- Full tuitionTuition fees covered
- ~EUR 15,925 (est.)Living allowance, 1-year master's
- ~EUR 30,625 (est.)Living allowance, 2-year master's
- 4 campusesBrightlands innovation campuses
- Under 35Maximum applicant age
- Non-EU/EEATarget student group
At a glance
full
Funding
€31k
Max amount
Feb 1, 2027
Deadline
All countries outside the EU/EEA
Country
Maastricht University
Provider
The UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship is a fully funded master's award offered by Maastricht University (UM) in the Netherlands for talented students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. It supports master's programmes affiliated with one of the 4 Brightlands innovation campuses—Maastricht, Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen and Venlo—which focus on chemistry and materials, health and life sciences, agrifood innovation, and data science and smart digital services. The award covers full tuition fees plus a living allowance of EUR 15,925 for one-year master's programmes or EUR 30,625 for two-year programmes, along with health and liability insurance, visa costs, a pre-academic training programme and guaranteed accommodation. Applicants must hold a non-EU/EEA or Swiss nationality, be under 35 as of 1 September, not have previously enrolled in Dutch higher education, and hold conditional admission to a participating programme. Selection involves a faculty ranking and an online interview, with final decisions typically announced in April. The application deadline is around 1 February 2026. Stipend amounts, eligible programmes and the exact deadline can change each cycle, so confirm the current figures on the official Maastricht University scholarship page before applying.
What's covered
- Full tuition fees — Complete coverage of tuition fees for the participating Brightlands-affiliated master's programme.
- Living allowance (1-year) — A living allowance of approximately EUR 15,925 for one-year master's programmes.
- Living allowance (2-year) — A living allowance of approximately EUR 30,625 for two-year master's programmes.
- Insurance and visa costs — Health and liability insurance plus visa and residence-permit application costs are included in the package.
- Accommodation — Guaranteed accommodation is arranged for scholarship holders for the duration of the programme.
- Pre-academic training — Participation in a pre-academic training programme and access to the Brightlands professional and research network.
How to apply
Application is a two-step process: first register for a participating master's programme via Studielink, then submit the scholarship application form with supporting documents.
- Register for a master's programme — Apply for a participating Brightlands-affiliated master's programme at Maastricht University through Studielink.nl and obtain your student ID number.
- Complete the scholarship form — Using your student ID, complete the official UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship application form.
- Upload required documents — Attach your CV, motivation letter (using the provided template), proof of academic excellence, a personal statement of financial need, a reference letter and referee contact details.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit a complete application by around 1 February 2026; only complete applications are considered.
- Attend the interview — Shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview with the scholarship committee; final decisions are announced around April 2026.
Eligibility
NationalityMust hold a nationality from a country outside the EU/EEA, or from Switzerland.
AgeMust be under 35 years old as of 1 September of the start year.
Prior Dutch studyMust not have previously enrolled in any degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands.
Admission statusMust hold conditional admission to a participating master's programme affiliated with a Brightlands campus.
Academic meritMust demonstrate strong academic performance and a clear commitment to the Brightlands innovation community.
Applicants must also meet the requirements for a Netherlands visa and residence permit. Only complete applications submitted by the deadline are assessed.
Eligible countries
All countries outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland
Deadlines
September 2026 intake~1 February 2026 (est.)
Following cycle~February 2027 (est.)
Selection
Applications are first checked for completeness by the UM International Services Desk, then ranked by the relevant UM faculty on academic performance, motivation and potential impact on the Brightlands campuses. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed online by a committee that includes UM, Brightlands campus management and the Province of Limburg, with successful candidates notified around April.
Verified sources
- UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship - Maastricht Universitymaastrichtuniversity.nlofficial
- Studielink - Dutch higher education application portalstudielink.nlofficial
About the provider
Maastricht University is a public research university in the Netherlands, founded in 1976 and known for its problem-based learning and international student body. Its Brightlands campuses bring together students, researchers and companies to work on innovation in health, chemistry, agrifood and data science.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who is eligible for the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship?
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Non-EU/EEA and Swiss nationals under 35 with conditional admission to a participating Brightlands-affiliated master's programme, who have not previously studied in Dutch higher education.
What does the scholarship cover?
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Full tuition fees, a living allowance, health and liability insurance, visa costs, a pre-academic training programme and guaranteed accommodation.
How much is the living allowance?
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Approximately EUR 15,925 for one-year master's programmes and approximately EUR 30,625 for two-year programmes.
Which campuses are involved?
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The four Brightlands innovation campuses: Maastricht, Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen and Venlo.
What is the age limit?
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Applicants must be under 35 years old as of 1 September of the start year.
What degree levels are covered?
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Master's programmes only, across all subjects offered by participating Brightlands-affiliated programmes.
Can EU/EEA students apply?
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No. The scholarship is reserved for students from countries outside the EU/EEA, plus Switzerland.
How do I apply?
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First register for a master's programme via Studielink.nl to get a student ID, then complete the scholarship application form and upload the required documents.
When is the application deadline?
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Around 1 February 2026 (est.); confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official Maastricht University scholarship page.
Is accommodation guaranteed?
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Yes. Guaranteed accommodation is arranged as part of the scholarship package for the programme duration.
Is there an interview?
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Yes. Shortlisted candidates attend an online interview with a committee including UM, Brightlands campus management and the Province of Limburg.
When are results announced?
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Final decisions are typically announced around April 2026 (est.).