How a Brazilian Psychologist Secured the VU Fellowship Programme and NL Scholarship to Pursue a Research Master’s in Cognitive Neuropsychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

My name is Marina Mendes, a Brazilian psychologist and writer currently pursuing the final year of my Research Master’s in Cognitive Neuropsychology at Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, in the Netherlands.

Curious about the complexities of the mind, I have explored many exciting paths in psychology, from health psychology to cognition and neuroscience, always driven by a desire to understand human experience through science. Now, approaching my Master’s thesis, one of my growing passions has been the underexplored field of the neuropsychology of spirituality and mediumship. After all, born and raised in a Kardecist Spiritist family, I have long reflected on how spiritual phenomena might be studied through scientific lenses. I see this as an opportunity not only to explore new frontiers in science but also to bring a piece of Brazilian cultural heritage into academic discussions.

I am deeply grateful to be able to pursue this academic journey here in the Netherlands, made possible by the trust placed in me through the VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) and the NL Scholarship.

VU Fellowship Programme and NL Scholarship Details

I was honored to be selected for both the VUFP and the NL Scholarship for the academic year 2024/2025 at the VU Amsterdam.

The VUFP is a highly competitive tuition fee waiver awarded to academically excellent non-EU/EEA students. For my program, the annual tuition fee for international students was €12,130, which was entirely covered by this scholarship.

When applying for the VUFP, you are automatically considered for the NL Scholarship, although only a limited number of VUFP recipients are selected to receive both. Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the NL Scholarship provides financial support to cover living costs in the first year of a Master’s program in the Netherlands. In my intake year, the scholarship was awarded to around 25 students, offering either €5,000 or €10,000. I received €5,000, which significantly helped with my cost of living in Amsterdam at my arrival.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Apart from the scholarships I received in the Netherlands, I was also offered a Think Big Postgraduate Award by the University of Bristol in the UK, for the Master’s in Applied Neuropsychology. Although I eventually declined the offer in favor of studying in Amsterdam, it was a great opportunity. The Think Big Scholarship is designed to help cover tuition fees for international students, with awards ranging from £6,500 to £26,000. I was awarded the highest amount, £26,000, which nearly covered the full international tuition fee of £26,800 for that year.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brazil, with a final GPA of 4.9 out of 5. My degree program itself did not include specific courses in Neuropsychology, thus I sought to bridge this gap through actively participating in various research groups, which allowed me to deepen my knowledge in Cognitive Psychology and develop technical research skills directly relevant to my Master's program.

Additionally, the UnB granted me the opportunity to go on an academic exchange to the Universidad de Granada, in Spain, where I enrolled in several neuroscience-related courses. This experience further strengthened my preparation for pursuing Cognitive Neuropsychology at the graduate level and provided me with greater insight into the specific endeavour I would follow.

How Did You Find Information About the NL Scholarship and Vrije Universiteit (VU)?

I used search engines as my main tool throughout the application process. Through them, I was able to identify universities that offered Master’s programs aligned with my academic interests, as well as possible funding opportunities according to the university, field of study (STEM), and country. I also attended international education fairs in my home city and made an effort to speak with representatives from various universities, even from those that didn’t offer the exact program I was looking for, to learn more about scholarship options in each country.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests?

Since my undergraduate studies were conducted in Portuguese, I took the TOEFL exam as part of my application. Around three months before the test, I joined a TOEFL preparatory course in my home city to get more familiar with the structure of the exam and to improve my performance, especially considering that time management, and not only English proficiency, is crucial in these kinds of tests. A few weeks prior to the official test date, I started taking online mock exams to get used to the timing and format.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the NL Scholarship?

My preparation started very early on, as I knew the process involved many different steps. The first thing I did was attend webinars about studying abroad and funding opportunities. I also tried to connect with people who had gone through similar experiences via social media.

Once I was more familiar with the options, I created a table listing all the programs I was interested in and the scholarships associated with each one, including independent scholarships or alternative funding options. I kept track of all required documents and set personal deadlines for each task (e.g., asking fellow professors for a recommendation letter,

requesting a GPA explanation document from my university, due to differences in our grading system, and so on). I also planned ahead for official documents that needed to be translated into English, since that can be costly both money- and time-wise.

When it came to my motivation letters, I worked on them very carefully and made sure to tailor each one specifically to the scholarship I was applying for. I also asked friends and family to read my materials and give me honest feedback, which helped a lot.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the way I told my story, connecting my past academic and personal experiences with my future goals, made my application stand out. To me, it is essential to try and answer the question “why do I deserve this scholarship?” with clarity and authenticity.

I think the key was how I linked where I come from, where I want to go, and the societal impact I hope to make through my work. Within the narrative, I aimed to present not only my academic potential but also my sense of purpose.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I could go through the process again, I would be more strategic in how I approached it. Considering that it was my first time applying for universities and scholarships abroad, it took me a while to believe in my own story and trust that my application was strong enough.

Therefore, I applied to many different programs and scholarships, spreading my energy across completely different, and sometimes unrelated, opportunities. If I could do it over, I would focus on a smaller number of universities and funding options, and truly refine each application to be more targeted and aligned with my long-term goals.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

It might sound cheesy, but know and trust your story. We are the only ones to truly understand our journey, our achievements, and how to make them shine in the application. That said, rejections will likely happen; I received a few myself. But each closed door is an opportunity to take a step back, reevaluate, revise, and try again with a stronger approach. Every meaningful journey requires a high dosage of resilience. Best of luck!