Netherlands Launches Major Scholarship Push for 2025: Big Grants for Master’s Students

If you’ve ever dreamt of studying in the Netherlands while cycling your way to class with a warm stroopwafel in hand, the NL Scholarship might be your golden ticket. This scholarship was earlier known as the Holland Scholarship, but it has returned with a simpler name and the same goal. It’s here to support ambitious international students who want to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of Europe’s most student-friendly countries.

And if you’re someone who has spent weeks googling “scholarships in the Netherlands,” let me save you some time. This one is worth paying attention to.

What Exactly Is the NL Scholarship

The NL Scholarship is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science along with several Dutch universities. Think of it as a friendly welcome gift from the Dutch education system. You get five thousand euros in your first year when you join a participating Dutch university for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree. It is not a full scholarship and it will not magically cover all your tuition, but it is definitely a solid financial boost that makes the first year easier.

Who Can Apply

The eligibility list is clear and simple. Here is the short version.

• You must not be from the European Economic Area.
• You must be applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at a participating Dutch university.
• You must meet the specific program requirements of your chosen university.
• You must not already hold a degree from a Dutch institution.

A Note on the Code of Conduct

The NL Scholarship is managed by Nuffic, and they take ethics very seriously. Their Code of Conduct rules out any involvement with activities that include financial misconduct, tax issues, fraud, links to criminal organisations, or anything even remotely shady. So the scholarship is for students who maintain integrity, professionalism, and good behaviour during the process.

Nothing complicated here. Just be a responsible adult.

Where Can You Study

The list of participating universities changes every year, and the 2026 to 2027 list is impressively long. There are two broad categories.

Participating Research Universities

Some of the well known names include Eindhoven University of Technology, Maastricht University, Radboud University, University of Groningen, University of Twente, Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, and Wageningen University and Research.

Participating Universities of Applied Sciences

This list includes Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Design Academy Eindhoven, Fontys, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Hanze, Hotelschool The Hague, HKU, HU, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Saxion, and many more.

No matter what you want to study, chances are high that at least one participating institution will offer it.

Official link

When to Apply

Applications for the 2026 to 2027 academic year opened on 1 November 2025. The catch is that each university sets its own deadline. So instead of hunting for a single date, you need to check the website of the specific university you plan to apply to.

Tip: Dutch universities love being organised, so their deadlines are easy to find. Just look for “NL Scholarship” on their scholarship or admissions page.

What You Actually Get

The scholarship gives you € 5,000. This amount is deposited in your first year after you begin your studies. It is not tuition free or fully funded, but it significantly lightens the load of settling into a new country.

How to Apply Without Getting Confused

Here is the simple sequence most students follow.

• Choose a Dutch institution that participates in the NL Scholarship.
• Check the eligibility and specific program requirements on the university’s official website.
• Submit your application for the full-time bachelor’s or master’s program.
• Indicate your interest in the NL Scholarship in your application form or through the method mentioned by that university.
• Wait for the decision once the university processes your application.

Universities handle the selection, so your chances depend entirely on the quality of your application.

Final Thoughts

The NL Scholarship is one of those rare opportunities that is easy to understand, easy to apply for, and genuinely useful. It does not require essays about saving the planet or setting your childhood dreams on fire. If you are academically prepared and meet the criteria, you can absolutely compete.

Five thousand euros may not sound like a life changing amount, but when you convert it to INR, it becomes a reliable cushion that helps you cover your first few months of rent, groceries, or academic materials.

If studying in the Netherlands has been on your mind, this scholarship is a great starting point. Start with checking which universities match your goals, mark the deadlines, and prepare your application early. The opportunity is real. The process is clear. And a Dutch education might be closer than you think.