VSBfonds - VSBfonds Beurs

What the VSBfonds Beurs gives you

You get up to 10,000 EUR to fund a full study abroad after your degree, or up to 4,000 EUR for a shorter stay abroad if you are at a vocational college. The exact amount depends on which track fits you. VSBfonds is a Dutch foundation. It funds two programmes under one name: a study grant for hbo/wo students (higher education and university) and a shorter experience grant for mbo students (vocational education).

• hbo/wo track: Up to 10,000 EUR for a study programme abroad that lasts a full 2 years, or up to 7,000 EUR for a shorter one. It runs for at least 3 and at most 24 consecutive months.
• mbo track: Up to 4,000 EUR for a stay abroad of at least 2 weeks.

You pay part of the costs yourself, and you can combine the grant with other funding. If you have a disability, extra budget is possible, decided case by case.

Who can apply

• Your school: You study at a Dutch institution that partners with VSBfonds (37 hbo/wo institutions and 22 mbo institutions take part).
• Degree level (hbo/wo): You finish at least a bachelor's degree at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences, then go abroad for a new master's or short study programme.
• Your plan abroad: Your study or experience abroad is a new project of its own, not a required part of your Dutch course. Exchanges, internships, thesis work and minors do not count.
• Full-time and on-site (hbo/wo): You move abroad and study full time in person at a recognised foreign institution. Online study does not count.
• Age (mbo): You are at least 18 when you leave. You can apply while still studying or shortly after your diploma.
• Nationality: You have Dutch nationality. Exceptions are possible if you speak Dutch, are rooted in Dutch society and receive Dutch student support (DUO).
• Motivation and need: You show personal and social reasons for going, and that you need the money.

How to apply

There is one round a year. Applications open in November and close on 1 March, for plans starting after 1 July. You apply online through the VSBfonds portal and work with the VSBfonds contact person at your own institution. In March your institution runs a written and oral selection, including a short interview or pitch of about 20 minutes.

How realistic are your chances?

Your prospects are better than you might expect: last year around 34% of hbo/wo applicants and 63% of mbo applicants got a grant. Each institution runs its own pre-selection and forwards only its own candidates, so a clear, motivated case that shows both your social engagement and your financial need is what carries you. Because you must study at a partner institution and organise a real plan abroad, the applicant pool is already limited to committed students.