About the program
The UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship 2025 offers a unique opportunity for top-performing non-EU/EEA students to pursue their master's studies at Maastricht University (UM) in the Netherlands. It provides full financial coverage, including tuition fee waivers and monthly stipends, for students accepted into programs connected with one of the four Brightlands innovation campuses: Maastricht, Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen, or Venlo. Each campus focuses on cutting-edge fields like chemistry and materials, health, agrifood, data science, and smart digital services. This scholarship aims to foster innovation and collaboration among students, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Awardees of the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship gain access to a supportive academic and professional network, with the chance to become ambassadors of the Brightlands initiative. In addition, they benefit from:
- A fully funded education at one of the Netherlands' leading universities.
- Direct interaction with industry leaders and cutting-edge research at the Brightlands campuses.
- Opportunities for networking and professional growth through the International Student Ambassador Programme (ISAP).
Eligible Nationalities
This scholarship is open to international students from Non EEA/EU Countries.
Eligibility Criteria
Who is Eligible for the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship?
To apply for the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Hold nationality from a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
- Meet requirements for a visa and residence permit in the Netherlands.
- Have never enrolled in a degree-seeking higher education program in the Netherlands.
- Be under 35 years of age as of September 1, 2025.
- Have been conditionally admitted to a participating master's program at Maastricht University.
- Demonstrate academic excellence and a motivation to contribute to the Brightlands innovation ecosystem.
Application Procedure
How to Apply for the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship
The application process for the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship involves two main steps:
- Register for a Master's Program: Applicants must first apply for admission to a participating master's program through Studielink.nl. A student ID number is required to proceed with the scholarship application.
- Submit the Scholarship Application Form: After receiving the student ID, applicants must fill out the scholarship application form and upload the following documents:
- An up-to-date CV.
- A letter of motivation using the provided template.
- Proof of academic excellence, such as a transcript or a letter stating class ranking.
- A personal statement of financial needs.
- A reference letter from a professor, lecturer, or employer.
- Contact details of one referee for verification.
- follow its instructions to finish all the required application procedures.
- Applicants must apply the system as requested within the application period
The application deadline is February 1, 2025, and only complete applications will be considered for further review.
Selection Procedure
The selection process for the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship is competitive and rigorous. The UM International Services Desk first reviews all applications for completeness. Then, the respective UM Faculty ranks the candidates based on the selection criteria, including academic performance, motivation, and potential impact on the Brightlands campuses. Shortlisted candidates are invited for an online interview with the scholarship committee, comprising representatives from UM, Brightlands campus management, and the Province of Limburg. Final decisions are communicated in April 2025.
