NL Scholarship 2027
The NL Scholarship (previously known as the Holland Scholarship) is a Dutch initiative designed specifically for students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to study at Dutch universities. Funded jointly by the Dutch Ministry of Education and individual universities, it aims to encourage talented international students to experience higher education in the Netherlands.
NL Scholarship Coverage
This government partially funded scholarship for international students covers the following:
-
an award of €5,000
NL Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for NL Scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Hold a nationality from outside the EEA
- Apply for a full-time bachelor's or master's degree at a participating university in the Netherlands
- Fulfill all specific admission requirements set by your chosen institution (available on their website)
- Not be previously awarded a degree from a Dutch educational institution
For detailed requirements, refer to the official eligibility page .
Eligible degree levels
Eligible programmes
Eligible nationalities
How to Apply
In this section, we'll provide a clear general overview of requirements and steps to guide you through the application process for NL Scholarship.
To apply for NL Scholarship, please follow these steps:
-
Apply through an eligible institution
Important Note: The application procedures and required documents for NL Scholarship may vary depending on your degree, program, nationality and other factors. For specific details regarding the requirements, kindly visit the official website of NL Scholarship.
Application Deadlines
Now that you’re familiar with the application procedure, it’s time to know the application dates! Knowing the dates for NL Scholarship will help you prepare early and it will also give you the time you need to put together a competitive application.
Application deadlines vary
The application deadlines for NL Scholarship vary. It’s important to review official guidelines on the official website or contact administrators for specific deadlines. Make sure to regularly check the NL Scholarship page for the latest and most accurate information on application deadlines.
NL Scholarship Eligible Institutions
The eligible institutions for NL Scholarship are listed below:
A
H
NL Scholarship Recipients
Meet students who have received NL Scholarship and learn how they secured their award.
NL Scholarship Recipient Insights
Eight featured stories describe master’s study supported by the NL Scholarship, also called the Holland Scholarship in several accounts. Recipients studied at Eindhoven University of Technology, Tilburg University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radboud University, University of Twente.
| Nationalities | Stories per nationality |
|---|---|
| Brazilian, Indian | 2 each |
| American, Mexican, Pakistani, Turkish | 1 each |
| Degree level | Stories | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | 8 | Behavioral Science; Cognitive Neuropsychology; International Business Taxation; International Technology Law; Law and Technology; Sustainable Energy Technology; bioengineering technologies; chemical and process engineering |
Funding Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported coverage |
|---|---|
| Srinivasan Seshadri — Master’s study in chemical and process engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology | Holland Scholarship support of EUR 5,000 for first-year living expenses and EUR 2,500 for the second year. Separately, the Amandus H. Lundqvist Talent Scholarship Program covered tuition for two years and provided EUR 10,000 toward living costs. |
| Berfin Kemal — Master’s in Law and Technology (LL.M.), Tilburg University | EUR 10,000 from the NL Scholarship. |
| Kathryn — Master’s in Behavioral Science, Radboud University | One-time NL Scholarship payment of EUR 5,000. Separately, the Radboud Scholarship reduced tuition to the EU rate of about EUR 2,500 per year; she said the awards together covered her tuition. |
| Marina Mendes — Master’s in Cognitive Neuropsychology (Research Master’s), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | EUR 5,000 from the NL Scholarship toward first-year living costs. The separate VU Fellowship Programme covered her annual tuition of EUR 12,130. |
| Lizeth Chávez — Master’s study focused on bioengineering technologies, University of Twente | One-time NL/Holland payment of EUR 5,000. Her separately reported package included the University of Twente Scholarship at EUR 12,000 per year for up to two years, plus a 50% tuition-fee waiver for the program’s nominal duration. |
Examples of Featured Recipients’ Application Backgrounds
| Recipient and degree/program | Scholarship/application route | Reported background and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Aaradhya (completed 2023) — Master’s in Sustainable Energy Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology | Master’s application and ALSP/Holland funding at Eindhoven University of Technology | Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s from Vellore Institute of Technology with a 9.08/10 GPA. Built renewable-energy projects, research publications and aero-design team leadership experience, plus an internship at Nanyang Technological University. Tailored his motivation letter around sustainability research and the financial support he needed. |
| Berfin Kemal — Master’s in Law and Technology (LL.M.), Tilburg University | Scholarship application after admission to Tilburg University | Law bachelor’s from Ankara University with a 3.6/4.0 CGPA; extensive debate experience, Erasmus+ youth projects and volunteering with the Turkish Red Crescent. Followed the scholarship cover-letter instructions and connected her legal work, volunteering, social contribution and financial need. |
| Marina Mendes — Master’s in Cognitive Neuropsychology (Research Master’s), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | VUFP application with automatic NL consideration at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Psychology bachelor’s from the University of Brasilia with a 4.9/5 GPA. Joined research groups to strengthen cognitive-psychology skills and took neuroscience courses during an exchange in Granada. Tracked program requirements, recommendation letters, GPA explanations and translated documents. |
| Syed Shaharyar Ahmed — Master’s in International Technology Law, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Combined VUFP and Holland funding at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Law bachelor’s with a 3.97/4.0 CGPA. Worked as a legal associate during his studies, wrote research publications, completed remote legal internships and took courses in international, European and business law. Connected this experience and client work to international technology law. |
| Lizeth Chávez — Master’s study focused on bioengineering technologies, University of Twente | Master’s and funding applications at the University of Twente | Biomedical Engineering bachelor’s with a 95.6/100 GPA, leadership recognition and two top-three biomedical hackathon finishes. An exchange at Graz University of Technology helped prepare her for living abroad. Researched program courses and professors and focused closely on her CV and cover letter. |
How Recipients Met Language Requirements
| Language requirement route | Stories / total funded degree-study stories | Recipients and examples |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS for the master’s application | 1/8 | 8.0 (Syed Shaharyar Ahmed). |
| TOEFL for the master’s application | 2/8 | TOEFL taken for the application (João Pedro Rocha Oliveira, Marina Mendes). João Pedro Rocha Oliveira specifically took TOEFL iBT for Tilburg University after his earlier exchange-program result expired. |
Application Timelines Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Application or scholarship route | Reported application timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Kathryn — Master’s in Behavioral Science, Radboud University | Integrated admission, Radboud Scholarship and NL applications at Radboud University | Began researching programs around September. Both scholarships were integrated into the admission application, with an earlier deadline at the end of January. |
| Aaradhya (completed 2023) — Master’s in Sustainable Energy Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology | Master’s admission and combined ALSP/Holland funding at Eindhoven University of Technology | Began preparing in September 2020, a year before his intended start. By February he had decided on the Netherlands; the ALSP award in April helped him choose his university. He separately reported receiving the Holland Scholarship alongside ALSP. |
Language of Scholarship-Funded Study
English-taught degree accounts include Sustainable Energy Technology at Eindhoven University of Technology (Aaradhya), Behavioral Science at Radboud University (Kathryn), International Business Taxation at Tilburg University (João Pedro Rocha Oliveira), International Technology Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Syed Shaharyar Ahmed) and master’s study focused on bioengineering technologies at the University of Twente (Lizeth Chávez).
What Recipients Pursued After Their Scholarship-Funded Studies
| Recipient | Scholarship-funded degree/program | Reported outcome or current status |
|---|---|---|
| Aaradhya (completed 2023) | Master’s in Sustainable Energy Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology | Current role: life-cycle-assessment specialist at TNO in the Netherlands. His thesis there examined future scenarios for cadmium-telluride solar panels; he described the thesis collaboration leading to his full-time role. |
| João Pedro Rocha Oliveira (completed 2024) | LL.M. in International Business Taxation, Tilburg University | Current role: indirect tax specialist at Stripe, based in Amsterdam. |
| Berfin Kemal | LL.M. in Law and Technology, Tilburg University | Ongoing study: finalizing her LL.M. when she shared her account. |
| Kathryn | Master’s in Behavioral Science, Radboud University | Ongoing study: pursuing the degree and planning her Decision Neuroeconomics thesis at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior. |
| Marina Mendes | Research Master’s in Cognitive Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Ongoing study: in the final year and approaching her master’s thesis, with a developing interest in the neuropsychology of spirituality and mediumship. |
| Srinivasan Seshadri | Master’s study in chemical and process engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology | Ongoing study: approaching graduation. Future plan: seeking process-engineering opportunities in industry or research. |
Other Offers in Featured Applicants’ Journeys
| Recipient | Reported alternative | Decision described in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Aaradhya (completed 2023) — Master’s in Sustainable Energy Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology | Admission offers from Delft University of Technology, University of Twente, KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Chalmers University of Technology. | Chose Eindhoven University of Technology after the ALSP award helped resolve his financial uncertainty. |
| Marina Mendes — Master’s in Cognitive Neuropsychology (Research Master’s), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Think Big Postgraduate Award of GBP 26,000 for Applied Neuropsychology at the University of Bristol. | Explicitly declined the Bristol offer in favor of studying in Amsterdam. |
| Syed Shaharyar Ahmed — Master’s in International Technology Law, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | GREAT Scholarship at the University of Warwick worth GBP 15,000; a 50% tuition award at Nottingham Trent University; and a 50% tuition award at Central European University. | Reported these offers alongside the VUFP and NL/Holland awards supporting his studies at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. |
| Lizeth Chávez — Master’s study focused on bioengineering technologies, University of Twente | SMARTS-UP Excellence Scholarship of EUR 8,000 for the first year of the BME Paris program at Paris Cité University and Arts et Métiers. | Reported this as another scholarship offer in her master’s application journey. |
What NL Scholars Say
Advice and reflections from scholars about the NL application process and programme.
"I received two scholarships that, together, fully covered my tuition: The Radboud Scholarship, which allowed me to pay the same tuition rate as EU residents (about €2,500/year)... The NL Scholarship, a one-time award of €5,000"
"As part of the aforementioned LL.M., I was proud to be awarded the merit-based NL Scholarship (formerly the ‘Holland Scholarship’) in the amount of €10,000 to support this chapter of my academic and professional journey."
"I carefully studied the official instructions for the scholarship’s cover letter, as it is the most critical component of the application."
"My experience at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) was truly transformative, both personally and professionally. Coming from a small town in India, being part of such a diverse and research-intensive environment helped me grow in ways I hadn’t imagine."
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about NL Scholarship, eligibility, funding, and applications.
No. The NL Scholarship page describes it as a partially funded scholarship rather than a fully funded one. In practice, recipients often used it to reduce first-year costs or paired it with other support. For example, according to Marina Mendes, the NL Scholarship “significantly helped with my cost of living” when she started her Research Master’s at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The general NL Scholarship page lists the scholarship as an award of €5,000. Marina Mendes explained that in her intake the NL Scholarship was awarded as “either €5,000 or €10,000,” and she received €5,000. Meanwhile, João Pedro Rocha Oliveira and Berfin Kemal both reported receiving €10,000 at Tilburg University.
Applicants generally must be from outside the EEA, apply for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree at a participating institution in the Netherlands, satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen university, and not already hold a degree from a Dutch educational institution.
Applicants apply through an eligible institution, and the exact process depends on the university. Recipient stories confirm that the process is not identical everywhere. For example, Kathryn said that at Radboud University there were “no separate forms, just an earlier deadline,” while Marina Mendes noted that at VU Amsterdam, students applying for the VU Fellowship Programme are automatically considered for the NL Scholarship.
Yes, it is competitive. The general page presents it as a selective scholarship for international students, and recipient stories reinforce that point. João Pedro Rocha Oliveira wrote that “the first key criterion is academic merit,” and he also described it as a scholarship for a select number of high-performing non-EEA students. He added that, in his case, there was only one scholarship available through Tilburg Law School.
The recipient stories consistently point to fit, preparation, and tailored writing. Berfin Kemal said the scholarship’s cover letter “is the most critical component” of the application, and she tailored it around the scholarship’s goals and her long-term impact. João Pedro Rocha Oliveira also emphasized understanding the selection criteria and presenting a clear, coherent story that matches what the scholarship committee is looking for.
In some cases, yes. The Global Scholarships stories show that recipients sometimes received the NL Scholarship alongside other awards. Kathryn received both the Radboud Scholarship and the NL Scholarship, while Marina Mendes received both the VU Fellowship Programme and the NL Scholarship. Whether stacking is allowed depends on the university and the funding scheme involved.
In the recipient stories on Global Scholarships, the featured master’s programs were taught in English. For example, Kathryn shared that “All my courses are in English,” and she added that English is widely spoken both in and outside the classroom. Still, language expectations depend on the university and program, so applicants should always check the official admissions page for their chosen course.
The general scholarship page lists many participating institutions, including Tilburg University, Utrecht University, the University of Groningen, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Maastricht University, Radboud University, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, the University of Twente, and several Dutch universities of applied sciences. Because participation and available places can change, applicants should confirm the current list through the scholarship page and their target university.
Start early, research carefully, and tailor everything. Marina Mendes prepared a detailed table of programs, scholarships, required documents, and personal deadlines. Berfin Kemal advised applicants to speak with alumni or current students and to explain clearly how their work contributes to society. João Pedro Rocha Oliveira recommended reading the requirements closely and making sure your profile genuinely matches the scholarship’s goals.
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
Leave A Comment