NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship): requirements, benefits and deadline

The NL Scholarship, formerly the Holland Scholarship, gives international students from outside the European Economic Area €5,000 towards the first year of a bachelor’s or master’s at a participating Dutch university.

Country
Netherlands
Level
Bachelor’s and master’s
Funding
€5,000 in the first year (partial)
Next deadline
Set by each university; the 2027–28 call has not been published yet

Official website

What it covers

  • €5,000, paid in the first year of your studies
  • It is not a full-tuition scholarship

Who can apply

  • Have a nationality from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Apply for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s at a participating Dutch research university or university of applied sciences; the list changes every year
  • Meet the specific requirements of your chosen institution
  • Not already hold a degree from a Dutch institution

Key dates

2026–2027 round
Opened 1 November 2025; each institution set its own deadline
2027–2028 round
Not yet published

How to apply

  1. Check which universities take part this year on Study in NL.
  2. Apply for your programme and find the university’s own NL Scholarship deadline and eligible fields on its website.
  3. Follow that university’s instructions to apply for the scholarship.

Frequently asked questions

What does the NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship) cover?

€5,000, paid in the first year of your studies. It is not a full-tuition scholarship.

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

Have a nationality from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Apply for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s at a participating Dutch research university or university of applied sciences; the list changes every year. Meet the specific requirements of your chosen institution. Not already hold a degree from a Dutch institution.

When is the NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship) deadline?

Set by each university; the 2027–28 call has not been published yet. 2026–2027 round: Opened 1 November 2025; each institution set its own deadline. 2027–2028 round: Not yet published.

How do I apply for the NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship)?

Check which universities take part this year on Study in NL. Apply for your programme and find the university’s own NL Scholarship deadline and eligible fields on its website. Follow that university’s instructions to apply for the scholarship.

Sources: Study in NL (Nuffic): NL Scholarship (checked 26 September 2026)

Compare dates across programmes in the scholarship deadlines calendar.

Other scholarship guides