Leiden University Fund – LUF Lutfia Rabbani Scholarship Fund: Extra Gaza Scholarship

What you get

You receive up to 30,000 EUR for one academic year to study a Master's programme at Leiden University in the Netherlands. The award first pays your tuition fees and the university's housing placement fee. The rest is paid to you in monthly instalments. Note that this is not a full scholarship: your travel, rent and other living costs are not covered, and you still need to prove you have enough money for your student visa. The money comes from the Lutfia Rabbani Foundation together with the Leiden University Fund. This extra scholarship is set up specifically for students from Gaza.

Who can apply

• Where you're from: You are a student from Gaza. You can apply even if you currently live outside Gaza.
• Level: You are starting a one-year Master's at Leiden University, or you are in the second year of a two-year Master's there.
• Admission: You do not need a full acceptance letter. A confirmation that you have applied to Leiden University, plus your student number, is enough.
• Field of study: Open to many subjects, including archaeology, humanities, medicine, law, social and behavioural sciences, science, governance, and African and Asian studies.
• Grades: You have excellent academic results.
• Financial need: You cannot fully fund your studies yourself.
• Motivation: Your goals fit the foundation's aim of building dialogue and understanding between Europe and the Arab world.

How to apply

First apply to your chosen Master's programme at Leiden University through Studielink to get your personal student number. Then apply directly to the Lutfia Rabbani Foundation. Applications open on 1 January 2026, and the scholarship deadline is 31 March 2026 at 23:59 CET. Apply to Leiden by 1 February for the September intake, because processing takes 4 to 6 weeks.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is cut narrowly. It is only for students from Gaza heading to one specific university, so the eligible group is small compared with open scholarships. You also only need to confirm you have applied, not show a full acceptance letter, which removes a barrier that stops many people. If you clearly meet these conditions, have strong grades and can document your financial need, your prospects are good. Applying early helps you keep to the tight processing timeline.