If you have been looking to find a scholarship to help you pay for your education in Netherland, then today might just be your lucky day. International students from developing countries have more opportunities to land several scholarship awards provided around Europe.
Many of the scholarships listed in this post are fully funded for students pursuing postgraduate, undergraduate, or master’s programs in the Netherlands. So if you are thinking of relocating to Netherland, it’s never too late to start searching for these types of scholarships.
The majority of the following Scholarships will help you cover all the academic fees associated with your degree course in Netherland. With that said, these are some of the top fully-funded scholarships available for international students who want to study in the Netherlands.
Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Developing Countries in Netherlands
1. ICANN 2022 Fellowship Program for Developing Countries: This fellowship is designed to provide support to researchers and doctoral students who have proven capacity to contribute to ICANN activities and programs. The scholarship can be taken at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherland and winners will be awarded €8,000 per year for 5 years.
2. Ford Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships: One of the oldest international research institutes, Ford Foundation sponsors thousands of young scholars every year who can take part in their fellowship program. Each fellow will receive $30,000 annually for three years and they must also teach a Master’s class during their tenure. Applications are due on or before May 31.
3. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) 2022 for International Students: As one of the most popular fully-funded scholarships for international students, this award aims to encourage talented international students who want to pursue a master’s or Ph.D. degree in Amsterdam. They provide funding of up to €4,000 annually and applicants must meet all admission requirements of the university. This is one of the best fully-funded scholarships available for international students who want to study in the Netherlands.
4. Max Van der Stoel Research Award 2021: With an endowment of €3, 000, this award is offered to graduate students of developing countries who wish to conduct research on critical challenges related to poverty and exclusion. Applicants must submit their thesis proposals by November 20.
5. Wageningen University & Research 2022 Africa Scholarship Programme for African Students -Netherlands: The program offers scholarships for master and Ph.D. degree holders from Africa who wishes to pursue their studies at Wageningen University &Research in the Netherlands. Winners will receive an annual stipend of €10,000 per year and an extra sum of €5,000 if they have successfully applied for a Dutch student visa. The duration of the scholarship is 3 years.
6. Talentum Scholarship Programme 2021: This program provides full-tuition fee support to African students wishing to pursue their undergraduate or postgraduate degree at an accredited institution in Europe or North America. Winners will receive €7,500 each year and have to undertake internships with European organizations as part of their coursework. Applications are due by March 1.
7. RNTC Fully-funded Media & Journalism Scholarships 2022/2023 for African & Developing Countries: As part of this program, applicants can receive funding for up to 12 months at any media organization that meets RNTC’s minimum standards of ethical standards and professional excellence.
8. Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) 2021-2022 Scholarship: For International Students: OKP aims to offer financial support to highly talented students from low-income countries wishing to study a degree program at any university in the world. Successful applicants will receive up to €14,000 per year for undergraduate study and up to €25, 000 per year for graduate study.
9. ITC Foundation Scholarships in Spatial Engineering 2021-2022 for Developing Countries – University of Twente, Netherlands: The Foundation will provide scholarship funds for excellent international students who want to pursue an engineering or spatial science-related Master’s degree at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. Applicants must be under 30 years of age at the time of application.
10. Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) Masters Scholarships 2021/2022 for Students from Developing Countries: KIT offers 10-20 scholarships annually to exceptional students from underrepresented countries who wish to pursue a Master’s degree in Tropical Agricultural Science and Development at the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment & Nutrition Sciences, in the Netherlands.
Holland Scholarship
If you reside outside the EU and you wish to study in the Netherlands, then you may be eligible to apply for the Holland scholarship provided by the government of the Netherlands. Applicants who are selected for this award will be eligible to obtain a €5,000 award.
In order to obtain this award, applicants will have to meet some strict eligibility criteria which will be discussed in this article. In addition to the Dutch government scholarship, students who want to study in the Netherlands also have the option of applying for a number of other funding opportunities such as the European Union (EU) student grant.
These grants can provide applicants with €7,500 for undergraduate students or €3,750 for postgraduate students who are not eligible for the Holland scholarship. This article provides detailed information on both these options so that you can decide which option suits you best.
The application procedure for both these grants is very similar and we discuss them in detail in this article. If you want to know more about EU student grants, then read on.
About the Holland Scholarship:
The Holland Scholarship is one of the scholarships that are provided by the government of the Netherlands for international students who wish to study in the Netherlands. This scholarship was initially created in 1991 as a means of encouraging talented international students to study in the Netherlands.
Currently, there are approximately 350 successful recipients of the Holland Scholarship each year. The number of recipients per year has gradually increased over the years and it has reached an all-time high of 800 recipients in 2021.
Eligibility
As far as eligibility criteria are concerned, there are three main eligibility criteria that must be met by all applicants who wish to apply for the Holland Scholarship. They are:
They must be between the ages of 18 and 30 as on 31st December of the year in which they intend to commence their studies.
They must have obtained an unconditional offer of a place at a Dutch higher education institution that is recognized by the Dutch government and whose place is not limited by any time limit or specific admissions requirements.
They must have sufficient knowledge of and command of the Dutch language (EN1102).
Applicants can take this proficiency test before their admission at the university or institute, if required. Your nationality is non-EEA.
You have not schooled or have previously been taught in the Netherlands. In case you meet all the above-mentioned eligibility criteria, you will be eligible for the Holland Scholarship.
It is worth noting that only 50 students will be awarded the Holland Scholarship each year. However, since many universities have such high enrolment rates that many other applicants may not get their first choice; there is always a lot of competition among applicants for the Holland Scholarship. This has resulted in increasing numbers of applications every year.
How to Apply for this Scholarship
There are different steps involved in the application process for the Holland Scholarship. After submitting your application to the embassy, you will receive a notification about your application status and further details on how to proceed.
If you have already started your application process but do not yet have a definite offer, you can apply for the Holland Scholarship once you have received an unconditional offer of a place at a Dutch higher education institution.
There are some things that you need to keep in mind while applying for the Holland Scholarship. Some of these include: While filling out the application form, it is essential that you select your ‘first choice’ university/institute from the list provided by the University College Leiden, i.e. your main field of study and study location.
All choices must be checked by your educational advisor before submission. The information provided on the application form must be complete and accurate. When completing the form, ensure that you provide accurate personal details such as full name, birth date, gender, marital status, contact details, home address, telephone number, nationality, study history , student union membership, work experience, professional skills, work-related experiences, English language proficiency level, foreign languages and knowledge, computer skills, level of participation in extracurricular activities, health conditions, etc.
Applicants should pay attention to spelling and grammar while filling out the application form. While submitting the application form, ensure that it is submitted as early as possible to give yourself ample time to revise and edit it before submission. Any additional documentation required must be submitted together with the application form.
University of Twente Scholarships
University of Twente Scholarships is open to students who are pursuing a degree at the University of Twente, Netherlands. The scholarship award provides the funds needed to pay for tuition, living expenses, and other academic costs. It is given out on a merit basis and can be renewed each year based on performance
To apply for this scholarship, you must submit a student application form with all supporting documents by May 31. This program is sponsored by the University of Twente and has no deadline for submission. This program does not provide funding for summer school or winter school courses.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Masters
- Institution(s): the University of Twente Study in the Netherlands
- Program Period: 2 years
- Number of Available Scholarships: Approximately 50 scholarships are available
- Deadline: February 01, 2022 / May 01, 2022
About the University of Twente Scholarships:
The University of Twente was founded in 1971 as a multidisciplinary public university, combining engineering, business, technology, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. In 2006, the university changed its name to the “University of Twente ” from the “Netherlands Institute of Technology”.
Currently, it is ranked among the best Dutch universities in terms of reputation and alumni outcomes. The university also maintains research centers focused on entrepreneurship, biotechnology, environmental issues, alternative energy, smart materials, clean water, and nutrition.
Its unique approach and large size give students plenty of opportunities to pursue a variety of courses and participate in special projects and groups. For more information about the University of Twente Scholarships, please visit
Who is Eligible for this Award
There are some general requirements that need to be met before applying for this scholarship. You must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at the University of Twente in order to apply for this scholarship.
Applicants must have completed high school or received their equivalent degree before they begin applying for this scholarship.
Be in good academic standing with no incomplete grades or failing grades at the time of application.
You must have a studentnumber. You have not graduated from a UT (under)graduate program;
You comply with the conditions for obtaining an entry visa in the Netherlands (if applicable);
You are not eligible for a Dutch study loan;
Also, all documents that support your application should be uploaded with your student application form.
Applicants must be applying to study any of the selected courses listed below:
Courses Offered Following Master’s Programs offered at the University:
- Applied Physics
- Applied Mathematics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Business Information Technology
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Communication Studies
- Civil Engineering and Management
- Computer Science
- Construction Management and Engineering Electrical Engineering
- Educational Science and Technology Embedded Systems
- Environmental and Energy Management
- European Studies
- Human Media Interaction
- Health Sciences
- Industrial Design Engineering
- Internet Science & Technology
- Industrial Engineering and Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Psychology
- Philosophy of Science,
- Technology, and Society
- Public Administration
- Sustainable Energy Technology Systems and Control.
University of Twente Scholarship Value:
The scholarships cover full tuition fees for up to 4 years for all international students studying full-time in one of the above-mentioned programs. Applicants will receive €500 per month during their studies for each year that they remain enrolled in a full-time program at the University of Twente.
Students who meet the requirements may also receive additional financial support from the university, up to a maximum of €5000 per year. The total amount of funding available is limited, so successful applicants may not receive more than €20,000 per year.
Please note that this scholarship does not cover travel expenses or additional costs related to accommodation or meals. It is possible to receive an additional grant from the university to cover these costs.
How to Apply for University of Twente Scholarships:
Applicants can learn more about these awards at the official scholarship page. Official Website
Orange Knowledge Programme
Orange Knowledge Programme is open to international students who wish to study a master’s program at an eligible university in the Netherlands. International students must be non-EU/EEA nationals who are from selected countries and have applied for a master’s degree program at a Dutch university.
For those interested in postgraduate education, the study offer contains excellent educational facilities. The government wants to support these efforts by making sure that as many people as possible get access to high-quality education and that more money goes to this effort.
The plan includes reducing administrative hurdles, enhancing educational offerings, expanding information technology (IT) use, improving institutional infrastructure, promoting exchange programs, increasing government investment in higher education, and creating greater career prospects for young people.
In doing so, the government aims to help raise the level of knowledge and skill within the labor market and provide opportunities for personal development.
Orange Knowledge Programme Benefits
The programs offer advantages such as grants for courses, discounts on lodging, excursions, books, sports equipment, health insurance, visa application assistance, transportation costs, living expenses, course materials, visa fees, orientation seminars, entrance examinations, preparatory training, language training, medical examinations, relocation assistance, visa issuance assistance, etc. Also included are offers of subsidized housing and part-time work during studies.
Who is Eligible for the Orange Knowledge Programme?
1. Non-EU/EEA nationals who are from selected countries and have applied for a master’s degree program at a Dutch university
2. A maximum of ten million people worldwide will be granted access to this program.
3. Only citizens of non-EU/EEA nations can apply for this program.
4. Applicants must meet all admission requirements of the program they wish to enter.
5. Students who wish to take advantage of the full package offered by the Dutch government should be willing to abide by the regulations set out by the Orange Knowledge Programme and take responsibility for themselves.
6. After being accepted into the program, students must sign a contract that commits them to follow the rules set out by the government and comply with all conditions of their grant. If students fail to do so, they risk losing their grant.
7. Applicants must be from selected countries such as:
Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zambia.
Financial Aid Opportunities in the Netherlands
Once accepted into the program, students will receive an invitation letter from the ministry which gives them permission to remain in the Netherlands for up to one year after graduating. Once in the Netherlands, students will receive a financial grant for living expenses from the government and this amount varies according to each individual case.
This sum is calculated on the basis of how much money they have leftover after meeting all expenses such as rent, tuition fees, insurance, etc. They will also receive a travel grant for return travel home if they wish to leave the Netherlands at any point during their study period.
Students who leave the Netherlands at any point during their study period are not entitled to a travel grant and are expected to make their own way home. If students decide to stay longer than one year in the Netherlands, they will need to renew their residence permit every year.
If students complete their master’s degree before they have applied for a permanent residence permit in the Netherlands, they are required to register with the Dutch authorities within six months of graduation and provide proof of having paid back any grants received from the government.
The proof is generally provided by a statement from the bank account where the student deposited their grants and it should show that they have repaid all grants that were granted to them by the government. In addition, students must provide evidence that they have taken out private health insurance in the Netherlands.
How to Apply:
The Procedure for Applying for the Orange Knowledge Programme: Students must submit an application form with their desired master’s degree program to the institution where they are currently registered and make sure they meet all admission requirements.
They should submit their completed application form together with their certified ID document to the Netherlands embassy or consulate where they live and study.
Applications must be made in good time before the deadline set by the institute where the student is currently registered. Once an application has been submitted it is only processed once it has been confirmed that the student meets all admission requirements. This can take up to several months.
You can submit your application here; Official Scholarship Website:
Masters Scholarships for International Students at the University of Twente
Orange Knowledge Programme is open to international students who wish to study at an eligible university in the Netherlands. The aim of the Orange Knowledge Programme is to help advance the development of the knowledge, capacity, and quality of individuals and organizations in higher education.
The University of Twente awards this scholarship for master’s programs taught in English at any faculty. These scholarships are available for new enrolments only. For existing students, there is a full or partial waiver available depending on their country of origin.
The program also includes mentoring from experienced alumni and internationally recognized professionals, seminars and workshops, participation in various academic events, free tuition for one month for attending an international summer school and internship program, as well as a special travel grant to study-abroad students for up to four months.
Scholarship Benefits
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and it is possible to apply multiple times if needed. The scholarships cover all the tuition fees for one year, accommodation and insurance for one year, health insurance for one year, access to sports facilities, career counseling, airport pick-up, and luggage delivery service, life coaching, professional skills workshops, professional tutoring, support with completing English language requirements, assistance with Dutch language requirements, mentoring from successful alumni and internationally recognized professionals, opportunities to meet influential speakers, online workshops and more.
Successful applicants will receive a letter of intent (LOI) which provides a brief outline of the intended study plan and career goals. A maximum of €4,000 can be awarded per academic year. Scholarships are not transferable to another applicant or program.
Eligibility to Qualify for this Program:
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria set by the University of Twente to be eligible for this scholarship. In addition, applicants must:
- Have achieved at least an average of 60% overall in a relevant subject in their previous undergraduate degree or its equivalent;
- Be enrolled in a full-time master’s programme taught in English at any faculty;
- Have paid all required tuition fees;
- And not have previously received any other university funding or award.
- This scholarship does not cover additional expenses such as books, equipment, transportation or personal living expenses.
- Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate an intention to complete their studies in less than four years. This scholarship cannot be combined with any other University of Twente scholarships.
- Applications must be submitted before April 15. Interviews will be held between April 30 and May 31.
- If you are awarded the scholarship, you will be asked to confirm acceptance of the terms and conditions within seven days of receiving the letter of intent. Failure to confirm acceptance will result in your application being removed from the application pool.
- This scholarship is only available to nationals of European Union member states or Switzerland. The award cannot be used in conjunction with any other university scholarships.
- Any non-refundable scholarships that are awarded may be adjusted based on individual circumstances at the discretion of the funder.
- Applicants who have previously received a non-refundable grant from the same funder are not eligible to apply for this grant.
- Non-European Union citizens can only apply for this scholarship if they are able to demonstrate a sufficient level of financial need, equivalent to those granted by European Union countries. The same criteria will apply for Swiss nationals.
- You must attend an interview at a local University of Twente campus before your application can be considered. Interview dates will be posted on the funding package page and also announced via email. Applicants who do not attend an interview at a local University of Twente campus will not be considered for the scholarship.
- All payments are processed directly by the University of Twente and all fees must be paid prior to attending any courses or events. Any monies outstanding after 30 days will be returned to the donor.
- Scholarships are non-transferable and may not be combined with any other grants or funding programmes.
How to Apply for this Award
Students can apply for this scholarship here: