MastersFully Funded: Covers tuition fees, international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance.

Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen

Last verified 8 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The Eric Bleumink Fund at the University of Groningen offers fully funded Master's scholarships to talented students from developing countries. Applicants must secure admission to a Master's program by December 1st and meet stringent academic and personal criteria to be nominated for this prestigious award. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living costs, books, and health insurance for 1 or 2-year programs starting in September. Direct applications are not accepted; candidates are nominated by the University based on their Master's application and eligibility.

Provider: University of Groningen
Host country: Netherlands
Deadline: 1 December (annual) for Master's program application
Region: Africa

Official source

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen is open to African students applying to study in Netherlands at the Masters level, with fully funded: covers tuition fees, international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance. funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters · applicants for Netherlands
Funding: Fully Funded: Covers tuition fees, international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance.
Study level: Masters
Deadline: 1 December (annual) for Master's program application

Key eligibility criteria

Candidates must have received provisional or unconditional admission for a master programme at the University of Groningen before February. They must demonstrate excellent academic performance, confirmed by letters of recommendation and excellent undergraduate grades. Excellent English language proficiency, aligned with program requirements, is also necessary. Applicants must be available for the entire program duration, be in good health, and hold the nationality of an eligible country (listed in Appendix 1). Crucially, they must not have any other means of financing their studies. The scholarship is for 1-year or 2-year Master’s degree programmes starting in September only.

What the fully funded: covers tuition fees, international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance. award covers

Return airfare
Health insurance
Books & materials

About the Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen (2026)

# Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen: Scholarship Brief ## Overview The Eric Bleumink Fund (EBF) at the University of Groningen offers prestigious scholarships to talented students from developing countries who wish to pursue a Master’s degree. This fully funded scholarship aims to support individuals who demonstrate excellent academic potential but lack the financial means to study in the Netherlands. The fund covers essential costs, allowing recipients to focus entirely on their studies and contribute to their home countries upon graduation. The selection process is highly competitive, with a limited number of grants awarded each year to candidates who meet rigorous academic and personal criteria. ## Benefits The Eric Bleumink Fellowship is a fully funded scholarship designed to alleviate the financial burden on international students. Recipients will benefit from comprehensive financial coverage that includes their tuition fees for the Master's program. Beyond tuition, the scholarship also covers the costs of international travel, ensuring that students can reach the Netherlands without financial strain. Furthermore, it provides subsistence allowances to cover living expenses, funding for essential books and study materials, and health insurance to ensure well-being during their stay. The grant is specifically awarded for 1-year or 2-year Master’s degree programs that commence in September. ## Eligibility To be considered for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship, candidates must meet several strict criteria. Applicants must first have received provisional or unconditional admission to a Master’s program at the University of Groningen *before February* of the application year. Essential requirements include demonstrating excellent academic performance, substantiated by strong grades from their undergraduate studies and preferably confirmed by letters of recommendation. Proficiency in English is also mandatory, aligning with the specific admission requirements of their chosen Master's program. Candidates must be available to participate in the entire program for its full duration, be in good health to arrange health insurance in the Netherlands, and hold the nationality of one of the countries listed in Appendix 1 (which includes a wide range of developing countries). Crucially, applicants must not possess any other financial means to fund their studies. ## Required Documents The official page does not explicitly list "required documents" for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship application itself, as candidates cannot actively apply for the scholarship. Instead, candidates are nominated by the University of Groningen's Admission Office. However, to be *considered* for nomination, applicants must first complete their Master's program application to the University of Groningen by December 1st. This Master's application will require all standard documents for university admission, which typically include academic transcripts, proof of English language proficiency, letters of recommendation, a CV, and a motivation letter. Meeting these admission requirements and securing an offer of admission before February is the prerequisite for being considered for the scholarship. ## How to Apply It is important to note that direct applications for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship are not accepted. Instead, the selection process is nomination-based. Prospective candidates must first apply and gain admission to a Master's program at the University of Groningen. The crucial first step is to complete and submit their Master's program application *before December 1st*. Only applicants who receive a provisional or unconditional admission offer for a Master's program *before February* will then be considered for nomination for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship. The University of Groningen's Admission Office, in collaboration with the Admission Boards of its faculties, will identify and nominate suitable candidates from the pool of admitted students. Nominated candidates will then be informed about their selection. ## Key Dates The primary deadline for aspiring Eric Bleumink Fellowship candidates is **December 1st (annual)**. This is the absolute deadline by which applicants must have completed their Master's program application to the University of Groningen to be considered for scholarship nomination. While there isn't an "application deadline" for the scholarship itself, missing the December 1st deadline for Master's admission will disqualify candidates from scholarship consideration for that cycle. Subsequently, candidates who have received a provisional or unconditional admission offer for a Master's program *before February* will then be evaluated for the fellowship. The grant is awarded for programs *starting in September only*. ## Selection Criteria Selection for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship is highly competitive and based on several key criteria. Primarily, candidates must have received provisional or unconditional admission to a Master's program at the University of Groningen *before February*. Academic excellence is paramount, evidenced by excellent grades during their bachelor/undergraduate studies, and preferably substantiated by strong letters of recommendation. Excellent English language proficiency, meeting the specific requirements of their chosen Master's program, is also a critical factor. Furthermore, candidates must be able to commit to and participate in the entire duration of their chosen program, be in good health, and hold the nationality of one of the eligible developing countries. A significant criterion is the absence of any other financial means to fund their studies, ensuring the scholarship reaches those with genuine financial need. The University's Admission Office, in consultation with faculty Admission Boards, makes the final nomination decisions. ## Tips Prospective applicants should prioritize securing admission to a Master's program at the University of Groningen well in advance of the deadline. Aim to submit your Master's application *long before December 1st* to allow ample time for processing and to receive an admission offer before February. Focus on demonstrating exceptional academic performance throughout your undergraduate studies, as this is a core selection criterion. Ensure your letters of recommendation highlight your academic strengths and potential. Pay close attention to the English language proficiency requirements for your chosen Master's program and prepare thoroughly for any language tests. Verify that your country of origin is included in the list of eligible countries. Most importantly, ensure you meet all the admission requirements for your desired Master's program, as this is the gateway to being considered for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen scholarship, prospective applicants should always refer to the official source. The official webpage provides comprehensive details about the fellowship, eligibility requirements, and the selection process. All applicants are strongly encouraged to consult this page regularly for any updates or changes. The official URL for this scholarship is: [https://www.rug.nl/education/scholarships/eric-bleumink-fund](https://www.rug.nl/education/scholarships/eric-bleumink-fund). Additional information regarding applying for the grant can also be found at [https://www.rug.nl/alumni/support-research-and-education/scholarships-and-awards/eric-bleumink-fund/applying-for-a-grant](https://www.rug.nl/alumni/support-research-and-education/scholarships-and-awards/eric-bleumink-fund/applying-for-a-grant) and [https://uef.nl/projecten/ebf](https://uef.nl/projecten/ebf).

What the Fully Funded: Covers tuition fees, international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance. Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Return airfare
Health insurance
Books & materials

Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen eligibility for Netherlands applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Candidates must have received provisional or unconditional admission for a master programme at the University of Groningen before February. They must demonstrate excellent academic performance, confirmed by letters of recommendation and excellent undergraduate grades. Excellent English language proficiency, aligned with program requirements, is also necessary. Applicants must be available for the entire program duration, be in good health, and hold the nationality of an eligible country (listed in Appendix 1). Crucially, they must not have any other means of financing their studies. The scholarship is for 1-year or 2-year Master’s degree programmes starting in September only.

Documents required for the Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.rug.nl/education/scholarships/eric-bleumink-fund and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Candidates must have received provisional or unconditional admission for a master programme at the University of Groningen before February. They must demonstrate excellent academic performance, confirmed by letters of re…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.rug.nl/education/scholarships/eric-bleumink-fund, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by 1 December (annual) for Master's program application (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, University of Groningen will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by University of Groningen, and be able to relocate to Netherlands for the duration of the programme.

Is the Eric Bleumink Fund — University of Groningen fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded: Covers tuition fees, international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance.. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is 1 December (annual) for Master's program application. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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