What the funding covers
- Tuition fees in full.
- Living expenses: €15,925 for a 13-month programme or €30,625 for a 25-month programme.
- Health and liability insurance (€700), visa application costs, and pre-academic training costs.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition | The scholarship — a full fee waiver |
| Living costs: €15,925 for a 13-month programme or €30,625 for a 25-month programme | The scholarship stipend |
| Health and liability insurance, the visa application and pre-academic training | The scholarship |
Who can apply
- Nationality of a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname, and eligibility for a Dutch entry visa and residence permit.
- Aged 35 or younger on 1 September 2027.
- Excellent results: a GPA of at least 7.5 out of 10 (or equivalent) on your latest transcript.
- A complete application to a participating full-time master's programme — only programmes on the scholarship's list qualify.
Documents you will need
- A CV of no more than two A4 pages, including any awards or prizes
- A motivation letter written on Maastricht's template
- Your latest transcript showing a GPA of 7.5 out of 10 or higher, plus a document explaining your grading system
- A personal statement of financial need — for example financial difficulty, caring duties, a disability or refugee status
- One reference letter from a (former) professor, lecturer or employer, dated February 2026 or later and following the scholarship's referee guidelines — you upload it yourself
How to apply
- Check the list of participating master's programmes for 2027–28.
- Submit a complete master's application, meeting all admission requirements, by 10 December 2026.
- Apply for the scholarship between 1 October 2026 and 1 February 2027 (23:59).
- Make your motivation specific to Maastricht's problem-based learning and your programme.
Before you apply: things to know
- Two deadlines: the master's application (10 December) comes well before the scholarship deadline (1 February). Missing the first rules you out.
- Only certain programmes take part; check the list before you choose.
- Eighteen awards across all eligible countries makes this very competitive — apply for other scholarships in parallel.
Common questions
How are winners chosen?
Each faculty ranks its top five applicants and sends them to the International Services Desk for a final check in March 2027. Selected candidates are then invited to an online interview.
I already have a master's degree. Can I apply?
Yes, but preference goes to candidates who have not yet obtained a master's degree.
Can my referee send the letter directly?
No. You upload the reference letter yourself, and letters that ignore the guidelines leave your application incomplete.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next typical 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, 2026Ask your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Oct 15, 2026Write the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Oct 29, 2026Order 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 — never on the last day
Dec 10, 2026Typical deadline
Related routes
TU Delft — Van Effen Excellence
Due in 67 daysDetails →
University of Helsinki
Due ≈ in 105 daysDetails →
Master Mind Scholarships (Flanders)
Next call not yet announcedDetails →
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Due ≈ in 112 daysDetails →
Sources
- Maastricht University — NL-High Potential scholarship
- Maastricht University — Participating programmes 2027–2028 (PDF)
- Maastricht University — Scholarships for talented students
Page reviewed Sep 25, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.