. . .

We are committed to shaping successful academic pursuits, fostering confidence in students navigating global education.

Contact Info

Book Appointment

Scholarships in Netherlands

20+

Years Of Experience
Google Review
5.0

Scholarships to study in the Netherlands, mapped honestly.

The Netherlands is internationally recognised for research excellence — and, uniquely, most PhD candidates here are salaried employees rather than scholarship recipients. Here’s the full map of aid available to Nepali students.

€870K+

Secured for our students.
 

8 Scholarships

Programs by USA Gov.

Explore Netherlands
Scholarship Category - #1

Eight ways to fund your US degree.

The Netherlands is internationally recognised for research excellence — and, uniquely, most PhD candidates here

are salaried employees rather than scholarship recipients. Here’s the full map of aid available to Nepali students.

University Scholarships

Awarded directly by Dutch universities — from partial tuition waivers to full scholarships covering tuition and living expenses. Sometimes automatic upon admission; sometimes via a separate application.

  • Holland Scholarship (participating universities)
  • Excellence & International Talent Scholarships
  • Erasmus University Scholarships
  • Maastricht High Potential Scholarships

Read more

Need-Based Assistance

Dutch scholarships are primarily merit-based, but some universities and private organisations offer financial assistance to students experiencing hardship. Availability depends on the institution.

  • Tuition assistance
  • Living expense grants
  • Emergency funding
  • Accommodation assistance

Read more

Country-Specific Awards

Some programmes are designed specifically for students from selected countries through government partnerships, universities, or international cooperation. Check university pages and the Study in NL portal for current eligibility.

  • Country of citizenship/li>
  • Academic qualifications
  • Programme of study
  • Participating institution

Read more

Partial Scholarships

Many programmes offer partial financial support to reduce the overall cost of studying in the Netherlands. Often combinable with university funding where permitted.

  • Tuition fee discounts
  • One-time grants
  • Annual scholarships
  • Book & study material allowances

Read more

Merit-Based Scholarships

For students with exceptional academic achievements, leadership qualities, research potential, or outstanding extracurricular accomplishments. Many Dutch universities automatically consider eligible international applicants during admissions.

  • Academic excellence
  • Leadership skills
  • Research achievements
  • Innovation & entrepreneurship

Read more

Government-Funded Scholarships

The Dutch Government, alongside higher education institutions, funds several prestigious programmes. Coverage typically includes a tuition contribution, living allowance, travel, and health insurance where applicable.


  • NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship)
  • Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)
  • Erasmus+ Scholarships
  • Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Scholarships

Study in NL – NL Scholarship / Orange Knowledge Programme / Erasmus+

Privately Funded Scholarships

Private foundations, charitable organisations, and research institutions fund students in specific fields. Many universities also maintain lists of external scholarships for international applicants.

  • Engineering & Information Technology
  • Business & Environmental Sciences
  • Agriculture & Public Health
  • Social Sciences

Read more

Graduate Research Funding

The Netherlands' distinctive strength — most PhD candidates are salaried university employees, not scholarship recipients, drawing a monthly wage rather than a stipend.

  • Doctoral Research Positions (Paid PhD)
  • Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Scholarships
  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
  • Dutch Research Council (NWO) programmes

Dutch Research Council (NWO) / Erasmus Mundus

Scholarship Category - #2

How Education Asia helps you win aid

Every Dutch university has its own scholarship criteria and deadlines, and PhD funding here works differently from almost anywhere else.

Because availability varies so much by institution and programme, it’s important to research early. Our experienced counsellors help you at every step.

Identify universities offering generous scholarships

We identify Dutch universities most likely to offer meaningful financial aid for your profile — from Holland Scholarship participants to paid PhD positions — so you apply where the aid actually is.

Match your profile with the right opportunities

We map your academic record, research interests, and intended field against every scholarship category — university, government, country-specific, private — with honest guidance on where you're most competitive.

Prepare competitive applications & SOPs

We strengthen your Statement of Purpose and supporting documents, coach your essays, and refine every element of your application to maximise your chances of receiving financial aid.

Need Help Finding the Right Scholarships?

Our expert counsellors can help you choose the best scholarship options.

Book a Free Counselling

Frequently Asked Question

No. Every part of our scholarship counselling — mapping, application coaching, SOP drafting, submission review — is included in our standard service. Consistent with our twenty-year founding promise: no service charges for our students, ever.

It's competitive but genuinely achievable for strong applicants — it's offered at a wide range of participating universities rather than a single national pool, which spreads out the competition. Since it's now branded as the NL Scholarship at some institutions, we confirm current naming and eligibility per university before you apply.

Yes, in most cases. Dutch PhD candidates are typically hired as university employees on a fixed-term contract, receiving a monthly salary rather than a stipend. This means your PhD application is closer to a job application — a strong research proposal and supervisor fit matter enormously.

OKP is aimed at working professionals from selected countries rather than fresh graduates, funding short courses and postgraduate study intended to build capacity in specific sectors. It's worth checking if you already have relevant work experience, but it isn't the right route for a first postgraduate degree straight after your bachelor's.

Yes, though most undergraduate aid is partial rather than full. University-specific merit and excellence scholarships are the strongest route, and several are awarded automatically based on your admission profile — always confirm current criteria with your target university.

For a September intake, start 10–12 months in advance. NL Scholarship and university-specific awards are typically decided alongside admission. Paid PhD positions are advertised individually throughout the year like job postings, so we recommend monitoring specific university and research group pages continuously rather than waiting for a single deadline.