VUvereniging - VU internship grant

VU internship grant

You get a one-off grant of 750 EUR (rate from 1 January 2026) towards a mandatory internship, research placement or clinical placement outside the EU. The money comes from the VUvereniging, the support association of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. It sets aside 30,000 EUR a year for these grants. The grant helps VU students on a tight budget go ahead with the placement.

Who can apply

• University: You study at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, in a Bachelor's or Master's programme.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.
• Financial need: You receive now, or received in the past, a supplementary grant (aanvullende beurs) from DUO, the Dutch state's student finance body. This proves your limited means.
• Where you go: Your placement is in a country outside the EU. Switzerland does not count, because a separate grant (SEMP) covers it.
• Type of placement: The internship is a required part of your study programme and approved by your examination board or internship supervisor. Extra placements outside your programme do not count.
• Length: The placement lasts at least 2 months (60 days).
• First time: You have not received this grant before.

How to apply

First register your placement abroad in your personal dashboard on vu.nl, at least 1 month before it starts. Then apply for the grant through the same dashboard and upload the required documents. Grants are awarded first come, first served, as long as the yearly budget lasts.

How realistic are your chances?

This grant is cut narrowly. Only VU students with a DUO supplementary grant doing an approved placement outside the EU can apply, so the eligible group is small. If you clearly meet those conditions, your main risk is timing, because the money is handed out in order of arrival until the 30,000 EUR runs out. Apply as early as you can: the grants for 2026 are already fully awarded, and new applications are being processed for placements in 2027.