The UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship offers an exceptional opportunity for top-performing non-EU/EEA students to pursue a master’s degree at Maastricht University (UM) in the Netherlands. The program is linked to the Brightlands innovation campuses in Limburg—Maastricht, Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen, and Venlo—where students, researchers, and entrepreneurs collaborate to drive innovation in health, chemistry, materials, agrifood, data science, and innovative digital services.

Each year, four full scholarships are awarded to outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence and strong potential for personal development. The scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance, health insurance, visa costs, and housing. A key feature of the program is the Thesis-Internship Programme (TIP), which allows recipients to conduct their master’s thesis with one of the companies based at a Brightlands campus, gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Applicants must be non-EU/EEA nationals, under 35 years of age, with a GPA of at least 7.5/10 or equivalent, and must have applied for admission to an eligible UM master’s program. Selected scholars will begin their studies in September 2026 after completing a mandatory pre-academic training in August.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)
• Application Portal Opens: 1 October 2025
• Result Announcement: April–May 2026
• Pre-Academic Training: Early August 2026
• Program Start: September 2026
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Host Institution: Maastricht University
• Eligible Countries: Non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss nationals
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Top-performing master’s students with strong personal development potential
• Fields: Chemistry, Materials, Health, Agrifood, Data Science, Digital Services
• Study Level: Master’s Degree
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s (or equivalent)
• Number of Opportunities: 4 scholarships
• Duration: 13 months (1-year program) / 25 months (2-year program)
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: The Netherlands

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship program will provide the following benefits for the selected candidates:

• Living Expenses:
  • €15,925 (13 months) / €30,625 (25 months) — paid monthly (€1,225/month)
• Tuition Fees
• Health & Liability Insurance
• Visa Application Costs
• Pre-Academic Training & ISAP
• Guaranteed room provided by UM (mandatory acceptance required)

The €15,925 13 months living stipend breakdowns are as follows:

• Housing: €600
• Groceries & hygiene: €160
• Telephone: €60
• Travel: €100
• Books & study materials: €90
• Clothing, hobbies & leisure: €125
• Miscellaneous: €90

Note: Airfare is not included.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Must hold nationality from a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
• Must meet visa and residence permit requirements for the Netherlands.
• No dual nationality with an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
• Must have applied for admission to a participating UM master’s program for 2026–2027.
• Must meet all academic admission requirements of the chosen master’s program.
• No prior degree-seeking studies in the Netherlands (exchange students may apply).
• Preference for candidates without a previous master’s degree.
• Must be under 35 years old as of 1 September 2026.
• Must have a GPA of 7.5/10 or higher (or equivalent).
• Must agree to act as a Brightlands and UM ambassador during and after studies.
• Can apply only once and for one scholarship; documents cannot be changed after submission.

Required Documents

Applicants should submit the following documents:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (max two pages)
• Motivation Letter (using the official template)
• Proof of Academic Excellence (official transcript showing GPA ≥ 7.5/10)
• Personal Statement of Financial Need
• Reference Letter (from a professor, lecturer, or employer—not family)
• Referee’s Contact Information (official institutional email and phone number)

Selection Process

The following are the highlights of the selection procedure:

• Step 1: UM International Services Desk reviews all applications for completeness after 1 February 2026.
• Step 2: Complete applications are forwarded to the relevant UM Faculty in February 2026.
• Step 3: The Faculty Admission Office and program coordinators rank candidates based on UM scholarship criteria and nominate the top 5 applicants.
• Step 4: The Brightlands Scholarship Selection Committee (UM, Brightlands management, Province of Limburg) conducts online interviews with top candidates and finalizes selections. Non-selected applicants may be placed on a reserve list.
• Step 5: Applicants are informed of their status (selected, waitlisted, or rejected) between April and early May 2026. Waitlisted statuses are finalized by May 2026.
• Step 6: Selected awardees receive details about the Pre-Academic Training (mandatory, held in August 2026) and must sign and return the award letter to confirm acceptance.

How to Apply?

• Apply for admission to an eligible master’s program via Studielink.
• Once you receive your UM student ID, access the UM Brightlands Scholarship Application Form.
• Upload all required documents (PDF or .doc/.docx).
• Submit before 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET) — applications cannot be edited afterward.

Further details are available on the UM’s official website. For any inquiries or questions, email the UM International Services Desk: scholarships@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Check More Scholarships:

Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2026–2027

University of Twente Scholarship 2026/2027 for Non-EU/EEA Students

The Emile Boutmy Undergraduate and Master Scholarship 2026-27 in France