's students. Selection is based on academic results, two reference letters, and a motivation letter. Deadline: February 1. Approximately 50 awards per year.

Utrecht University — Utrecht Excellence Scholarships

Utrecht offers scholarships worth the full tuition fee minus the statutory rate or full tuition plus €11,000 living costs. Available to non-EU master's students with a GPA in the top 10% of their class. Deadline: January 31 for priority consideration.

University of Groningen — Eric Bleumink Fund

The Eric Bleumink Fund provides full tuition plus living expenses for students from developing countries. It covers one or two years of master's study. Selection is based on academic merit and financial need. Deadline: January 15. Approximately 12 awards per year — highly competitive.

Wageningen University — Africa Scholarship Programme

Wageningen offers full scholarships (tuition + living costs) for master's students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme targets fields related to food, agriculture, environment, and life sciences. Deadline: February 1. Approximately 20 awards per year.

Dutch Government Scholarships

OKP (Orange Knowledge Programme)

The OKP is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and targets professionals from developing countries. It covers full tuition, travel, living costs, and visa expenses for short courses and master's programmes. Eligible countries include many nations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Applications go through Nuffic. Deadlines vary by programme — typically March to June.

MENA Scholarship Programme

Specifically for students from the Middle East and North Africa region. It covers short courses and master's programmes at Dutch institutions. Full funding includes tuition, travel, and living allowance. Countries include Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria (refugees), Tunisia, and Yemen. Application through Nuffic.

NWO Research Grants

The NWO (Dutch Research Council) funds PhD positions and research master's projects. These are typically advertised as paid positions rather than scholarships — PhD candidates in the Netherlands receive a salary of approximately €2,800–€3,600/month gross. Check university job portals and AcademicTransfer.nl for current openings.

Scholarship Application Tips

Apply early. Most scholarship deadlines fall in January or February for September admission. Late applications are not considered. Set reminders for each deadline at least one month in advance.

Stack multiple scholarships. The Holland Scholarship (€5,000) can be combined with university-specific awards. A student at Leiden could receive LExS (€15,000 tuition waiver) plus Holland Scholarship (€5,000) in the same year.

Write a specific motivation letter. Generic letters do not win scholarships. Mention the exact programme, professors whose research interests you, and how the scholarship connects to your career goals. Each application deserves its own tailored letter.

Get strong reference letters. Many scholarships require two academic references. Ask professors who know your work well — not just those who gave you good grades. Give your referees at least four weeks' notice and provide them with your CV and motivation letter.

Check country-specific options. Students from India, China, Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey, and many other countries have additional scholarships through the OTS and bilateral programmes. Your home country's education ministry may also offer overseas study grants.

For a complete overview of costs and budgeting, see our Netherlands costs and funding guide. For visa requirements and financial proof, check our Netherlands student visa guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest scholarship for the Netherlands?

Erasmus Mundus scholarships are the most valuable — covering full tuition plus €1,400/month living stipend plus travel costs. For single-university scholarships, the TU Delft Justus & Louise van Effen Scholarship and Groningen's Eric Bleumink Fund both cover full tuition plus living expenses. These awards are worth €25,000–€40,000+ per year.

Can I get a full scholarship to study in the Netherlands?

Yes. Several options cover full tuition and living costs: Erasmus Mundus joint master's programmes, the TU Delft Justus & Louise van Effen Scholarship, the Eric Bleumink Fund at Groningen, the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (top level), and government programmes like OKP for developing countries. Competition is strong — typically a 2–5% acceptance rate for the most generous awards.

Is the Holland Scholarship enough to cover costs?

The Holland Scholarship is a one-time €5,000 payment. It helps but does not cover full costs. Non-EU tuition alone ranges from €8,000 to €20,000+ per year. The Holland Scholarship works best when combined with other awards or personal funding. Think of it as a supplement, not a primary funding source.

When should I apply for Dutch scholarships?

Most deadlines fall between January 1 and February 1 for programmes starting in September. Some have later deadlines (March–May). Start your research in September of the year before you plan to study. Apply to your university programme first, then submit scholarship applications. Many scholarships require an admission offer or at least a pending application.

Are there scholarships for EU students in the Netherlands?

Fewer, since EU students already pay the lower statutory tuition of €2,530/year. However, the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship accepts EU applicants. Many university-specific awards are open to all nationalities. EU students working 56+ hours/month also qualify for DUO student finance, which includes a basic grant of €110–300/month.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?

Yes. Most Dutch scholarships allow parallel applications. The Holland Scholarship can be combined with university-specific awards. Erasmus Mundus is separate and cannot usually be combined. Always check the terms of each scholarship for stacking rules. Applying to three or four scholarships simultaneously is standard practice.

Do I need IELTS for scholarship applications?

Most scholarships require proof of English proficiency as part of your university admission. Typical requirements: IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80–100. Some competitive scholarships prefer higher scores (IELTS 7.0+). The English proficiency requirement is set by the university programme, not the scholarship itself. Take your test at least three months before the scholarship deadline.

What are my chances of getting a Dutch scholarship?

It depends on the scholarship. The Holland Scholarship has a moderate acceptance rate since over 40 institutions participate — hundreds of awards total. University-specific full scholarships like TU Delft's van Effen are highly competitive with 2–5% acceptance. Erasmus Mundus accepts roughly 10–15% of applicants. Your odds improve significantly by applying to multiple scholarships and tailoring each application carefully.

Next Steps

Start your scholarship search early — September for a September start. Bookmark deadlines for your top three choices. For a full overview of studying in the Netherlands, explore our complete Netherlands guide, with detailed sections on costs and funding, admissions and applications, and programmes and universities.