The NL Scholarship 2026

Overview

The Holland Scholarship is a financial award funded jointly by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and participating Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. It is designed to attract talented students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to pursue a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme in the Netherlands.

The scholarship is offered through individual participating Dutch institutions, and each institution manages its own selection process and internal application timeline. The Holland Scholarship is not a full scholarship — rather, it is a one-time financial contribution intended to help offset costs in the first year of study, recognising the achievement of high-performing international students.

What’s Included?

The Holland Scholarship provides a single, one-time grant of €5,000, which is paid out in the first year of your studies. This financial contribution is intended to help cover part of the costs associated with studying in the Netherlands, such as living expenses, insurance, or initial set-up costs. It does not cover tuition fees directly.

Please note that the Holland Scholarship is not a full scholarship and does not cover all costs associated with studying in the Netherlands. Prospective students should plan their finances carefully, taking into account tuition fees, accommodation, health insurance, and other living expenses beyond the initial grant.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Holland Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a national from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Be applying to or accepted onto a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme at a participating Dutch research university or university of applied sciences
• Not have previously studied in the Netherlands
• Demonstrate strong academic performance and motivation

Each participating institution may have its own additional eligibility conditions and requirements. It is important to check the specific criteria for your chosen institution and programme.

How to Apply

The Holland Scholarship application is handled by individual Dutch institutions, not through a central portal. The process generally follows these steps:

• Identify participating Dutch research universities or universities of applied sciences that offer programmes you are interested in and that participate in the Holland Scholarship scheme
• Apply to your chosen programme directly through the institution’s admissions process
• Indicate your interest in the Holland Scholarship as part of your application, or apply separately through the institution’s scholarship portal
• Each institution has its own internal deadline, which is typically around February or May — confirm the deadline with your specific institution

Key Dates

Event	Date
Application Deadline	31 May 2026 (varies by institution — typically February or May)
Award	One-time grant of €5,000 in first year of study

Contact Information

For a list of participating institutions, eligible programmes, application requirements, and deadlines, visit the official Holland Scholarship website or contact the international admissions office of your chosen Dutch institution.

Official Website: https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/nl-scholarship