Netherlands Government Scholarships 2026-2027: Complete Guide After Orange Knowledge Programme Ended

Studying in the Netherlands has always been a top choice for international students, thanks to affordable tuition, English-taught programs, and generous government-backed funding. For years, the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) was the flagship Netherlands Government Scholarship for students from developing countries. However, this article has been updated to reflect the current situation and the real scholarship options available to you today.

Important Update: Orange Knowledge Programme Has Officially Ended

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nuffic (the Netherlands Organisation for Internationalisation in Education) have confirmed that the Orange Knowledge Programme officially closed on 31 December 2024. There are no new application rounds for OKP in 2025, 2026, or any year after that. You can read the official confirmation and impact summary here: Nuffic - Orange Knowledge Programme.

If you were hoping to apply for OKP, that door has closed. But the good news is that the Netherlands still offers several active, government-supported, and institution-backed scholarships for international students in 2026-2027. Below, we break down every legitimate alternative so you don't waste time chasing a scholarship that no longer exists.

Looking for other fully funded options right now? Check out the Chevening Scholarship 2027 in UK, one of the most popular fully funded scholarships for international students.

Current Netherlands Scholarships for International Students (2026-2027)

1. NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship)

The scholarship long known as the Holland Scholarship was officially renamed the NL Scholarship in June 2023, as part of Nuffic's move to align it with the national "Study in NL" brand. It remains jointly funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science together with participating Dutch universities, and is the most active, ongoing Netherlands government-supported scholarship for non-EEA (European Economic Area) students today.

1. Award Amount: €5,000 (one-time payment, usually applied in the first year of study - note this does not cover full tuition)
2. Degree Level: Bachelor's and Master's programs
3. Eligibility: Non-EEA nationals applying to a participating Dutch university for a full-time Bachelor's or Master's degree; applicants must not already hold a degree from a Dutch institution
4. Intake: Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year opened on 1 November 2025; deadlines vary by university
5. Application Route: Directly through the chosen university's admissions or scholarship office
6. Official Information: Study in NL - NL Scholarship | Nuffic - NL Scholarship

Since coverage and deadlines vary slightly between universities, applicants should always confirm exact requirements on their chosen institution's official scholarship page.

2. Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS)

The Orange Tulip Scholarship is coordinated through Nuffic's network of Neso (Netherlands Education Support Offices) in specific partner countries, together with Dutch universities and, in some cases, corporate sponsors. It's important to note that the centralized OTS program has been discontinued in some countries (for example, the Neso India-coordinated round ended in 2024), though several Dutch universities continue to run their own OTS-branded scholarships independently for eligible Neso countries.

1. Countries Historically Covered: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Colombia, and others (confirm current list with your local Neso office)
2. Degree Level: Bachelor's, Master's, and occasionally PhD, depending on the university
3. Coverage: Typically partial tuition support (roughly €5,000–€15,000 off tuition), not full funding
4. How to Apply: Through the Nuffic Neso office in your home country, or directly via participating university scholarship pages
5. Official Information: Nuffic - International Programmes

3. StuNed Scholarship (Indonesia) - Also Discontinued

The StuNed (Studeren in Nederland) Scholarship was a long-running Dutch government scholarship for Indonesian professionals, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by Nuffic Neso Indonesia. According to Nuffic's own official page, StuNed is no longer accepting new applications, similar to the Orange Knowledge Programme.

1. Status: Closed to new applicants (per official Nuffic confirmation)
2. Official Information: Nuffic - StuNed

If you're an Indonesian applicant, it's worth checking directly with Neso Indonesia for any newly launched bilateral programs, since the Netherlands and Indonesia have introduced replacement schemes before, such as the Cultural Heritage Scholarship Programme.

Looking for other option in europe? Check out the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship one of the most popular fully funded europe scholarships for international students.

University-Specific Excellence Scholarships in the Netherlands

Beyond government and joint-funded programs, most top Dutch universities run their own merit-based scholarships for international students. These are highly competitive but often fully funded, covering tuition and living costs together.

1. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship - University of Amsterdam
2. Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship - TU Delft
3. Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
4. Utrecht Excellence Scholarship
5. University of Groningen Scholarship

These scholarships generally require a strong academic record, a motivation letter, and sometimes an interview. Deadlines usually fall several months before the academic year begins, so early preparation matters.

Degree Programs and Fields of Study Available

One of the biggest differences between the old Orange Knowledge Programme and today's active scholarships is how degree eligibility works. OKP restricted applicants to a fixed list of priority fields. The current scholarships are far more open.

Degree Levels You Can Apply For

1. Bachelor's Degree Programs - Full-time, English-taught undergraduate programs at participating Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences
2. Master's Degree Programs - The most widely funded degree level across NL Scholarship, Orange Tulip Scholarship, and university-specific excellence awards; duration typically 12-24 months
3. PhD Positions - Not usually covered by the scholarships above, but many Dutch universities fund PhD candidates directly as paid research positions rather than through a scholarship application

Fields of Study Covered

For the NL Scholarship, eligibility is program-based rather than field-based. In most cases, all English-taught Bachelor's and Master's programs at a participating institution qualify, with two common exceptions: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's programs and certain joint-degree programs run with partner universities abroad (these have separate funding routes). This means the NL Scholarship effectively spans every major academic discipline, including:

1. Engineering and Technology
2. Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Life Sciences
3. Business, Economics, and Management
4. Law, Public Administration, and International Relations
5. Computer Science, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence
6. Social Sciences, Humanities, and Communication
7. Health Sciences and Public Health
8. Water Management and Sustainability Studies
9. Education and Teacher Training
10. Arts, Design, and Architecture

For the Orange Tulip Scholarship, available fields depend on the specific package your home country's Neso office negotiates with partner Dutch universities each year, so the subject list changes annually. University-specific excellence scholarships (Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, TU Delft's Justus & Louise van Effen, Leiden's LExS, Utrecht Excellence, Groningen) generally cover the full range of that university's Master's programs, though a small number of highly specialized or joint programs may be excluded.

Since exact program eligibility changes year to year, always confirm the current list using Studyfinder or by checking your target university's own scholarship page before applying. Dutch universities are particularly well regarded internationally in specific niches - for example, Wageningen University for agriculture and environmental sciences, TU Delft for engineering and water management, and Leiden University for law and international relations.

You may also like to check out: 10 Best American Scholarships 2026 for Undergraduate, Masters, PhD if you're comparing degree program options across countries.

---

Benefits of Netherlands Government and University Scholarships

Whether you're applying for the NL Scholarship, Orange Tulip Scholarship, or a university-specific award, most Netherlands scholarships share similar benefits:

1. Tuition fee reduction or full waiver, depending on the program
2. Monthly living stipend to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses
3. Travel grant for international flights in some programs
4. Health and travel insurance coverage
5. Access to a high-quality, internationally recognized education system
6. Opportunity to build a global professional and academic network
7. English-taught programs, so Dutch language skills are not usually required

General Eligibility Criteria

While each scholarship has its own specific requirements, most Netherlands scholarships for international students share these general conditions:

1. Applicant must be a non-EEA/non-Dutch national (for most government-backed scholarships)
2. Must hold an offer of admission, or be in the process of applying, to a participating Dutch institution
3. Must meet the academic requirements of the chosen Bachelor's or Master's program
4. English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), unless applying for a program that waives this requirement
5. Some scholarships require relevant work experience, especially those aimed at mid-career professionals

Always check the official scholarship page of the specific program and the receiving university, since eligibility can differ by country and by institution.

---

Documents Required for Application

Most Netherlands scholarship applications will request the following documents:

1. Valid passport copy
2. Academic transcripts and degree certificates
3. Letter of motivation or statement of purpose
4. Two academic or professional recommendation letters
5. Updated CV/resume
6. Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), where required
7. University admission letter or proof of application

How to Apply for Netherlands Scholarships in 2026-2027

1. Choose your program: Use Studyfinder to search for Bachelor's or Master's programs at Dutch universities.
2. Check scholarship eligibility: Visit the scholarship section of your chosen university's website, or Study in NL's official scholarship finder, to confirm which scholarships (NL Scholarship, university-specific awards, etc.) apply to your program.
3. Apply to the university first: Most Dutch scholarships require you to have applied for, or been accepted into, the academic program before your scholarship application is considered.
4. Submit the scholarship application: Follow the specific instructions and deadlines provided by the university or the Nuffic Neso office in your country.
5. Wait for the decision and prepare your visa documents once you receive an offer.

Read more about visa requirements here: Netherlands Student Visa Process

Other Fully Funded Scholarships You Can Explore

If you're building a shortlist of scholarships beyond the Netherlands, these fully funded opportunities are currently open or recently updated:

• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-2028 - Fully funded scholarships in Switzerland
• ARES Scholarship 2027/28 in Belgium - Fully funded Belgian scholarship program
• Marshall Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits, and Complete Application Guide - Prestigious UK scholarship guide

If you're still exploring your options broadly, our guide on Scholarships for College Students 2026-2027 covers deadlines and how to apply across multiple countries.