Explore the 2026 Minerva Scholarship Fund (MSF) at Leiden University
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 25
- 3 min read
If you are a Leiden University Bachelor’s or Master’s student with a compelling idea for an internship, research project, or study abroad that promises academic value and impact, the Minerva Scholarship Fund (MSF) may be your chance. The MSF supports exceptional student initiatives abroad, offering financial support to help turn your project vision into reality. Applications are accepted twice a year and here's a breakdown of everything you need to know.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Projects undertaken outside the Netherlands (abroad)
Level: Undergraduate (Bachelor) and Graduate (Master) students enrolled at Leiden University
Target Group: Students registered at Leiden University (no requirement to be a member of L.S.V. Minerva)
Types of Projects Supported: Internship, study (course / module abroad), or research projects abroad (but not whole Master’s programmes or PhD tracks)
Award Amount: Between €900 and €2,000 per student
Eligible costs include research expenses, international travel, and living costs while abroad
Duration: The corresponding duration of the proposed project abroad (e.g. a semester, internship term, or defined research period)
Application Deadlines: 15 November and 15 April each year
Notification: Applicants are informed (no later than one month after deadline) whether they have been awarded the scholarship
📚 Scholarship Overview
The MSF is designed to assist Leiden students who want to go beyond their home institution and engage in academically ambitious, internationally located projects.
The fund allows you to propose a distinct project (internship, research, or study abroad) rather than full degree enrolment abroad.
The allocation (selection) committee consists of Leiden University lecturers from various disciplines who evaluate proposals on academic merit, project relevance, feasibility, and contribution to knowledge.
After your project completes, you must submit a project report (including images) within three months to MSF.
MSF is registered as a charity (ANBI) under Dutch tax law; donations to the fund may be tax-deductible under certain conditions.
🎁 What the Scholarship Offers
Financial Support: €900–€2,000 to help with project-related costs abroad (travel, living, research)
Flexibility: You can tailor the funding to your project needs (within allowable cost categories)
Academic Opportunity: Enables you to conduct work abroad you might otherwise not afford
Exposure & Growth: Travel, fieldwork, international collaboration — all reinforcing your academic trajectory
💡 Keep in mind: the funding is modest (not meant to cover full costs) and it's competitive, so strong justification, clarity of plan, and a robust budget are essential.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible:
You must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at Leiden University at the time of application.
You do not need to be a member of L.S.V. Minerva.
Your project must be abroad, not within the Netherlands, and must be of the internship, study, or research type.
Projects already in progress or completed cannot be funded.
PhD-level research or full Master’s degree abroad is not eligible.
After completion of your project, you must submit a report and images within three months.
📝 Application Procedure
Download the application form from the Minerva Scholarship Fund website.
Fill out the form in full, checking you have all required attachments.
Prepare required documents / attachments (see below).
Submit the complete application package before the relevant deadline (15 November or 15 April) to the address indicated.
🗂️ Documents & Attachments (commonly required)
Project explanation / proposal (objectives, methodology, timeline)
Detailed budget (cost breakdown)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Motivation / personal statement
List of grades / academic transcript
Letter(s) of recommendation (at least one)
🔎 Selection Criteria & Timeline
Applications are reviewed by the Allocation Committee, composed of Leiden University lecturers across varying disciplines.
They assess proposals based on academic relevance, feasibility, innovative contribution, and how well the project advances knowledge.
Decisions are announced within about one month after the deadline.
The decisions are final; no appeals are accepted.
ℹ️ Tips & Additional Notes
Because the funding is relatively modest, build a realistic and tight budget — don’t overreach.
Highlight the academic value, distinctiveness, and international relevance of your proposed project.
Start in advance gathering recommendation letters and refining your proposal.
Ensure your project schedule and deliverables are clear and achievable within the proposed timeframe.
Use the sample/application forms from prior years as templates for how to format your documents.
Remember to submit your final project report and images after completion to fulfill your obligation.
