NL Scholarship for International Students 2026 , Netherlands
The NL Scholarship (formerly known as the Holland Scholarship) is a government-supported scholarship designed for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the Netherlands.
Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science together with Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences, this scholarship helps reduce the financial burden of studying in one of Europe’s most popular study destinations.
Degree Level
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
Available Subjects
The NL Scholarship is available for a wide range of subjects, depending on the participating institution, including:
Engineering & Technology
Business & Management
Social Sciences
Natural & Life Sciences
Arts & Design
Agriculture & Environmental Studies
Theology & Philosophy
Note: Exact eligible programs and closing dates vary by institution.
Benefits
Successful applicants receive:
€5,000 financial grant
Paid during the first year of study
Can be combined with personal or family funding
Offered at top Dutch universities
This scholarship significantly lowers the initial cost of studying in the Netherlands.
Eligible Nationalities
All non-EEA international students
Students from the EU/EEA are not eligible for the NL Scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the NL Scholarship, applicants must:
Be a non-EEA international student
Apply for a full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s program
Meet the academic and admission requirements of the chosen institution
Not hold a degree from a Dutch institution
Comply with the integrity and conduct rules set by Nuffic
Participating Research Universities (2026–2027)
The following Dutch research universities are participating in the NL Scholarship:
Eindhoven University of Technology
Maastricht University
Radboud University
University of Groningen
University of Twente
Utrecht University
VU Amsterdam
Wageningen University & Research
Protestant Theological University
Theological University Apeldoorn
Utrecht Theological University
Participating Universities of Applied Sciences
Some participating universities of applied sciences include:
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Breda University of Applied Sciences
Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Hanze University of Applied Sciences
The Hague University of Applied Sciences
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Saxion University of Applied Sciences
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
(and many more)
The list changes every year, so always verify directly with your chosen university.
Application Procedure
Follow these steps to apply:
Choose a Dutch university participating in the NL Scholarship
Apply for admission to a Bachelor’s or Master’s program
Apply for the NL Scholarship through the same institution
Submit all required documents before the university’s deadline
Note: There is no central application portal for the NL Scholarship.
Application Deadline
Applications Open: 1 November
Deadline: Varies by institution
Note: Each university sets its own closing date—check the official website of your chosen institution.
Code of Conduct
All NL Scholarship recipients must comply with strict ethical standards. Activities involving fraud, financial misconduct, criminal organizations, or misuse of funds will result in disqualification or termination of the scholarship.
