NL Scholarship 2026–2027 in the Netherlands (Formerly Holland Scholarship) | Study Bachelor’s or Master’s in Europe

If you are an international student from outside the European Economic Area (non-EEA) planning to start a full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the Netherlands, the NL Scholarship (formerly the Holland Scholarship) is now open for the 2026–2027 intake. Applications for the academic year 2026–2027 opened on 1 November 2025 — you must apply via the participating Dutch higher-education institution you choose. Here's everything you need to know.

🎓 Scholarship summary

• Location: The Netherlands.

• Host institution: Any participating Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (see list below).

• Study level: Full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s programmes.

• Target group: International students who are citizens of non-EEA countries and who have not obtained a degree in the Netherlands.

• Fields of study: Varies by institution — check the specific institution’s NL Scholarship page for eligible programmes.

• Value & coverage: €5,000 paid in the first year (one-off); this is a contribution toward study/living costs — not a full tuition waiver. (Amount and payment schedule may vary slightly by institution.)

• Application deadline: Institution-dependent. (Applications opened 1 Nov 2025 for the 2026–2027 academic year — check the institution’s deadline and the exact call on the university website.)

• Start date: Depends on your chosen programme (typically programmes that begin in September start in September 2026 for the 2026–2027 academic year). Confirm the programme start on the university page.

  
  

📚 Scholarship overview

The NL Scholarship is a national scholarship scheme financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture & Science together with participating Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. It offers a single, one-time payment (approximately €5,000) to successful applicants in their first year in the Netherlands. The list of participating institutions changes yearly; each institution decides on selection criteria, the number of scholarships available, and exact internal deadlines.

💲 What the award typically covers (benefits)

• One-off grant of €5,000 (paid during the first academic year) — intended to help with living/study costs. It is not a tuition fee waiver. Actual payment schedule (e.g., two instalments) may vary by institution.

• No automatic coverage of tuition, visa fees, insurance, accommodation, or return travel unless a specific institution combines the NL Scholarship with additional institutional funding (check the university’s page).

✅ General Eligibility criteria

• You hold citizenship of a country outside the EEA (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway).

• You are applying for a full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at one of the participating institutions.

• You do not already hold a degree from a Dutch higher-education institution.

• You meet the specific admission and scholarship requirements of the institution you apply to (each university may add conditions such as programme eligibility, academic merit thresholds, or citizenship/special quotas).

📝 Application procedure (how to apply)

1. Select a participating institution and the specific full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s programme you want to join. (See the participating institutions list below.)

2. Apply for admission to that programme using the university’s normal admission/application portal before the university’s deadline. Most universities include the NL Scholarship question in their application process or have a separate scholarship form for applicants who already have an offer.

3. If you meet the university’s internal selection criteria, the institution will process/nominate your application for the NL Scholarship and inform you about selection results. Each university has limited places; nomination/selection procedures and timelines differ.

🗂️ Documents typically required

• Completed university application / scholarship nomination form (as required by the institution).

• Valid passport / national ID (proof of non-EEA nationality).

• Academic transcripts and diplomas (certified copies).

• Motivation letter (some universities ask for a specific scholarship motivation).

• Proof of meeting language requirements (if applicable for programme admission).

• Any additional documents the chosen university requests (e.g., CV, reference letters, portfolio for arts programmes). Always follow the checklist on the institution’s scholarship/finance page.

✨ Extra useful information

• The list of participating institutions changes each year — always consult the current Study in NL/Nuffic page and the specific university’s scholarship page for the 2026–2027 details and exact deadlines.

• Some universities may pay the scholarship in two instalments (check the payment schedule with the institution).

• The NL Scholarship is intended as a contribution to costs and is not intended to fully fund living + tuition for the whole programme. Plan your finances accordingly (tuition, housing, insurance, visa/residence permit costs).

📖 Participating universities (2026–2027) — click to go to each institution

Below I list the research universities and universities of applied sciences shown on the Study in NL page for the 2026–2027 year. Click a university name to go to its official website (use the university pages for specific NL Scholarship application deadlines and eligibility for that institution). The Study in NL page is the central reference for the yearly participating list.

🔬 Participating research universities (2026–2027)

• Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e).

• Maastricht University (UM).

• Protestant Theological University (PThU).

• Radboud University Nijmegen.

• Theological University Apeldoorn 

• University of Groningen (RUG).

• University of Twente (UT).

• Utrecht University (UU).

• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam).

• Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

📙 Participating universities of applied sciences (2026–2027)

• Aeres University of Applied Sciences

• Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HVA)

• Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK).

• ArtEZ Institute of the Arts

• Breda University of Applied Sciences

• Codarts Rotterdam

• Design Academy Eindhoven

• Driestar Christian University (Driestar educatief)

• Fontys University of Applied Sciences

• Gerrit Rietveld Academie

• The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS)

• Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Groningen)

• Hotelschool The Hague

• HAN University of Applied Sciences

• HKU University of the Arts Utrecht (HKU)

• HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

• HZ University of Applied Sciences

• NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

• Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (HR)

• Saxion University of Applied Sciences

• Thomas More Hogeschool

• University of the Arts The Hague (KABK / Royal Academy of Art)

• Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

🗂️ Resources

NL Scholarship 2026 Flyer

👌🏻 Tips for applicants

• Apply early to the university programme and double-check that the university participates for the 2026–2027 year and that the NL Scholarship is available for your chosen programme.

• Keep scanned certified copies of your transcripts, passport, and a clear motivation letter ready — many universities require these at application/nomination.

• Because funding is limited, prepare a strong motivation statement tailored to the programme and explain how studying in the Netherlands will support your academic/career goals.

🔗 Official NL Scholarship Website

---