Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2026–2027 | Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship in the Netherlands

The Maastricht University (UM) NL-High Potential Scholarship Programme is one of Europe’s most prestigious and competitive scholarships, offering 21 full scholarships valued at €34,000 each year.

This scholarship is designed for exceptionally talented international students from outside the EU/EEA, providing them the opportunity to pursue a full-time master’s degree at Maastricht University, one of the Netherlands’ leading research universities.

The programme combines two funding sources:

• The High Potential Scholarship (from the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund)
• The NL Scholarship, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in collaboration with Dutch universities.

Eligible Courses

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is open to all participating full-time master’s programs at UM for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Students can apply to fields such as:

1. Arts & Social Sciences
2. Business & Economics
3. Law, Governance, and Politics
4. Psychology & Neuroscience
5. Science & Engineering
6. Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences

See the list of participating programmes for 2026–2027 on the official Maastricht University website below.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship, you must:

1. Hold a nationality outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or Suriname.
2. Meet the requirements to obtain an entry visa and residence permit for the Netherlands.
3. Have applied for admission to a participating master’s programme at Maastricht University by 8 December 2025.
4. Not have studied for a degree in the Netherlands before (exchange programs are allowed).
5. Be 35 years old or younger by 1 September 2026.
6. Have achieved excellent grades in your previous studies — equivalent to a GPA of 7.5/10, 75%, or 3.0/4.0.
7. Show a strong motivation for study and agree to act as a Maastricht University ambassador during and after their studies.

Scholarship Value and Inclusions

Each UM NL-High Potential Scholarship is worth approximately €34,000, covering:

Scholarship Duration

• 13 months for a one-year master’s program
• 25 months for a two-year master’s program

Application Procedure

Follow these steps carefully to apply for the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship.

Step 1:
Apply for admission to a participating master’s programme at Maastricht University via Studielink.nl
before 8 December 2025. You’ll receive a UM student ID number, which is required for your scholarship application.

Step 2:
Submit the Scholarship Application Form. Once you have your UM student ID, log in to the online scholarship application portal and complete the form. Upload all required documents in .doc, .docx, or PDF format:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
• Motivation letter (use the UM template)
• Proof of academic excellence (transcripts and GPA explanation)
• Personal financial statement
• Reference letter from a professor or employer
• Referee contact details (institutional email required)

Note that only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Application Deadline

• Application Portal Opens: 1 October 2025
• Master’s Programme Admission Deadline: 8 December 2025
• Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 February 2026, 23:59 CET

Apply early to increase your chances of being considered.

Contact hhp.scholarship@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information or visit the official website.

Official Scholarship Website

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/studeren/toelating-inschrijving/financing-your-studies/scholarships/maastricht-university-nl-high