Master Mind Scholarships – Government of Flanders 2026

Overview

The Master Mind Scholarships are awarded by the Government of Flanders, Belgium, to attract outstanding international students to pursue Master’s degree programmes at Flemish universities. The programme is designed to strengthen Flanders as an international academic hub and to build academic excellence by welcoming talented students from around the world. Unlike many similar government scholarship programmes, Master Mind is open to students from all nationalities and countries, making it highly accessible to a global applicant pool.

The scholarship is administered through the nominating Flemish university, meaning that universities — rather than students — apply for and receive the scholarship funding, which they then pass on to selected candidates. This means that eligible students must be nominated by the Flemish institution at which they have been accepted or are applying for a Master’s programme.

What’s Included?

The Master Mind Scholarship provides partial financial support to cover key costs of studying in Flanders. Recipients receive a grant of up to approximately €7,500 per academic year, which is intended to offset living costs in Belgium. Additionally, the scholarship provides a significant reduction in tuition fees, capping them at a maximum of approximately €106 per year for Master’s programmes — a considerable saving compared to the standard tuition fees charged to international students. The exact amounts may vary slightly by institution and year, so candidates should check with their nominated university for the most current figures.

Eligibility

The Master Mind Scholarship is open to international students of all nationalities who are not Belgian or EU/EEA citizens, and who are not already residing in Belgium. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted into a full-time Master’s programme at an eligible Flemish university in Belgium. The scholarship is specifically intended for students who are newly enrolling in a Master’s programme or who are continuing students who have received the scholarship in a previous year and wish to renew it for the completion of their degree.

Because the scholarship is institution-administered, there is no central eligibility check. Each Flemish university sets its own internal selection criteria in addition to the standard requirements. Candidates should therefore review the specific requirements of their target university and Master’s programme. Some universities require students to apply for the scholarship at the same time as their programme admission application.

How to Apply

To apply for the Master Mind Scholarship, candidates must first secure admission to or apply for a Master’s programme at a Flemish university that participates in the Master Mind programme. The university — not the student — submits the formal scholarship application to the Government of Flanders on the student’s behalf. Students should therefore contact the international office or admissions team at their desired Flemish university to inquire about the Master Mind scholarship and how to be considered.

Each participating university will have its own internal deadline and nomination process. Prospective students are encouraged to apply early to their preferred programme and to clearly express interest in being nominated for the Master Mind Scholarship. A strong academic record and a compelling application will improve the student’s chances of being selected for nomination.

Key Dates

Event	Date
University Nomination Deadline	April 30, 2026 (indicative; varies by university)
Government of Flanders Decision	June 2026
Programme Start Date	September/October 2026

Contact Information

For more information about the Master Mind Scholarships, visit the Official Website. For institution-specific requirements and nomination procedures, contact the international office of your target Flemish university directly. A list of participating institutions can also be found on the official Master Mind website.