Over 4,500 Indian students currently study in the Netherlands each year. The Netherlands is one of the most scholarship-friendly destinations in Europe, with government-backed programs, university grants, and private foundations all offering funding to international applicants. Still, fewer than 1 in 4 students who apply actually secure external scholarship money. Here's how to be one of them.

From Holland Scholarships to Erasmus+ grants, this guide covers verified scholarships in the Netherlands for Indian students, with clear details on amounts, deadlines, and eligibility for the next cycle.

If you're searching for scholarships in Europe or specifically funding to study in the Netherlands, you'll find government fellowships, institutional grants, and university merit scholarships here, along with practical tips on what actually gets applications shortlisted.

Types of Scholarships Available in Netherlands for Indian Students

Study abroad scholarship for Indian students coming to the Netherlands comes from three main sources:

• Government Scholarships: These are funded by the Dutch government and fully or largely cover tuition and living costs. The Holland Scholarship and Nuffic fellowships fall into this category. Acceptance rates are competitive, and the application timelines are strict, but the amounts are generous.
• University or Institutional Scholarships: Most universities in the Netherlands run their own merit-based grant programs for international students. These are typically applied for during or just after admission, and many are built into the offer letter itself. Coverage ranges from 25% to 100% of tuition, depending on the university and the degree level.
• Private and Foundation Scholarships: Scholarships such as Orange Tulip Scholarships, Rotary Foundation Scholarships, and regional Indian government scholarships come under this heading. These scholarships require completing additional forms, which usually have earlier application deadlines.

Top Scholarships in the Netherlands for Indian Students

From fully funded fellowships to university merit awards, here are the most relevant international scholarships for Indian students targeting the Netherlands in 2026-27.

Fully Funded Scholarships in the Netherlands — The Short List

If you want to study in Netherlands with near-zero out-of-pocket cost, these are the programs worth targeting first.

• Holland Scholarship: Backed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, this is one of the most well-known scholarships in Netherlands open to non-EU students. It provides a one-time EUR 5,000 grant for the first year of a Bachelor's or Master's program at a participating Dutch institution. It does not cover the full cost of your degree, but it is widely accessible and a good complement to a loan or other funding.
• Nuffic Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP): A fully financed program targeting mid-career professionals from selected developing nations, including India. All tuition fees, along with all travel, living, and visa expenses are covered. The competition is fierce and the program is ideal for students with five or more years of relevant professional experience.
• TU Delft Excellence Scholarship: One of the most generous merit awards at a single Dutch university. Worth EUR 25,000 per year, covers a large share of tuition for international Master's students. Selection is based on academic performance and motivation.
• Erasmus+ Scholarships: Mostly available for students pursuing an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree study program or a bilateral exchange arrangement. The monthly scholarship is between EUR 850 and EUR 1,200, subject to the applicant’s nationality.
• Utrecht Excellence Scholarship: Available for excellent candidates not residing within the European Union applying for Master’s programs at Utrecht University. Scholarships include an amount between EUR 10,000 and EUR 15,000 and cover the total cost of tuition fees in some programs.
• PhD Fellowships at Dutch Research Universities: For PhD studies at TU Delft, Eindhoven University of Technology, and Wageningen University, fellowships include a salary for conducting research. Fellowships usually have a monthly salary of EUR 2,200 – EUR 2,800, while tuition fees are waived.

Who Can Apply for Scholarships in Netherlands?

Most scholarships consider five factors: academic record, English test scores, SOP quality, references, and evidence of motivation or leadership. Whether you're targeting a masters scholarships abroad program or a Dutch university grant, these are the benchmarks to be aware of.

How to Apply for Scholarships in the Netherlands — Step by Step

If you are serious about securing scholarships in the Netherlands, the process needs to start well before the application deadline.

• Step 1: Research and Shortlist (12-18 months before your intake): Start with the university and degree level, then map the scholarships open to Indian nationals at that institution. Many Dutch scholarships are institution-specific, so the shortlist will be different for each university on your list.
• Step 2: Secure Your Admission First: Most Dutch university scholarships require a valid admission letter. Apply in the first round and do not wait. Scholarship budgets at universities like Maastricht and Groningen are allocated on a first-come basis once a class is confirmed.
• Step 3: Write a Fresh SOP for Each Scholarship: Your admission SOP will not work here. The Holland Scholarship wants to know your study motivation and ties to the Netherlands. The TU Delft scholarship wants evidence of academic excellence and a research focus. Write to each criterion specifically.
• Step 4: Choose Referees Who Know Your Work Well: Give your referees clear information about what the scholarship values before they write your letter. A letter written with the scholarship criteria in mind is always stronger than a generic academic recommendation.
• Step 5: Run Parallel Applications: There is no rule against applying to the Holland Scholarship, a university merit award, and the Erasmus+ program in the same cycle. Most students who successfully fund their Dutch degree apply to at least three to four sources simultaneously.
• Step 6: Submit Early: Submit at least two weeks before the deadline. University portals in the Netherlands process a high volume of international applications, and technical delays or document rejections can cost you the scholarship window.

Documents Required to Apply For a Scholarship in Netherlands

Whether you're targeting the Holland Scholarship or a university merit grant, having your documents in order before you start the application is non-negotiable.

Netherlands Scholarship Deadlines 2026-27 — Don't Miss These Dates

From best scholarships to study abroad to Dutch university grants, here are the key deadlines for the coming intake. If you want to study in the Netherlands with scholarship support, the time to begin tracking these dates is now, not after you receive your admit.

What Actually Gets You a Scholarship in Netherlands?

Most students who miss out on scholarships in the Netherlands are not underqualified. They are simply out-strategized. These are the things that actually move applications forward.

• Apply in Round 1, as scholarship budgets at Dutch universities are allocated early and run out before the final admission deadline.
• Write a completely fresh SOP for each scholarship. Committees reviewing Dutch merit awards can immediately tell when an applicant has reused their admission essay.
• Brief your referees before they write your letter. A reference that directly addresses what TU Delft or Groningen is looking for will always outperform a generic academic testimonial.
• Demonstrate research output if you are applying for a technical or STEM program. Even a conference paper or a thesis publication meaningfully strengthens your application at universities like Eindhoven and Delft.
• Apply to three to four scholarships simultaneously. There is no penalty for running parallel applications, and most Indian students who have been successfully funded in the Netherlands have done exactly this.
• Submit at least two weeks before the deadline. Portals experience high traffic in January and February, and document uploads frequently fail on the last day.
• If you are applying for the Nuffic NFP, start your application at least six months in advance. The nomination and institutional approval process takes longer than most students expect.

Can You Combine a Scholarship with an Education Loan?

Yes, and for most Indian students heading to the Netherlands, a combination of scholarship funding and an overseas education loan is the most practical way to cover the full cost of a Dutch degree.

Example: Master's in Data Science, TU Delft. Total cost: EUR 30,000 per year. Holland Scholarship: EUR 5,000 (one-time). Remaining gap: approximately EUR 25,000 per year, or INR 22-23 lakh per year unfunded.

An education loan with a moratorium period covers this gap with no EMIs while you study. Repayment typically begins 6 to 12 months after graduation, once you are earning.

Use Nomad Credit's scholarship finder tool to check which scholarships match your profile and university, then compare loan options from 15+ lenders for the remaining amount. Students who plan their scholarship and loan strategy together, rather than separately, almost always end up in a stronger financial position by the time they start their program.

Frequently Asked Questions