Erasmus University Rotterdam - Erasmus Trustfonds and TSH Changemaker Scholarship

Erasmus Trustfonds and TSH Changemaker Scholarship

You get your statutory tuition fee covered plus 600 EUR per month for living costs, together worth around 9,895 EUR for one academic year. You also get one year of free housing in a Social Hub residence (The Student Hotel) and a place in a support programme: 10 career and personal-development workshops, one-to-one mentoring (regular guidance from an experienced professional), small discussion circles on social projects, community events, and lifelong membership of the Changemaker alumni network. If you are a non-EU/EEA student who pays the higher institutional fee, your faculty may also waive part of it. Erasmus University Rotterdam and the TSH Talent Foundation give the award to master's students who face barriers to studying.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are starting a master's programme (including a research master) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
• Admission: Your place is confirmed with no outstanding conditions at the start.
• Faculty: Your programme is at one of these faculties: Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Health Policy & Management, Rotterdam School of Management, Philosophy, or Erasmus MC (medical research masters).
• Background: You belong to a disadvantaged or under-represented group. Examples: limited financial, educational, social or health resources; refugee or newcomer status; ethnic or religious marginalisation; a physical or mental disability; being the first in your family at university; or an LGBTQI+ identity with safety risks.
• Engagement: You are active in your community and willing to take part in the Changemaker alumni network.
• Grades: You are a strong student, usually around a Dutch grade average of 8.0 on the 1-to-10 scale, depending on the faculty.
• Nationality: This varies by faculty. Some (Health Policy & Management, Erasmus MC) require EU/EEA nationality, eligibility for the statutory tuition fee, and that you have never studied at a Dutch institution before.

How to apply

First apply and get admitted to a master's programme at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Then submit your scholarship documents through the faculty before its deadline. These usually include a motivation letter, CV and budget plan, plus grades for some faculties. Deadlines differ by faculty, for example 1 March for Health Policy & Management and 1 April for Erasmus MC. Only complete applications are reviewed.

How realistic are your chances?

This award targets a specific group: strong master's students at one university who also face real barriers and can show community engagement, so the eligible pool is narrower than for open scholarships. The foundation is growing fast, with around 120 scholarships planned for 2025/26 and 160 for 2026/27, which helps your odds. If you clearly fit an under-represented group, meet the grade bar and apply well before your faculty's deadline, your prospects are solid.