Bachelors, MastersEUR 5,000 in the first year of study (not a full tuition scholarship)

NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship)

Last verified 19 October 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The Netherlands' national partial scholarship: EUR 5,000 in the first year for non-EEA bachelor's and master's students, applied for through each participating Dutch institution.

Provider: Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science with Dutch universities
Host country: Netherlands
Deadline: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake
Region: Europe

Official source Track this application

Topics

Master's scholarships

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: Non-EEA nationals, including all African countries, applying for a full-time bachelor's or master's at a participating Dutch university or university of applied sciences. Apply through the institution, not centrally.
Funding: EUR 5,000 in the first year of study (not a full tuition scholarship)
Study level: Bachelors, Masters
Deadline: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake

Key eligibility criteria

Non-EEA nationals, including all African countries, applying for a full-time bachelor's or master's at a participating Dutch university or university of applied sciences. Apply through the institution, not centrally.

About the NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) (2026)

## Overview The NL Scholarship, previously known as the Holland Scholarship, is a prestigious award designed to attract talented international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to pursue higher education in the Netherlands. This scholarship is a joint initiative, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, as well as a consortium of Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. It provides a significant financial contribution to students embarking on either a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program. ## Benefits The NL Scholarship offers a one-time award of €5,000. This amount is disbursed during the first year of your studies. It is important to note that this is a partial scholarship, intended to help offset the costs of tuition and living expenses, rather than covering them in full. ## Eligibility To be considered for the NL Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: * **Nationality:** You must hold a nationality from a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA). * **Program Type:** You must be applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at one of the Dutch higher education institutions participating in the NL Scholarship program. * **Institutional Requirements:** You must satisfy all specific admission and academic requirements set by the chosen Dutch institution. These requirements can be found on the respective university's website. * **Prior Education:** You should not have obtained a degree from an educational institution in the Netherlands previously. ## Required Documents The official website does not explicitly list required documents for the NL Scholarship itself, as the application process is managed by the individual universities. However, prospective students should prepare standard application documents typically required for university admissions in the Netherlands, which may include: * Academic transcripts and diplomas * Proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL scores) * Motivation letter * Curriculum Vitae (CV) * Letters of recommendation * A valid passport It is crucial to consult the website of your chosen participating institution for their specific application requirements and a comprehensive list of necessary documents. ## How to Apply The application process for the NL Scholarship is integrated with your application to a participating Dutch higher education institution. Here's a general outline: 1. **Choose a Program and Institution:** Identify a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences that participates in the NL Scholarship program. 2. **Check Institutional Requirements:** Visit the website of your chosen institution to understand their specific admission criteria, application procedures, and any additional requirements for the NL Scholarship. 3. **Submit Your Application:** Follow the institution’s guidelines to submit your application for admission to your desired program. During this process, you will typically indicate your interest in applying for the NL Scholarship. 4. **Adhere to Deadlines:** Pay close attention to the application deadlines set by your chosen institution, as these will also govern your NL Scholarship application. ## Key Dates The application window for the NL Scholarship typically opens on **1 November** each year for the academic year two years hence (e.g., 1 November 2025 for the 2026-2027 academic year). However, the specific closing dates for scholarship applications are determined by each participating institution. Therefore, it is essential to check the website of the university or university of applied sciences you intend to apply to for their exact deadlines. ## Selection Criteria While the NL Scholarship program outlines general eligibility, the ultimate selection of scholarship recipients is made by the individual participating universities and universities of applied sciences. Each institution will have its own specific selection criteria, which may include: * Academic merit and achievements * Motivation and suitability for the chosen study program * Extracurricular activities and leadership potential * Relevance of the study program to future career goals It is advisable to contact the international office or admissions department of your preferred institution for detailed information on their selection process and criteria. ## Tips * **Research Thoroughly:** Explore the websites of all participating research universities and universities of applied sciences to find a program that aligns with your academic goals and to understand their specific scholarship application procedures and deadlines. * **Early Application:** Begin your university application process well in advance of the deadlines. This will give you ample time to gather all necessary documents and meet any institutional-specific requirements. * **Strong Application:** Ensure your university application is comprehensive and compelling, highlighting your academic strengths, motivations, and why you are an ideal candidate for both the program and the scholarship. * **Check for Updates:** Scholarship details and participating institutions can change annually. Always refer to the official Study in NL website and the websites of your chosen institutions for the most up-to-date information. ## Official Source For the most accurate and current information regarding the NL Scholarship, please refer to the official website: [https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/holland-scholarship](https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/holland-scholarship) Additionally, consult the individual websites of the participating Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences for their specific application procedures and deadlines. A list of participating institutions for the 2026-2027 academic year can be found on the official scholarship page.

NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) eligibility

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

Non-EEA nationals, including all African countries, applying for a full-time bachelor's or master's at a participating Dutch university or university of applied sciences. Apply through the institution, not centrally.

NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/nl-scholarship to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: Non-EEA nationals, including all African countries, applying for a full-time bachelor's or master's at a participating Dutch university or university of applied sciences. Apply through the institution, not centrally.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) deadline & application timeline

Provider deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
To be confirmed for the 2027 intake
Provider deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

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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Editorial verification note

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Last checked 10/19/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship)?+

Non-EEA nationals, including all African countries, applying for a full-time bachelor's or master's at a participating Dutch university or university of applied sciences. Apply through the institution, not centrally.

What funding does the NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) offer?+

Listed funding: EUR 5,000 in the first year of study (not a full tuition scholarship). Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/nl-scholarship to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Non-EEA nationals, including all African countries, applying for a full-time bachelor's or master's at a participating Dutch university or university of applied sciences. Apply through the institution, not centrally.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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