{"id":61394,"date":"2024-07-03T04:39:14","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T04:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.leapscholar.com\/blog\/?p=61394"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:51:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:51:31","slug":"scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Scholarships in Netherlands for Indian Students"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">11<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"quick-read-box\">\n\n  <div class=\"qr-header\">\n    <span style=\"font-size:18px;\">\u26a1<\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"qr-title\">Quick Read<\/h3>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>The NL Scholarship gives Rs. 4.5 lakh (EUR 5,000) as a one-time first-year grant.<\/li>\n\n    <li>Maastricht NL-High Potential and Groningen Excellence are the only fully funded options for Indian students.<\/li>\n\n    <li>Scholarship deadlines for the September 2026 intake ran January to April 2026; plan for 2027 cycle now.<\/li>\n\n    <li>The Orange Tulip Scholarship was permanently discontinued in 2024 and is no longer accepting applications.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <div class=\"qr-footer\">\n    \ud83d\udc49 Best for: Indian students applying to Dutch universities for the September 2026 intake\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This article tells you which scholarships in Netherlands are actually open for 2026\u201327, what each one of them realistically covers, which one suits your profile, and what to do when your result gets delayed or you miss a deadline. For context on total costs and universities, read our guide on<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-netherlands-cost-universities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-netherlands-cost-universities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study in Netherlands for Indian students<\/a> alongside this.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Content<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students\/#Scholarships_in_Netherlands_for_Indian_Students_Full_2026%E2%80%9327_List\" title=\"Scholarships in Netherlands for Indian Students: Full 2026\u201327 List\">Scholarships in Netherlands for Indian Students: Full 2026\u201327 List<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students\/#How_Much_Do_Scholarships_in_Netherlands_Actually_Pay_Indian_Students\" title=\"How Much Do Scholarships in Netherlands Actually Pay Indian Students?\">How Much Do Scholarships in Netherlands Actually Pay Indian Students?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students\/#Which_Scholarship_in_Netherlands_Is_Right_for_Your_Profile\" title=\"Which Scholarship in Netherlands Is Right for Your Profile?\">Which Scholarship in Netherlands Is Right for Your Profile?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students\/#Documents_Required_for_Netherlands_Scholarships_India-Specific_Checklist\" title=\"Documents Required for Netherlands Scholarships: India-Specific Checklist\">Documents Required for Netherlands Scholarships: India-Specific Checklist<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students\/#Netherlands_Scholarship_Deadlines_2026_Month-by-Month_Timeline_for_Indian_Students\" title=\"Netherlands Scholarship Deadlines 2026: Month-by-Month Timeline for Indian Students\">Netherlands Scholarship Deadlines 2026: Month-by-Month Timeline for Indian Students<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students\/#Missed_a_Netherlands_Scholarship_Deadline_Here_Is_What_to_Do\" title=\"Missed a Netherlands Scholarship Deadline? Here Is What to Do\">Missed a Netherlands Scholarship Deadline? Here Is What to Do<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students\/#Conclusion_How_to_Start_Your_Netherlands_Scholarship_Application_This_Week\" title=\"Conclusion: How to Start Your Netherlands Scholarship Application This Week\">Conclusion: How to Start Your Netherlands Scholarship Application This Week<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/scholarships-in-netherlands-for-indian-students\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scholarships_in_Netherlands_for_Indian_Students_Full_2026%E2%80%9327_List\"><\/span><strong>Scholarships in Netherlands for Indian Students: Full 2026\u201327 List<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Quick note on the table below. &#8220;Partial&#8221; means you still have a tuition gap to fill. &#8220;Full&#8221; means tuition and sometimes living costs are covered, but at most of these, we are talking about 5 to 15 seats per intake, not 500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Scholarship<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Funding<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Award Value<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Level<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Deadline (approx.)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.studyinnl.org\/finances\/nl-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NL Scholarship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Partial<\/td><td>Rs.4.54L (EUR 5,000) one-time<\/td><td>Bachelor&#8217;s \/ Master&#8217;s<\/td><td>Nov\u2013Apr (varies by university)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maastrichtuniversity.nl\/studeren\/toelating-inschrijving\/financing-your-studies\/scholarships\/maastricht-university-nl-high\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maastricht NL-High Potential<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Full<\/td><td>Up to Rs.30L+ (EUR 34,000) per year<\/td><td>Master&#8217;s<\/td><td>1 Feb 2026<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ru.nl\/en\/education\/scholarships\/radboud-scholarship-programme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Radboud Scholarship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Partial<\/td><td>Tuition down to ~Rs.2.45L (EUR 2,695) + insurance + visa<\/td><td>Master&#8217;s<\/td><td>31 Jan 2026<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uu.nl\/en\/masters\/general-information\/application-and-admission\/scholarships-and-grants\/utrecht-excellence-scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Utrecht Excellence Scholarship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Partial or Full<\/td><td>Rs.5.4L\u2013Rs.10.8L (EUR 6,000\u201312,000) or full tuition and living<\/td><td>Master&#8217;s<\/td><td>Jan\u2013Feb (varies by program)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universiteitleiden.nl\/en\/scholarships\/sea\/leiden-university-excellence-scholarship-lexs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leiden LExS<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Partial or Full<\/td><td>Rs.9L \/ Rs.13.6L \/ full fees (EUR 10,000 \/ 15,000 \/ full)<\/td><td>Master&#8217;s<\/td><td>1 Feb (Sept start)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utwente.nl\/en\/education\/scholarship-finder\/university-of-twente-scholarship\/#applicationrequirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Twente Scholarship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Partial<\/td><td>Rs.4.5L\u2013Rs.7.2L (EUR 5,000\u20138,000)\/year<\/td><td>Master&#8217;s<\/td><td>Two rounds: Feb and Apr<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uva.nl\/en\/education\/fees-and-funding\/bachelors-scholarships-and-loans\/amsterdam-merit-scholarship\/amsterdam-merit-scholarship.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amsterdam Merit Scholarship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Partial or Full<\/td><td>Rs.1.8L\u2013Rs.22.7L (EUR 2,000\u201325,000) by faculty<\/td><td>Bachelor&#8217;s \/ Master&#8217;s<\/td><td>Varies; often 15 Jan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu\/opportunities\/opportunities-for-individuals\/students\/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Erasmus Mundus (EMJMD)<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Full<\/td><td>Rs.9L\u2013Rs.16.2L (EUR 10,000\u201318,000)\/year + travel + insurance<\/td><td>Master&#8217;s (joint EU)<\/td><td>program-specific; Nov\u2013Jan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rug.nl\/education\/master\/international-students\/financial-matters\/holland-scholarship\/?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Groningen Excellence Scholarship<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Full<\/td><td>Full tuition + Rs.8.1L (EUR 9,000) stipend\/year<\/td><td>Master&#8217;s<\/td><td>Jan\u2013Mar (varies)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/inlaksfoundation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/td><td>Full<\/td><td>Up to Rs.45L (approx. USD 55,000 equivalent)<\/td><td>Master&#8217;s (worldwide, incl. NL)<\/td><td>Opens Jan\u2013Feb each year<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Exchange rate:<\/em><\/strong><em> Rs.90 per EUR. Verify the current rate before making any financial decisions.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A word on the NL Scholarship specifically:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nuffic.nl\/en\/subjects\/scholarships\/nl-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nuffic<\/a> runs it alongside 47 Dutch institutions and hands out 2,112 awards per year across every non-EEA country, not just India. That pool is large. Students who apply in the first two weeks after portals open, with motivation letters that actually speak to the university&#8217;s priorities, consistently have better outcomes than those who submit a generic application in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For universities offering these scholarships, see<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/best-universities-in-netherlands-for-masters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/best-universities-in-netherlands-for-masters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">best universities in Netherlands for Masters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Do_Scholarships_in_Netherlands_Actually_Pay_Indian_Students\"><\/span><strong>How Much Do Scholarships in Netherlands Actually Pay Indian Students?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Annual tuition for non-EU students at Dutch research universities ranges from Rs. 5.4L to Rs. 16.2L (EUR 6,000\u201318,000). Monthly living in Amsterdam or Delft, rent, groceries, transport, and insurance come to roughly Rs.90,000\u2013Rs.130,000 (EUR 1,000\u20131,450). Add that up and you are looking at Rs.16L\u2013Rs.32L a year, minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The NL Scholarship&#8217;s Rs.4.54L is roughly 25\u201350% of one year&#8217;s tuition at most universities. It does not touch living costs. It reduces your loan burden; it does not eliminate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maastricht NL-High Potential, Groningen Excellence, and a handful of Erasmus Mundus programs are the only scholarships on this list that can honestly be called fully funded. The seats are few. Plan for partial funding, and if full funding comes through, great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>All INR figures use Rs.90 per EUR. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Scholarship_in_Netherlands_Is_Right_for_Your_Profile\"><\/span><strong>Which Scholarship in Netherlands Is Right for Your Profile?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Applying to every scholarship you technically qualify for is not a strategy. Each application needs a tailored motivation letter, and those take time. Pick 2\u20133 that fit your profile and do those properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you are a final-year B.Tech. student graduating May\u2013June 2026, with a CGPA above 8.5, from a Tier 1 or Tier 2 engineering college<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look at the NL Scholarship at TU Delft or the University of Twente first. If you are applying to a 2-year MSc, the Justus and Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship at TU Delft is worth your attention too. One thing to keep in mind: TU Delft runs rolling admission. M.Sc. programs in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering start filling in October\u2013November. If you apply in January and scholarship funding is already allocated, you may still get admission but miss the funding round entirely. Submit your TU Delft or UT application by October 2025. Details on program requirements are at<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/ms-in-netherlands-universities-cost-and-requirements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/ms-in-netherlands-universities-cost-and-requirements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MS in Netherlands: universities, costs, and requirements<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you are a working professional with 3\u20135 years of experience and a CGPA 7.5\u20138.0, looking at MSc Management, Data Science, or Sustainability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maastricht NL-High Potential and the Radboud Scholarship both factor in professional experience and motivation, not just academic scores. The motivation letter is the key factor that determines the success of these applications. Dutch committees at this level seek a specific response: what precise problem are you aiming to address, and why is this degree the appropriate tool for it? &#8220;I want to grow professionally&#8221; does not get you through. If your CGPA is under 7.5, shortlist Groningen or Maastricht rather than TU Delft or Utrecht; the applicant pool is more varied, and a strong SOP and work history carry more weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you have a first-class postgraduate degree in humanities, social sciences, or law, and you are under 30<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship is specifically for Indian nationals in non-engineering, non-CS, non-business, and non-medicine fields. It covers costs at top universities worldwide, the Netherlands included. Separately, the Leiden LExS is strong if Leiden is your target; they rank well in law, international relations, and social sciences. Full breakdown at<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/leiden-university-excellence-scholarship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/leiden-university-excellence-scholarship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leiden University Excellence Scholarship<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Documents_Required_for_Netherlands_Scholarships_India-Specific_Checklist\"><\/span><strong>Documents Required for Netherlands Scholarships: India-Specific Checklist<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Core eligibility is the same across most Dutch scholarships: a non-EU\/EEA passport, a decent academic record, and an active application to a qualifying program. What catches people out is the India-specific paperwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Document<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Requirement<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>What Indian Students Need to Know<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Academic transcripts<\/td><td>Official records for all years<\/td><td>Semester-wise marksheets, not just a consolidated transcript. Get university-attested copies.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Degree certificate<\/td><td>Proof of completed degree<\/td><td>Dutch universities and IND accept a provisional certificate on university letterhead with the registrar&#8217;s signature if you have not yet received your final degree.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>English proficiency<\/td><td>IELTS 6.5+ overall (6.0 per band); TOEFL iBT 90+ also accepted at some universities<\/td><td>If your degree is in English, some universities offer a waiver. Check the program page specifically, not just the scholarship page.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>SOP or Motivation Letter<\/td><td>500\u20131,000 words (varies)<\/td><td>Cover three things: the problem you are solving, why this program, and what you do with the degree in 5 years. One generic letter reused across 6 applications will not work.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Letters of Recommendation<\/td><td>2 references<\/td><td>Thesis supervisors are the strongest choice. One professional reference is allowed at some universities if you have relevant work experience.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>CV<\/td><td>Academic and professional background<\/td><td>Dutch universities look for practical applicability. Include research projects, publications, and relevant internships.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Passport copy<\/td><td>Valid beyond program end date<\/td><td>Renew it before applying if it expires mid-program. Indian consulates for visas are in Amsterdam and The Hague.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Admission offer letter<\/td><td>Confirmation of acceptance<\/td><td>Apply to the university first. Most scholarships only kick in once your university application is received.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Financial documents<\/td><td>Bank statements for an IND visa<\/td><td>A scholarship award letter substitutes once you have funding. Until then, IND wants proof that you can cover the full study period.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Counsellor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> The provisional certificate is the document that causes the most trouble for Indian applicants. If you are in your final year, email your examination section in March or April, not August. Ask for a provisional degree certificate on university letterhead with the registrar&#8217;s stamp, and get several certified copies. Students who wait until August, when Indian university offices slow down, often miss the deadlines for Dutch scholarship confirmation. Dutch universities deal with Indian applicants routinely, and they know what a provisional certificate is. It will not hold your application back if you have it ready.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For IELTS support, see<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/ielts\/preparation-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/ielts\/preparation-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IELTS preparation online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Netherlands_Scholarship_Deadlines_2026_Month-by-Month_Timeline_for_Indian_Students\"><\/span><strong>Netherlands Scholarship Deadlines 2026: Month-by-Month Timeline for Indian Students<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is for the September 2026 intake. If you are in early 2026 and some of these months have passed, jump to the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Month<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>What to Do<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>July\u2013Aug 2025<\/td><td>Shortlist 3\u20135 universities. Check which scholarships each one offers for your program.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>September 2025<\/td><td>Ask professors for LORs. Eight weeks minimum; do not wait until November.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>October 2025<\/td><td>Take IELTS if not done. Please ensure the score is available by November. Start your SOP draft.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>November 2025<\/td><td>Scholarship portals open at most Dutch universities. Per<a href=\"https:\/\/www.studyinnl.org\/finances\/nl-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.studyinnl.org\/finances\/nl-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nuffic<\/a>, NL Scholarship applications open 1 November. Submit first university applications now.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>December 2025<\/td><td>Apply to Leiden (LExS: 1 Feb deadline), Maastricht (1 Feb 2026), and Radboud (31 Jan 2026). Request a provisional certificate from your Indian university.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>January 2026<\/td><td>Submit remaining applications. The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship deadline often falls on 15 Jan. Check UT Round 1.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>February 2026<\/td><td>Maastricht and Radboud deadlines close. Confirm everything is submitted. Follow up on LORs that have not been sent.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>March\u2013April 2026<\/td><td>NL Scholarship closes at most universities. UT Round 2 closes.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>April\u2013June 2026<\/td><td>Results come in. Accept your scholarship offer and begin the IND visa process.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>June\u2013Aug 2026<\/td><td>IND residence permit application. Allow 8\u201312 weeks for processing.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>September 2026<\/td><td>The program starts.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Counsellor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Rolling admissions for Dutch MSc programs are not a myth. Some TU Delft and University of Amsterdam programs fill in the first 4\u20136 weeks after opening. Scholarship consideration at many universities only applies to applicants who are admitted before an internal scholarship deadline, which sits 4\u20136 weeks before the general application deadline. If you apply in late January because the portal technically still shows &#8220;open,&#8221; the scholarship pool may already be allocated.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Missed_a_Netherlands_Scholarship_Deadline_Here_Is_What_to_Do\"><\/span><strong>Missed a Netherlands Scholarship Deadline? Here Is What to Do<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You missed the scholarship deadline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, check whether a second round exists. The University of Twente runs two per year. The NL Scholarship window runs from November to April and varies by institution; missing one university&#8217;s deadline does not close the program everywhere. If all publicly listed deadlines have passed, call or email the university&#8217;s international financial aid office directly. Some discretionary funding never appears on the public scholarship page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Your results are delayed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Submit your provisional certificate. Dutch universities accept it, it is routine. Put it on official letterhead with the registrar&#8217;s signature and seal. Email the admissions office, tell them your result date, and attach a letter from your Indian university confirming the expected timeline. Follow up with the final marksheet the day it is issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>IELTS score came back below the requirement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are 0.5 short in one band, some Dutch universities offer conditional admission pending a retest. IELTS allows a retest after 5 days. Groningen and Maastricht tend to be more flexible than TU Delft or Utrecht when the rest of your profile is strong. Look for the conditional admission policy on your specific program page; not all universities publish this prominently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>IND visa is running late<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not contact IND directly. Your university is the recognized sponsor and the correct channel. Get in touch with your university&#8217;s international student services office early. They have an established process for following up with IND and will do it through the right route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion_How_to_Start_Your_Netherlands_Scholarship_Application_This_Week\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion: How to Start Your Netherlands Scholarship Application This Week<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> Go through the comparison table and pick 2\u20133 scholarships that match your degree level and CGPA. Apply to each with a tailored motivation letter, generic applications are consistently screened out at Dutch universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> Start your university application before your scholarship application. Admission comes first at nearly every Dutch university. Your scholarship consideration does not begin until the university has your application in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> Get your India-specific documents together now. Semester-wise marksheets, a provisional certificate if you are in your final year, and a confirmed IELTS score. Waiting until January, when scholarship deadlines are running, costs students 4\u20136 weeks they do not have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<ul class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735086163\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How to get a scholarship in Netherlands for Indian students?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (now Erasmus+)<br \/>This fully funded scholarship is available for Indian students who want to study in a joint master&#8217;s program offered by a consortium of European universities, including Dutch universities. Every year, we update the list of sponsored master&#8217;s and joint master&#8217;s degrees.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735097314\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can I study in the Netherlands for free?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Education in the Netherlands is not generally free, but it is heavily subsidized and affordable compared to many countries. Primary and secondary education is free at public schools, but higher education (universities\/applied sciences) requires tuition fees. Costs are significantly higher for non-EU\/EEA students.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735117525\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is IELTS compulsory for the Netherlands?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, IELTS is generally required for studying in the Netherlands to prove English proficiency for student visas and university admissions. A minimum overall score of 6.0 is commonly required for bachelor&#8217;s and master&#8217;s, with higher scores often needed (e.g., 7.0) at research universities.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735138471\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is the Orange Tulip Scholarship still available for Indian students in 2026?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Orange Tulip Scholarship ended in 2024 and is not accepting new applications. According to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gyandhan.com\/scholarships\/orange-tulip-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> GyanDhan<\/a>, the program has been permanently discontinued. Any listing showing OTS as an active 2026 scholarship is outdated. Indian students who previously planned to apply for OTS should redirect to the NL Scholarship, Maastricht NL-High Potential Scholarship, or university-specific awards at Radboud, Utrecht, or Leiden.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735173794\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can I apply for a scholarship in Netherlands without a university admission letter?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p> Most Dutch scholarships require you to apply to the university first, and your scholarship consideration begins once the university receives your application. To begin the scholarship process, you usually don&#8217;t need a final admission offer, but you do need to have applied to universities. For the Maastricht NL-High Potential Scholarship, you apply for the program and the scholarship together in one application cycle. Check the specific instructions on your target university&#8217;s scholarship page.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735193957\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can I apply for multiple scholarships in Netherlands at the same time?<\/strong> <\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>You can apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously, provided you meet each one&#8217;s eligibility criteria. Most programs don&#8217;t let you combine scholarships, so you&#8217;ll have to accept one and decline the others. Applying to 2\u20133 scholarships that fit your profile is a reasonable strategy. Applying to 8 scholarships with generic applications and no tailoring is a waste of time and reduces the quality of each application.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735203156\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What should I do if I miss the scholarship deadline for my chosen university?<\/strong> <\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>First, check whether the university has a second scholarship round; the University of Twente, for instance, runs two rounds. Second, check whether other participating universities for the same scholarship (such as the NL Scholarship) still have open deadlines; the window varies by institution from November through April. Third, contact the university&#8217;s international student financial aid office directly; some discretionary funding is not publicly listed. If all scholarship options are closed for this intake, consider whether applying for the following intake with a well-prepared application is more strategic than rushing a current application.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735221604\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How competitive are the scholarships in Netherlands for Indian students?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p> The NL Scholarship distributes<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nuffic.nl\/en\/subjects\/scholarships\/nl-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> 2,112 awards per year<\/a> across all non-EEA nationalities and dozens of universities, making competition real but not impossible. University-specific scholarships are significantly more competitive: the Maastricht NL-High Potential Scholarship awards a small number of seats per intake, and the Leiden LExS is similarly selective. Indian applicants are a significant share of the non-EEA applicant pool. A strong CGPA alone is not enough to secure a scholarship; the motivation letter, program fit, and early application timing matter equally.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735230951\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the NL Scholarship, and how much does it cover?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p> The NL Scholarship, previously called the Holland Scholarship, is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science together with<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nuffic.nl\/en\/subjects\/scholarships\/nl-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> 47 Dutch higher education institutions<\/a>. It offers Rs.4.54 lakh (EUR 5,000) as a one-time payment in the first year of study. It is not a full tuition scholarship \u2014 it covers part of your first-year fees. You must be a non-EEA national applying to a full-time bachelor&#8217;s or master&#8217;s programme at a participating institution.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1775735264625\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is<strong> the Orange Tulip Scholarship still available for Indian students in 2026?<\/strong> <\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\">The<\/span> Orange Tulip Scholarship ended in 2024 and is not accepting new applications. According to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gyandhan.com\/scholarships\/orange-tulip-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> GyanDhan<\/a>, the programme has been permanently discontinued. Any listing showing OTS as an active 2026 scholarship is outdated. Indian students who previously planned to apply for OTS should redirect to the NL Scholarship, Maastricht NL-High Potential Scholarship, or university-specific awards at Radboud, Utrecht, or Leiden.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Explore More<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/study-in-netherlands-cost-universities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Study in Netherlands for Indian Students: Universities, Scholarships &amp; Master Degrees<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/best-universities-in-netherlands-for-masters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Best Universities in Netherlands for Masters: Complete List<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/ms-in-netherlands-universities-cost-and-requirements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MS in Netherlands: Universities, Cost and Requirements<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/leiden-university-excellence-scholarship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leiden University Excellence Scholarship<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/ielts\/preparation-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IELTS Preparation Online<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Verified by:<\/strong> LeapScholar&#8217;s Europe and Netherlands counselling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through Dutch university admissions, scholarship applications, and IND visa processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have questions about Netherlands scholarships or which program suits your profile?<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/webflow_progressive_form?utm_source=Counselling_SEO&amp;utm_medium=Blogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/webflow_progressive_form?utm_source=Counselling_SEO&amp;utm_medium=Blogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Book a free session with a LeapScholar counsellor.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">11<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span> \u26a1 Quick Read The NL Scholarship gives Rs. 4.5 lakh (EUR 5,000) as a one-time first-year grant. Maastricht NL-High Potential and Groningen Excellence are the only fully funded options for Indian students. Scholarship deadlines for the September 2026 intake ran January to April 2026; plan for 2027 cycle now. The Orange Tulip Scholarship was permanently [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":61457,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61394"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61394"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61394\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77297,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61394\/revisions\/77297"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}