Netherlands Government NL Scholarship 2026 | Step-by-Step Process
NL Scholarship (Netherlands Government Scholarship) 2026 Overview
Financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science alongside participating research and applied sciences universities, the NL Scholarship (formerly the Holland Scholarship) targets non-EEA international students pursuing full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in the Netherlands. Administered under Nuffic's strict Integrity Code of Conduct, the award provides financial support to exceptional scholars during their initial year of study.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Must hold non-EEA (European Economic Area) citizenship.
- Academic Level: Applying for a full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program at a participating Dutch higher education institution.
- Prior Education: Must not hold a prior degree from an educational institution in the Netherlands.
- Institutional Entry: Must satisfy all academic, language, and admission entry requirements set by your chosen Dutch university.
Scholarship Benefits & Award Package
CategoryValue & Financial SupportFinancial Value€5,000 award toward study and living expenses (awarded in the first year)Duration1-year non-renewable grant (note: this is a partial award, not a full-tuition scholarship)ScopeOne-time grant applicable exclusively during the first academic year
Participating Institutions
The scholarship is supported across major Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences and Research Institutions, including:
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences / HKU / ArtEZ Institute of the Arts
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences / HAN / Hanze University of Applied Sciences
- Breda University of Applied Sciences / Saxion University / NHL Stenden
- Van Hall Larenstein / Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (among others)
How to Apply
- Select an eligible Bachelor's or Master's program from a participating Dutch university.
- Check the specific institution's application deadline and scholarship application requirements directly on their official website.
- Apply for full-time degree admission at the chosen Dutch higher education institution.
- Complete the university's internal scholarship application process or apply through the designated NL Scholarship portal upon securing university admission.