What the funding covers
- A tuition fee waiver.
- Living costs of €20,150 for a 13-month (one-year) master's or €38,750 for a 25-month (two-year) master's, paid by the International Services Desk.
- Health and liability insurance, visa application costs and the two-week pre-academic training.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition | The scholarship |
| Living costs | €20,150 or €38,750 |
| Insurance and visa | The scholarship |
| Flights | You |
Who can apply
- Nationals of countries outside the EU, the EEA, Switzerland and Suriname, who have never been enrolled in a degree programme in the Netherlands.
- No older than 35 on 1 September 2027, with a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 or higher. Candidates without a master's degree are preferred.
- Admission to a participating master's for 2027–2028: the programmes affiliated with the Chemelot campus and the Maastricht Health campus, listed on the scholarship page.
- A commitment to act as a Brightlands and Maastricht University ambassador.
Which nationalities can apply
Every nationality except citizens of the European Union, the EEA countries outside the EU, Switzerland and Suriname.
Documents you will need
- A complete master's application before 10 December 2026
- The scholarship application, submitted once by 1 February 2027
How to apply
- Submit your full application for a participating master's, meeting every admission requirement, before 10 December 2026.
- Apply for the scholarship between 1 October 2026 and 1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET. You cannot add or replace documents after you submit.
- A shortlist is interviewed online. Candidates hear their status in April 2027 and a final decision by the beginning of May 2027.
Before you apply: things to know
- Air tickets are not included, and a cleaning fee of about €75 is paid upfront to Maastricht Housing.
- Only two scholarships are given each year, so apply for other funding as well.
- Maastricht's NL-High Potential scholarship uses the same 10 December master's deadline and covers most other programmes.
Common questions
How many Brightlands Talent Scholarships are there?
Two full scholarships per academic year.
Which programmes take part in 2027–2028?
Master's programmes affiliated with the Brightlands Chemelot campus and the Maastricht Health campus; the scholarship page links the list.
What are the deadlines?
A complete master's application before 10 December 2026, and the scholarship application by 1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next deadline (Dec 10, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.
Sep 17, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth: confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Oct 1, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Oct 15, 2026 · NOWWrite the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Oct 29, 2026 · NOWOrder transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Nov 12, 2026Second draft: get feedback from someone who reads critically
Nov 26, 2026Finalise every document and complete the online form
Dec 3, 2026Submit, but never on the last day
Dec 10, 2026Deadline