VSBfonds - VSB fonds Scholarships for Dutch students

What you get

You will receive up to 10,000 EUR for a full study programme abroad lasting two academic years. For shorter stays, the maximum amount is 7,000 EUR. This grant is intended to fund a Master’s programme or a shorter course of study at a recognised foreign higher education institution following the completion of your Dutch degree. If you have a functional impairment, additional funding may be available to you. The VSBfonds is a Dutch charitable foundation that aims to enable students to acquire knowledge abroad and bring it back to the Netherlands. The grant will never cover all your costs, so you will need to contribute part of the cost yourself. You may combine it with other funding, provided the total amount remains within the limits of what you reasonably require.

Who can apply

• Degree: You have obtained a Dutch Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or are about to graduate. For the 2027 round, your graduation date must be between 1 March 2025 and 31 December 2027.
• Institution: You have graduated from one of the approximately 37 Dutch universities and hogescholen (universities of applied sciences) that collaborate with the VSBfonds. Almost all of them are included, but please check whether your institution is on the list.
• Where you go: You are studying full-time at a recognised university abroad and are moving to that country for the entire duration of your studies. Exchange programmes, work placements, final-year dissertations, minor subjects and online degree programmes do not count. The degree programme must not form part of a Dutch study programme.
• Duration: Your stay abroad will last between 3 and 24 months. If it lasts longer than this, the scholarship will only cover the first 24 months.
• Nationality: You must be a Dutch national. Non-Dutch applicants may still apply if they speak Dutch, are well-integrated into Dutch society, plan to return to the Netherlands, and receive student finance from DUO.
• Field of study: All compartments are open.
• Motivation: You can clearly explain why you wish to undertake this particular degree programme and how your community and Dutch society will benefit from it. This is more important than your grades, which do not play a part in the selection process.
• Financial need: You really need the money urgently. You must submit a financial plan along with your application and answer questions about your financial situation.

How to apply

There is one call for proposals per year. The application period begins on 1 November and ends on 1 March for projects starting after 1 July. You should complete the online quick scan, contact the VSBfonds liaison officer at your Dutch institution and submit the online application form. Your institution will then review your application and invite you to a short interview or presentation before nominating candidates to the VSBfonds. You do not need to have been admitted to the foreign higher education institution at the time of application.

How realistic are your chances?

Recently, around a third of applicants have been awarded the scholarship; so whilst competition is fierce, the chances are by no means slim. Academic grades are not the decisive factor. A compelling, personal statement of motivation and a clear explanation of how you intend to give back to society will make applicants stand out – alongside evidence of genuine financial hardship. Once your university has nominated you, your chances are high; you should therefore make a particular effort to put forward a compelling case at this stage.