Leiden University Fund – Lutfia Rabbani Scholarship Fund

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 covers your tuition fee and the university's housing fee. Whatever is left of the 30,000 EUR is then paid to you monthly. You also join a mentoring programme, which pairs you with an experienced adviser for personal and professional guidance, and you get access to the Lutfia Rabbani Foundation's network. One scholarship is awarded each year, run jointly by the Lutfia Rabbani Foundation and the Leiden University Fund. Note that this is not a full scholarship: it does not cover your travel, your accommodation deposit or all of your living costs, so you need to fund the rest yourself.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You have an official acceptance letter for a one-year Master's at Leiden University, or you are already in the second year of a two-year Master's there.
• Nationality: You are a national of an Arab country: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates or Yemen.
• Field of study: Open across the participating faculties, including Archaeology, Humanities, Medicine (LUMC), Governance and Global Affairs, Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Science, and the African Studies Centre.
• Grades: You have an excellent academic record.
• Motivation: You want to promote Euro-Arab dialogue and understanding, which is the foundation's main goal.
• Financial need: You cannot fully fund your studies yourself. You must also prove you have enough money for your student visa.
• Gaza route for 2026: If you are a student from Gaza (inside or outside Gaza), you do not need an acceptance letter in advance. A confirmation that you have applied to Leiden University is enough, and you include your student number in your application.

How to apply

You apply through the Lutfia Rabbani Foundation's online portal by 31 March, 23:59 CET. Applications open on 1 January each year. Because you normally need an acceptance letter from Leiden University first, apply to the university by 1 February for the September intake, as processing there takes four to six weeks. Selection is based on your academic record, your personal growth plan, your motivation and your financial need.

How realistic are your chances?

The award is cut very narrowly: only one scholarship goes out each year, to a Master's student from a specific list of Arab countries heading to a single university. That keeps the eligible group small, but a single high-profile award still means real competition among strong applicants. If you clearly fit the criteria, can show genuine financial need, and write a convincing case around Euro-Arab dialogue, your prospects are reasonable. The Gaza route for 2026 adds a further chance.