VU Amsterdam - Summer School Scholarships

What the VU Amsterdam Summer School scholarships cover

Two separate awards help you attend a VU Amsterdam Summer School course. The Equal Access Scholarship covers the full tuition fee of one course. In 2026, courses cost between 750 EUR and 1,500 EUR, depending on the length and your status. Where available, it also covers an accommodation option from the summer school's own offer. It is a one-off award: you get the tuition and accommodation reimbursed after the scholarship is granted, not paid monthly. Each applicant can pick only one course. The Green Travel Grant reimburses part of your travel cost if you come by an eco-friendly route: 100 EUR by train, or 50 EUR by bus. Both awards come from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Who can apply

• Course place: You have applied to a VU Amsterdam Summer School course for the same year and can be admitted to it.
• Study phase: You are a future student, a current student or a PhD candidate (a researcher working towards a doctorate).
• Field of study: Any subject is fine, since summer school courses cover every discipline.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply, and there is no residence restriction.
• Background: The Equal Access Scholarship is aimed at applicants from less privileged backgrounds, so a strong case about your circumstances helps. There is no fixed income limit.

How to apply

First submit your regular course application. Then send a separate scholarship application through the VU online form. For the 2026 cycle, the scholarship window runs from 12 February to 31 March (23:59 CET), or until 150 applications are received, whichever comes first. You hear back in May. You answer four short questions (max 150 words each) about your motivation and how you would use what you learn. Your answers are scored out of 20 points, and using AI writing tools costs you points. You apply for the Green Travel Grant later, through a newsletter link sent to confirmed participants, and winners are drawn by lottery.

How realistic are your chances?

The Equal Access Scholarship closes at 150 applications, so applying early in the window genuinely matters. Selection rests on four written answers judged for depth and originality. That means a well-argued, honest application about your motivation and situation counts more than grades alone. The Green Travel Grant is decided purely by lottery among confirmed participants, so there your chances come down to luck.