The UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship 2027 provides an opportunity for outstanding international students to pursue a master’s degree at Maastricht University in the Netherlands with extensive financial support.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, the scholarship is available for selected master’s programmes connected to the Chemelot Campus and Maastricht Health Campus, which are part of the Brightlands innovation ecosystem in Limburg.
Only two scholarships will be awarded for the academic year. The programme is aimed at high-achieving students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname who demonstrate excellent academic performance, personal development potential and a strong interest in contributing to the Brightlands community.
Successful scholars will receive support towards tuition fees, living costs, health and liability insurance, visa expenses and pre-academic training.
Scholarship Summary
- Scholarship name: UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship 2027
- University: Maastricht University
- Country: Netherlands
- Study level: Master’s degree
- Academic year: 2027–2028
- Number of scholarships: 2
- Eligible applicants: Students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname
- Funding: Fully funded
- Applications open: 1 October 2026
- Master’s programme deadline: 10 December 2026
- Scholarship deadline: 1 February 2027
- Duration: 13 months for one-year programmes or 25 months for two-year programmes
About the UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship
Brightlands is an innovation network in the Dutch province of Limburg that connects universities, researchers, companies, entrepreneurs and students.
Its four campuses focus on areas such as chemistry and materials, health, agrifood, data science and smart digital services. Depending on the selected programme, students may be connected with Brightlands locations in Maastricht, Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen or Venlo.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, the UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship is connected to selected programmes affiliated with the Chemelot Campus and Maastricht Health Campus.
The scholarship is intended for students who combine strong academic performance with evidence of personal development, community involvement and an interest in contributing to the Brightlands ecosystem.
What the Scholarship Covers
The scholarship provides financial support for the major costs associated with studying at Maastricht University.
For students enrolled in a one-year master’s programme, the living allowance is approximately €20,150 for 13 months.
For students enrolled in a two-year master’s programme, the living allowance is approximately €38,750 for 25 months.
The scholarship package includes:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Health and liability insurance
- Visa application costs
- Pre-Academic Training costs
- Participation in the International Student Ambassador Programme (ISAP)
The scholarship therefore provides support throughout the study period and also covers several expenses involved in relocating to the Netherlands.
Thesis Internship Programme
Scholarship recipients are required to participate in the Thesis Internship Programme (TIP).
As part of this programme, scholars complete their master’s thesis based on an assignment provided by a company connected to the relevant Brightlands campus.
This gives students the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to practical projects involving research, innovation and industry.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is intended for high-performing international students who are applying for an eligible Maastricht University master’s programme for the 2027–2028 academic year.
Applicants must satisfy both the general scholarship requirements and the admission requirements of their chosen master’s programme.
Students should check the list of participating programmes before beginning their application.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Be a national of a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland or Suriname.
- Meet the requirements for obtaining an entry visa and residence permit for the Netherlands.
- Not hold dual nationality from an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or Suriname.
- Have applied to an eligible Maastricht University master’s programme for the 2027–2028 academic year.
- Complete the master’s programme application and meet the relevant admission requirements by 10 December 2026.
- Meet the specific admission requirements of the chosen master’s programme.
- Have not previously participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands. Students who previously completed an exchange programme in the Netherlands may still be eligible.
- Be no older than 35 years on 1 September 2027.
- Have achieved a GPA equivalent to at least 7.5 out of 10.
- Be willing to participate as an active Maastricht University and Brightlands ambassador.
- Submit only one scholarship application and apply for one scholarship.
Preference may be given to applicants who have not previously obtained a master’s degree.
Applicants who currently hold a residence permit from another Schengen country should also carefully review the additional residence requirements before applying.
Admission to Maastricht University
Before applying for the scholarship, applicants must apply for an eligible master’s programme at Maastricht University.
Applications for participating programmes open from 1 October 2026.
To remain eligible for the scholarship, your complete master’s programme application must meet the university’s admission requirements by 10 December 2026.
This means prospective applicants should begin the university admission process well before the scholarship deadline in February.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance.
A minimum GPA equivalent to 7.5 out of 10 is required.
Applicants must provide an official university transcript or another document confirming their latest academic results. They must also provide documentation explaining the grading system used by their previous institution.
For example, applicants whose university uses a four-point grading scale may need to demonstrate that their results correspond to at least 3 out of 4, depending on the applicable grading conversion.
Age Requirement
Applicants must be no older than 35 years of age on 1 September 2027.
Previous Study in the Netherlands
Applicants must not have previously participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands.
However, students who previously participated in an exchange programme in the Netherlands may still apply.
The scholarship information also states that preference may be given to candidates who have not previously obtained a master’s degree.
Brightlands Ambassador Commitment
Scholarship recipients are expected to represent Maastricht University and Brightlands during and after their studies.
Successful applicants must commit to sharing their experiences through at least one information session for students or other stakeholders.
This ambassadorial role forms part of the scholarship programme.
Selection Process
The scholarship selection process takes place in several stages.
Step 1 involves an initial review by the Maastricht University International Services Desk after the 1 February 2027 deadline. The university checks whether submitted applications are complete.
In February 2027, complete applications are forwarded to the relevant Maastricht University faculty.
The faculty and programme coordinators then assess the applications according to the scholarship selection criteria and nominate a shortlist of candidates for consideration by the Brightlands Talent Scholarship selection committee.
Shortlisted applicants are invited to an online interview. The selection committee includes representatives from Maastricht University and Brightlands campus management.
Applicants who are not immediately selected may be placed on a reserve list if one of the selected candidates declines the scholarship.
Applicants are expected to receive information about their status in April 2027, with final selected, waitlisted or rejected statuses communicated by the beginning of May 2027 at the latest.
Successful applicants must sign and return their scholarship award letter to the Maastricht University International Services Desk.
Important Dates
1 October 2026: Applications open for participating master’s programmes.
10 December 2026: Deadline for scholarship applicants to complete their master’s programme application and meet the relevant admission requirements.
1 February 2027 at 23:59: Final deadline for the UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship application.
February 2027: Complete scholarship applications are forwarded to the relevant faculties for assessment.
April 2027: Applicants are expected to receive information about their application status.
Beginning of May 2027: Final scholarship decisions are expected to be communicated.
August 2027: Selected scholars participate in the mandatory two-week UM Pre-Academic Training.
September 2027: The 2027–2028 academic year begins.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare all supporting documents before submitting the scholarship application because the form can only be submitted once.
The required documents include:
Curriculum Vitae
Your CV should be current and no longer than two A4 pages.
It should provide relevant information about your education, employment history, extracurricular activities, community involvement, awards and other achievements.
Applicants should use the CV to demonstrate evidence of active citizenship, leadership and involvement outside their academic studies where applicable.
Motivation Letter
Applicants must submit a motivation letter using the official Maastricht University scholarship template.
The letter should explain your reasons for applying, your academic and professional ambitions and why you should be considered for the scholarship.
Proof of Academic Excellence
Applicants must provide their latest university transcript or an official document confirming their GPA.
A separate document explaining the university’s grading system must also be submitted.
The academic record must demonstrate results equivalent to at least 7.5 out of 10.
Personal Statement of Financial Need
Applicants must explain why financial support is important for their studies and describe their personal financial circumstances.
Reference Letter
A reference letter from a suitable academic or professional referee is required.
Suitable referees may include:
- Former professors
- Lecturers
- Thesis supervisors
- Employers
Family members cannot act as referees.
Reference letters must be dated no earlier than February 2026 and should follow the official Maastricht University reference letter guidelines.
Referee Contact Details
Applicants must provide the details of one referee.
The information should include:
- The relationship between the applicant and referee
- The referee’s work telephone number, including the country calling code
- The referee’s institutional or professional email address
Applicants should use a professional or institutional email address because personal email addresses may not be accepted for verification.
How to Apply for the UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship 2027
The application process consists of two main stages.
Step 1: Apply for an Eligible Master’s Programme
First, identify a master’s programme included in the list of participating programmes for 2027–2028.
Apply through Studielink and complete the Maastricht University admission process.
After submitting your application, you will receive a Maastricht University student ID number. This number is required to complete the scholarship application.
It is important to remember that starting an admission application is not enough. Your application file must be complete and meet the relevant admission requirements by 10 December 2026.
Step 2: Submit the Scholarship Application
After receiving your Maastricht University student number, complete the UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship application form.
Upload your required documents, including your CV, motivation letter, academic records, financial statement and reference letter.
Review every document and referee detail carefully before submitting because applicants can only submit the scholarship application once.
Participating Master’s Programmes
The scholarship is not available for every master’s programme offered by Maastricht University.
Only programmes included in the official list of participating programmes for the 2027–2028 academic year are eligible.
Applicants should therefore check the official programme list before applying for admission.
Why the Two Deadlines Matter
There are two separate deadlines in the application process.
The first is 10 December 2026, which is the deadline for scholarship applicants to complete their application for an eligible Maastricht University master’s programme and satisfy the relevant admission requirements.
The second is 1 February 2027 at 23:59, which is the deadline for submitting the scholarship application.
Applicants should not wait until February to begin the university admission process because doing so could mean missing the earlier programme deadline.
Tips for Preparing Your Application
Because only two scholarships are available, applicants should prepare their applications thoroughly.
Start by confirming that your academic results meet the required GPA equivalent and that your chosen master’s programme is included among the participating programmes.
Your CV should present your most relevant academic, professional, extracurricular and community achievements in a clear and concise format.
Your motivation letter should be specific to the scholarship rather than using a general statement that could apply to any university or funding opportunity. Explain your academic interests, career goals, reasons for choosing the programme and interest in the Brightlands ecosystem.
Choose a referee who knows your academic or professional work well and can provide a detailed recommendation that follows the university’s requirements.
Finally, review every document before submitting the scholarship form because replacements cannot be made after submission.
Who Is This Scholarship For?
The UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship is designed for international students who:
- Come from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname
- Want to pursue a master’s degree in the Netherlands
- Have excellent academic results
- Meet the minimum GPA requirement
- Are applying to an eligible Maastricht University master’s programme
- Have an interest in research, innovation, entrepreneurship or related fields
- Can demonstrate extracurricular or community involvement
- Show personal development potential
- Are interested in contributing to the Brightlands community
Application Deadline
The final deadline for the UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship 2027 is 1 February 2027 at 23:59.
However, applicants must complete their eligible Maastricht University master’s programme application and satisfy the relevant admission requirements by 10 December 2026.
Official Application Links
Applicants should use the official university websites and application systems when applying.
Maastricht University Scholarship Information:
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/studeren/toelating-inschrijving/financing-your-studies/scholarships/um-nl-brightlands-talent
Participating Master’s Programmes:
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/file/overzicht-programmas-umnlbts-2027-2028pdf
Maastricht University Master’s Programmes:
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/education/master/programmes
Studielink:
http://www.studielink.nl/
Scholarship Application Form:
https://corsa-forms.mumc.maastrichtuniversity.nl/user/login?destination=%2Fform%2Fssc-scholarships
Netherlands MVV and Long-Stay Visa Information:
https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/mvv-long-stay
Maastricht University International Services Desk:
scholarships@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship fully funded?
The scholarship provides extensive financial support, including tuition fees, living expenses, health and liability insurance, visa application costs and pre-academic training. The published living allowance is approximately €20,150 for a 13-month programme or €38,750 for a 25-month programme.
How many scholarships are available?
Two scholarships are available for the 2027–2028 academic year.
Can students from Africa apply?
Yes. Students from African countries can apply if they meet the nationality, academic, admission and other eligibility requirements.
Can I apply if I have not yet been admitted to Maastricht University?
You can begin the admission process before receiving a final admission decision. However, you must apply to an eligible master’s programme and complete the required admission file by 10 December 2026. You will also need a Maastricht University student ID number to submit the scholarship application.
What GPA do I need?
You need academic results equivalent to at least 7.5 out of 10. You must also provide documentation explaining your university’s grading system.
Can I apply for more than one UM NL Brightlands scholarship?
No. Applicants can submit only one scholarship application and apply for one scholarship.
Can I change my documents after submitting the application?
No. The application can only be submitted once, so applicants should ensure that all documents and referee information are correct before submission.
Do I need a reference letter?
Yes. A reference letter from an eligible academic or professional referee is required. Family members cannot act as referees.
Does the scholarship cover visa costs?
Yes. Visa application costs are included in the scholarship package for successful recipients.
Does the scholarship cover tuition fees?
Yes. Tuition fees are included in the scholarship.
What happens after I submit my application?
The Maastricht University International Services Desk first checks applications for completeness. Eligible applications are then assessed by the relevant faculty and programme coordinators. Shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview before the final selection is made.
When will the results be announced?
Applicants are expected to receive information about their status in April 2027. Final selected, waitlisted or rejected statuses should be communicated by the beginning of May 2027 at the latest.
Do scholarship recipients have to participate in the Thesis Internship Programme?
Yes. Participation in the Thesis Internship Programme is a mandatory component of the scholarship. Recipients complete their thesis based on an assignment provided by a company connected to the relevant Brightlands campus.
Final Reminder
The UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship 2027 provides international students with an opportunity to pursue an eligible master’s degree at Maastricht University with extensive financial support.
Prospective applicants should begin preparing early because the university admission deadline comes before the scholarship deadline. Your complete application for an eligible master’s programme must meet the relevant requirements by 10 December 2026, while the scholarship application must be submitted by 1 February 2027 at 23:59.
Before applying, check the participating programmes, confirm that you meet the academic and nationality requirements, prepare your supporting documents and select an appropriate referee.
Applicants should always verify the latest eligibility criteria, participating programmes, deadlines and application instructions through the official Maastricht University website before submitting an application.
Disclaimer: OpportunityShape shares educational and scholarship opportunities to help international applicants discover study opportunities around the world. OpportunityShape is not affiliated with Maastricht University and does not guarantee admission or scholarship selection.
