Fully Funded Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship in Netherlands, 2026

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship offers a fully funded pathway to pursue a master’s degree in the Netherlands. This prestigious award supports non-EU/EEA students with tuition coverage, living stipends, insurance, visa costs, and tailored pre-academic preparation, making it one of the standout fully funded scholarships in Europe for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Maastricht University (UM) is globally known for its problem-based learning approach, international community, and innovative research environment, and the NL-High Potential Scholarship enables exceptional students to join this dynamic academic community without the financial burden that often comes with studying abroad.

What Is the NL-High Potential Scholarship?

The NL-High Potential Scholarship is a fully funded award offered by Maastricht University in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science as part of the NL Scholarship programme. Each year, it provides 21 full scholarships worth approximately €34,000 each to outstanding international students from outside the EU/EEA region.

This programme aims to attract high-potential students who demonstrate academic excellence and promise to become future leaders in their home countries and beyond. Recipients are expected to represent Maastricht University and contribute to its international community both during and after their studies.

Who Is Eligible?

The NL-High Potential Scholarship is highly competitive, and only about 2 % of applicants receive an award each cycle. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Citizenship
    • You must be a national of a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname.
    • You must be eligible to obtain a Dutch MVV visa and residence permit if required to study in the Netherlands.
  • Master’s Admission
    • You must apply for and be admitted to a participating full-time master’s programme at Maastricht University for the 2026–2027 academic year.
    • Your admission application must be submitted before the deadline (typically 8 December 2025) for eligibility.
  • Academic Excellence
    • You must have excellent academic results, generally shown by a minimum GPA of approximately 7.5/10 or equivalent from previous studies.
  • Prior Education
    • You must not have already participated in a degree-seeking programme in the Netherlands. Exchange stays in the Netherlands are acceptable.
  • Age Restriction
    • Applicants must be 35 years old or younger on 1 September 2026.
  • Ambassadorial Commitment
    • You must agree to serve as a UM ambassador during and after your studies, sharing your experiences at events, information sessions, or outreach activities.
  • Single Application Rule
    • Each student may submit only one application, so prepare your documents carefully before submission, as additions or replacements are not accepted after submission.

What the Scholarship Covers

One of the biggest advantages of the NL-High Potential Scholarship is its comprehensive financial support, which includes:

  • Full Tuition Fee Waiver: All tuition fees for the master’s programme you are admitted to are covered.
  • Living Allowance: You receive a generous living stipend to help cover your day-to-day expenses during your studies:
    • €15,925 for a 13-month (1-year) master’s programme
    • €30,625 for a 25-month (2-year) programme
  • This stipend (equivalent to approximately €1,225 per month) is intended to help with accommodation, food, travel, and other essential living costs.
  • Health & Liability Insurance: A standard insurance coverage amount (approximately €700) for health and liability is included as part of the scholarship.
  • Visa & Residence Permit Costs: The university covers the costs of your visa application and residence permit, reducing financial barriers during your pre-arrival and enrolment process.
  • Pre-Academic Training: A mandatory Pre-Academic Training programme is fully funded and takes place in August 2026, just before classes begin. This two-week session helps you adapt to academic life at Maastricht and prepares you for your degree ahead of the semester.
  • Accommodation Support: Awardees are typically provided support in arranging student housing in Maastricht. However, university dorm arrangements are usually not suitable for partners or children.

Scholarship Timeline (2026 Cycle)

Understanding the timeline is crucial for successful application planning:

1 October 2025

  • Scholarship application portal opens for NL-High Potential submissions.

8 December 2025

  • Master’s programme application deadline for most participating UM programmes — students must have applied for admission by this date to be eligible for the scholarship.

1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)

  • Scholarship application deadline — your complete application must be submitted by this date.

February–March 2026

  • Completeness check and faculty rankings — the UM International Services Desk forwards full applications to faculties; each faculty selects and ranks top candidates.

March–April 2026

  • Shortlisted interviews — selected candidates are invited for online interviews.

April–May 2026

  • Final decisions announced — applicants are informed whether they are selected, waitlisted, or rejected. Waitlisted statuses may be converted in May.

August 2026

  • Pre-Academic Training begins — a mandatory preparation programme before the academic year commences.

How to Apply

Applying successfully to the NL-High Potential Scholarship involves a few key steps:

1. Apply for Admission

  • Submit your application for a full-time master’s programme at Maastricht University via Studielink before 8 December 2025.

After submitting your admission application, you will receive a UM student ID, which you’ll need for the next step.

2. Prepare Required Documents

Required documents typically include (but are not limited to):

  • Academic transcripts and diplomas showing your GPA and previous degrees
  • CV or resume highlighting academic achievements
  • Motivation letter describing your academic goals, leadership potential, and why you are a strong candidate
  • Proof of language proficiency (if applicable)
  • Any additional university-specified forms such as ambassador commitment statements

Tip: Make sure all documents are accurately named, legible, and complete — incomplete submissions cannot be updated after submission.

3. Submit Your Scholarship Application

  • Log in to the Maastricht University scholarship portal with your UM account.
  • Complete the NL-High Potential scholarship form and upload all documents before 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET).

4. Selection & Interview

  • After initial screening, faculties will shortlist top candidates.
  • Shortlisted applicants will receive invitations to online interviews as part of the evaluation.

5. Acceptance & Pre-Academic Training

  • If selected, you will receive an award letter that must be signed and returned.
  • Participation in the Pre-Academic Training in August 2026 is mandatory.

For more details about the scholarship, visit the official scholarship website.

The Selection Process

The scholarship selection involves multiple stages designed to ensure fairness and academic potential:

  • Completeness check (after 1 February 2026): UM International Services Desk reviews applications for completeness.
  • Faculty shortlisting: Faculties rank their top candidates (typically top five per faculty).
  • Final review and interviews: Shortlisted applicants are invited for an online interview.
  • Final decisions: Scholarship awardees, waitlist, and rejected applicants are informed (April–May 2026).

Tips for a Competitive Application

  • Start Early: Begin your master’s programme application and scholarship preparation well before the October opening and December admission deadlines.
  • Strong Motivation Letter: Your motivation letter should clearly articulate your academic aspirations, leadership goals, and how studying at Maastricht University will help you contribute positively at home or globally.
  • Academic Excellence: Ensure that your transcripts and academic records reflect high academic achievement. This scholarship targets top performers.
  • Ambassador Role Preparation: Be ready to discuss your willingness to be an active university ambassador both during and after your studies in your motivation materials and interview.

Conclusion

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2026 is one of the most generous fully funded master’s scholarships available in Europe — covering tuition, living allowances, visa costs, insurance, and pre-academic preparation. With only about 21 awards available and a competitive acceptance rate of roughly 2 %, careful preparation, strong documentation, and early application increase your chances of success.

If you are an international student with strong academic standing and global aspirations, this scholarship can unlock significant opportunities for educational and professional growth in one of Europe’s most vibrant academic environments.

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