What the funding covers
- Tuition fees in full.
- Living expenses: €20,150 for a 13-month programme or €38,750 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: €20,150 for a 13-month programme or €38,750 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.
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 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 in its application window, which opened on 1 October 2026 and closes on 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, so 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 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