Fulbright Commission the Netherlands - Fulbright scholarship for Dutch graduate students

Fulbright scholarship for Dutch graduate students

You receive up to 50,000 USD (about 46,000 EUR) for one academic year of at least 9 months in the United States, usually from August or September to May. The money is paid in dollars after you arrive. It covers tuition and living costs, but may not cover everything, especially for a master's programme. Research students may receive less than 50,000 USD, depending on the US region. On top of the grant you get partial health insurance, help with your visa (including a waiver of visa fees), preparation meetings in the Netherlands, enrichment seminars in the US, and access to the Fulbright alumni network (former Fulbright grant holders). The programme is run by the Fulbright Commission the Netherlands, funded by the Dutch and US governments. If you win a Fulbright, you are automatically considered for extra funding, such as a 5,000 EUR Ivy Circle top-up or, for a full-time MBA at Harvard Business School, about 3,000 EUR.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You hold Dutch citizenship. Dutch citizens living abroad still apply in the Netherlands. You may not also hold US citizenship or a US residence permit, or plan to apply for one.
• Degree so far: You have a bachelor's degree from a Dutch university or hogeschool (university of applied sciences), or an equivalent, before you leave. Medical students need their qualifying medical exam (artsexamen) first.
• What you go for: A first or second master's, a non-degree programme, or graduate-level research at a US university. A full PhD programme (first year) is not funded.
• Admission: You are admitted, or being admitted, to a graduate programme in the US. You can win the grant on condition that you get in.
• Field of study: All subjects are welcome, except studies with direct clinical patient contact (for example medicine, veterinary medicine, psychology, nursing or physiotherapy where you treat patients).
• Age: No age limit. Working professionals can apply too, for example for an MBA.
• Where you live now: You are not already studying or living in the US.
• Grades and engagement: You have consistently good academic results and extracurricular activities. Strong marks alone are not enough. The selectors also look for social and cultural skills and the ability to represent the Netherlands well abroad.

How to apply

You apply online in English through the IIE application portal by 21 January 2027, 12:00 (Dutch time). Include your reference letters. Shortlisted candidates are invited to a roughly 20-minute interview in English in March. You must pass this interview to receive the award.

How realistic are your chances?

With about 6 grants a year and a success rate of 20 to 25 percent in recent years, this is competitive but not out of reach. The selectors weigh personality, motivation and your ability to act as an ambassador as heavily as grades. A clear record of extracurricular engagement is what sets applicants apart. If you fit the field rules and can show more than good marks, your prospects are solid.