You are here

Holland Scholarship

scholarships for international students

Holland Scholarship

Netherland Government offers Holland scholarship for international students for academic year 2026-2026. This scholarship is available for undergraduate and masters studies and provides the recipient with € 5,000 which can be used to cover tuition fee.

Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: Undergraduate / Masters
  • Institution(s): Participating research universities and Participating universities of applied sciences
  • Study in: Netherlands
  • Courses Offered: Bachelor’s or Master’s Program in eligible fields of study offered by the participating institutions.
  • Program Period: The grant is awarded for one year and can only be received once.
  • Deadline: February 01, 2026 / May 01, 2026

Participating research universities

Below is an overview of the Dutch research universities participating in the Holland Scholarship for the 2026-2026 academic year. You can find the specific closing dates and the fields of study for this academic year on the website of the institution you want to apply to.

Participating universities of applied sciences

Below is an overview of the Dutch universities of applied sciences participating in the Holland Scholarship for the 2026-2026 academic year.

Scholarship Coverage

Holland Scholarship provides the recipient with:

  • Scholarship amount  €5,000.
  • Please note that this is not a full-tuition scholarship.

You May also like:

Eligibility Criteria for Holland Scholarship

To qualify for Holland Scholarship, candidates must fulfill all of the following requirements below:

  • Required Languages: English
  • Eligible Countries: Non-EEA International Students
  • You are applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at one of the participating Dutch higher education institutions.
  • Your nationality is non-EEA.
  • You meet the specific requirements of the institution of your choice. You can find these on the website of the institution. For more click here 
  • You do not have a degree from an education institution in the Netherlands.

How to apply for Holland Scholarship?

Please follow the following instructions to avail Holland Scholarship:

  1. Apply for the Holland Scholarship. Click here 
  2. You can find an overview of participating Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences
    applied sciences, as well as selected fields of study.
  3. Compose a letter of motivation (max. 500 words) to the university, in which you describe why you are a talented student, taking into account both your academic achievements and extra-curricular activities (e.g. voluntary work).
  4. Indicate in your online application that you are applying for the Holland Scholarship and upload your scholarship motivation letter where indicated. The university will contact you to let you know if you have been awarded a scholarship.

Related Posts:

Ultimate Guide to the NL Scholarship (Formerly Holland Scholarship) for International Students

Studying in Europe is a dream for many ambitious students, and the Netherlands stands out as one of the premier destinations. Renowned for its world-class universities, innovative English-taught programs, and welcoming culture, the country draws thousands of global applicants annually. However, financing an international degree can be a hurdle.

If you are looking for financial support to study in the Netherlands, the NL Scholarship—widely recognized by its former name, the Holland Scholarship—is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities available.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about this fund: from eligibility criteria and financial value to application steps and insider strategies to secure it.

What is the NL (Holland) Scholarship?

The NL Scholarship is the national scholarship program of the Netherlands, funded jointly by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and over 40 Dutch higher education institutions (including both research universities and universities of applied sciences).

Important Update: In June 2023, the official name of this funding award was changed from the Holland Scholarship to the NL Scholarship. While many students and bloggers still search for it using the historical “Holland” name, they refer to the exact same administrative grant.

Unlike full fellowships, this award acts as a partial grant designed to help international students offset their initial relocation and academic costs during their first year of arrival.

Scholarship Financial Value and Benefits

Before map-out your academic journey, it is essential to understand exactly what the financial package covers:

  • Award Amount: A one-time payment of €5,000.

  • Duration: Granted strictly for the first year of your studies. It cannot be renewed for subsequent years of a multi-year degree.

  • Purpose: It functions as a contribution toward study-related expenses or living costs. The money is paid directly to you (often in installments or a lump sum, depending on the host institution) rather than being deducted automatically from your tuition fees.

Because this is a partial fund, you must demonstrate the financial capacity to cover your remaining tuition fees and living expenses to satisfy Dutch immigration requirements.

Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria

To successfully apply for the NL Scholarship, you must fulfill several baseline national requirements set by Nuffic (the Dutch organization for internationalization in education):

  1. Non-EEA Nationality: You must hold a passport from a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Students from Switzerland and Suriname are also generally excluded.

  2. Target Degree: You must be applying as a full-time student for an eligible Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program at a participating Dutch university.

  3. No Prior Dutch Degrees: You must have never previously studied or obtained a degree from an educational facility within the Netherlands (standard short-term exchange programs as part of an external Bachelor’s degree are typically excluded).

  4. Institutional Admission: You must meet the specific admission requirements of your chosen Dutch institution and have at least started or completed the formal application process for the academic course.

Participating Dutch Universities

The scholarship is distributed directly through individual host institutions. This means you do not apply to a central government agency; instead, you apply through the specific university you wish to attend.

Participating academic bodies are broadly divided into two structural categories:

1. Research Universities (Universiteiten)

These institutions focus on highly academic, research-driven programs. Examples include:

  • University of Groningen

  • University of Twente

  • Radboud University

  • VU Amsterdam

  • Utrecht University

2. Universities of Applied Sciences (Hogescholen)

These institutions focus on practical, profession-oriented arts and sciences. Examples include:

  • HAN University of Applied Sciences

  • Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

  • Hanze University of Applied Sciences

  • The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Step-by-Step Application Process

Because each host institution manages its own internal selection timeline, the exact mechanics can vary slightly. However, the standard procedural pipeline follows these critical steps:

1.Select an Eligible Program:Step 1.

Browse the official portal of your preferred Dutch research university or university of applied sciences. Verify that your target English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is actively participating in the NL Scholarship scheme for the upcoming academic cycle.

2.Apply for Academic Admission:Step 2.

Submit a full application for your chosen degree program through the centralized Dutch portal (Studielink) or the university’s internal application system (such as OSIRIS). You must secure either a conditional or unconditional admission offer letter.

3.Prepare Supporting Materials:Step 3.

Gather the required documents mandated by the scholarship committee. This universally includes a high-grade academic transcript, a comprehensive CV, and a heavily tailored Motivation Letter explaining your academic ambition. Some applied universities may require a short 3-minute video introduction or an essay.

4.Submit the Scholarship Request:Step 4.

Access the specific scholarship application web-form provided by your host institution’s international office. Upload your supporting documents and link the request directly to your student identification number.

 

Crucial Timelines & Deadlines

The application window for the academic cycle typically opens around November 1st of the preceding year. Closing deadlines are firm and fall into two primary annual blocks depending on the university:

  • Early Track: February 1st

  • Late Track: May 1st

How to Make Your Application Stand Out

With thousands of applicants vying for a limited pool of structural slots per university, your supplementary materials must be impeccable. Selection committees focus on two foundational metrics: Academic Excellence and Ambition.

  • Demonstrate High Merit: Maintain an excellent Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Top universities often look for profiles belonging to the top 5% to 10% of their graduating class.

  • Refine Your Motivation Letter: Do not write a generic statement. Clearly outline why studying in the Netherlands is vital for your trajectory, how your background aligns with the specific curriculum, and how you plan to impact your field after graduation.

  • Highlight Extracurricular Engagement: Document leadership experiences, volunteer initiatives, publications, or relevant internships. Dutch educational culture highly values holistic, proactive individuals.

Exploring Additional Options For International Travel

While preparing your European applications, it is highly recommended to broaden your academic safety net. Keeping track of deadlines globally ensures you maximize your options for fully-funded or subsidized educational pathways.

For alternative regional guides, fully funded programs, or practical student support networks, you can research additional resources to guide your application steps:

  • Visit StudentArrive for step-by-step guidance on international student visa processes, academic pathways, and global admission updates.

  • Explore comprehensive structural tips on budgeting, international health insurance requirements, and navigating student life abroad efficiently on StudentArrive Admissions Portal.

Securing the NL Scholarship requires careful preparation, strict adherence to institutional timelines, and a compelling personal narrative. Start your application early, align your documentation with Dutch academic values, and take a major step toward your international educational goals.

Related posts

Leave a Comment