UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship
Four innovation campuses in Limburg, the Netherlands, form the Brightlands.
The Brightlands campi bring together entrepreneurs, researchers and students to innovate and create international breakthroughs together in chemistry and materials, health, agrifood, data science and smart digital services.
Depending on your choice of study programme the campi can be situated in Maastricht, Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen or Venlo.
The UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship programme offers four full coverage scholarships (including a tuition fee waiver and monthly stipend) per academic year for a selected number of top-performing non-EU/EEA students with personal development potential that have been (conditionally) admitted to a master’s programme connected to the Brightlands campi.
A mandatory component of the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship is participating in the thesis-intership-programme (TIP), requiring scholarship recipients to write their thesis to an assignment for one of the companies on the respective Brightlands camp.
Target group: top-performing non-EU/EEA master’s students with high personal development potential that have been (conditionally) admitted to a master’s programme connected to the Brightlands campi and with a substantiated motivation to contribute to the campuses’ development.
Who can Apply For The Fully Funded UM Brightlands Talents Scholarship 2025?
Also, applicants must ensure they meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You must hold nationality from a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and meet entry visa and residence permit requirements for the Netherlands. Check the relevant website for where to collect your MVV visa.
- If you already have a residence permit for another Schengen country, it must be valid until at least 2 September 2025. If not, you must apply from your home country via an MVV visa application.
- You do not have dual nationality with an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
- You have not previously completed a degree-seeking higher education program in the Netherlands (students who have participated in exchange programs are eligible).
- You must be under 35 years of age as of 1 September 2025.
- You agree to serve as an active Brightlands and UM ambassador during and after your studies, including sharing your experiences at least once in an information session.
- You have applied for admission to a participating UM master’s program for the 2025-2026 academic year.
- You meet the specific admission requirements of the UM master’s program to which you have applied.
- You can only submit one application, so ensure all documents meet the requirements before you submit, as you cannot add or replace them afterward.
Required Documents:
Applicants are also to submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of motivation
- Proof of academic excellence
- Personal statement of financial needs
- A reference letter
- The contact details of one referee
What is the Benefit of the Fully Funded UM Brightlands Talents Scholarship 2025?
Additionally, the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship provides a comprehensive financial package for 2025-2026, including:
- Living Expenses: €15,925 for a 13-month program or €30,625 for a 25-month program, paid monthly by the UM International Services Desk.
- Health & Liability Insurance: Costs are fully covered and arranged by the UM International Services Desk.
- Visa Application Costs: Fully covered and arranged by the UM International Services Desk.
- Tuition Fees: Fully covered and arranged by the UM International Services Desk.
- Pre-Academic Training: Costs covered and arranged by the UM International Services Desk.
- International Student Ambassador Programme (ISAP): First block costs covered and arranged by the UM International Services Desk.
Additionally, recipients will be assigned accommodation as part of the scholarship, which must be accepted to maintain eligibility. The monthly living expenses allocation of €1,225 covers housing, groceries, personal needs, travel, and study materials. Please note that the accommodation is not suitable for family members, and preferences will be considered, though refusal of the room results in scholarship cancellation.
How Long Will the Award Last?
Duration of study
How to Apply:
- Visit the webpage for your prospective program to learn how to register.
- After applying via Studielink, you will receive a UM student ID, which is necessary to complete the Scholarship Application Form.
- Only the eligible master’s programs listed above qualify for the scholarship.
- You must apply for the master’s program first to receive your student ID. Ensure you meet all admission requirements, except for legal residence, by the scholarship deadline. Note that program admission deadlines may differ from the scholarship deadline.
- If your program requires a handling fee for admissions, this fee is not covered by the scholarship and must be paid by you by 1 February 2025. Check your program’s “Admission Requirements” page to see if a handling fee applies.
- Access the application form using your UM account.
- Upload required documents in .doc, .docx, or PDF format, and ensure all documents and referee details are up-to-date, as you can only apply once.
- If you have applied to multiple eligible UM programs, the UM International Services Desk will consider your complete scholarship application for all conditionally approved or approved programs.
To apply, click this link.