Students are encouraged to submit applications for the Leiden Minerva Scholarship for 2026–27 session.
Applicants from abroad can apply for fully funded scholarships to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. There is no application fee.
Leiden University provides a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various academic fields. Prospective students may also consider applying for the Australian Government Research Scholarships 2026–27 under the Research Training Program (RTP).
Each year, the Dutch government offers numerous scholarships and internship opportunities to international applicants.
One of these is the Minerva Scholarship, supported by the Foundation for Leiden University. The Minerva Scholarship Fund Foundation was established to offer financial aid for various academic and research projects.
Specifically, the MSF seeks to support outstanding and innovative student projects, both within the Netherlands and abroad.
Here is official link for Leiden Minerva Scholarship
Leiden Minerva Scholarship
1. Benefits of the Leiden Minerva Scholarship
2. Eligibility criteria for Leiden Minerva Scholarship
3. Offered Study Programs Leiden Minerva Scholarship
4. Documents required for Leiden Minerva Scholarship
5. How to apply for Leiden Minerva Scholarship
6. Deadlines for Leiden Minerva Scholarship
7. Frequently asked questions
1. Benefits of the Leiden Minerva Scholarship
The Leiden Minerva Scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year in the Netherlands assist students with educational and project-related expenses. International students chosen for this award are eligible for the following:
- The scholarship offers financial support between 900 and 2000 euros for project-related needs.
- The funds can be used to pay for research costs and living expenses during the student’s stay.
- Students can also allocate the money toward international travel.
- Each project receives an amount ranging from €900 to €2000, which may cover research, accommodation, overseas travel, and other associated costs.
2. Eligibility criteria for Leiden Minerva Scholarship
The key eligibility requirements for the Leiden Minerva Scholarships 2026–27 in the Netherlands are as follows:
- Applicants do not need to be members of L.S.V. Minerva.
- Candidates must show a strong record of academic research or study experience in the Netherlands or overseas.
- The proposed project must involve research, study, or an internship.
- Applicants are required to submit a final report after project completion, including relevant photos and details.
- Candidates must be PhD students at Leiden who have already earned a master’s degree from the same institution.
3. Offered Study Programs Leiden Minerva Scholarship
- Humanities
- Law
- Medicine/LUMC
- Archaeology
- Social and Behavioural Sciences
- Governance and Global Affairs
- Science
4. Documents required for Leiden Minerva Scholarship
4.1. Academic Documents
4.2. Passport & National ID card
4.3. English Proficiency Proof (IELTS/TOEFL)
4.4. Recommendation letter
4.5. CV/Resume
4.6. Hope certificate (If applicable)
4.7. Research proposal/plan (Optional)
4.1. Academic documents
This includes all your certificates & academic record like
A: Bachelor’s transcript & certificate
B: Master’s transcript & certificate (if the student is applying for 2nd Master or fellowship)
C: Metric & FSC transcripts (10-12th Grade) (A level) (DMCs) and certificates (Supporting academic documents)
D: Course summary (to explain your courses & how your previous courses & studies resemble your future studies to which you are applying)
NOTE:
All of the above documents should be attested by respective boards.
Also, attest them from issuing authority of home countries. The respective university must attest university documents.
In the case of Pakistan, The above-mentioned documents must be attested by IBCC, HEC, and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
IBCC authority is only responsible for the attestation of metric and inter documents.
Dear offices are present in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and also in other cities of Pakistan. HEC office attests to bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. documents.
4.2. Valid passport, Birth certificate & NIC
The passport of the applicant must contain at least one full blank page on both sides.
The passport must be valid at the time of visa application and on arrival to the Netherlands
A birth certificate or national ID card is also important to attach.
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4.3. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
Meeting the English language requirements set by UvA Scholarship is an important step toward achieving your bigger goal.
Generally speaking, Students with IELTS 6.5 overall or TOEFL above 100, are considered good.
Nevertheless, these requirements may vary from course to course and degree to degree.
4.4. Recommendation letters / Letters of References for of Amsterdam Scholarships
The applicants must provide up to 2 letters of recommendation. from the previous , (Depending upon courses).
It is advised to provide a letter of recommendation from the HOD (Head of the department or Relevant course head) who should be a PhD.
The referees need to write their contact details (Email, phone number) at the end of the letter.
The letter must include an official letterhead, signature, and official stamp and must be of the current date.
Ask your Referees to write about your academic achievements & discuss their confidence in you that you are fully compatible with the project or course you wish to pursue.
The referees must also mention how long they know the applicant & when was the last time they came in contact with the applicant.
You need to mention the contact details of your referees and they will be contacted to provide a reference letter directly.
4.5. CV
Europass CV can be easily made here.
The Cv must contain all the latest & relevant information about your occupation & interests.
A perfect CV must be hand-signed.
4.6. Hope certificate (If applicable)
If the final transcript isn’t ready, then students can apply with a Hope certificate from their university.
However, they must be graduated before their arrival university in the Netherlands.
(Please make sure you contact your in this regard )
What is Hope’s certificate?
In simple words, It is a certificate based on the previous semester’s performance, that indicates that the candidate will pass the final exams with excellent results.
4.7. Research Plan / Proposal (Optional)
Research publications/ Achievements (conference papers, article review, abstract of thesis)
The research proposal is mostly required for postdocs or PhD students. (Depend upon the courses)
It asks you to write about the research project you agree upon completing with the assigned academic advisor.
Your research proposal should be a brief description of your research goals and objectives, the methods with which you wish to process that research, the outcomes you desire, the timeline and budget you have estimated, and the area of study you wish upon exploring.
It shall be a brief document yet explain the entire vision to the reader so that those analyzing your application could know of your objectives and grant you the scholarship if they match the program’s criteria and eligibility.
Taking help from an external party is strictly prohibited and violation in this regard could lead to your disqualification no matter how incredible your proposal is.
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5. How to apply for Leiden Minerva Scholarship
The Leiden Minerva Scholarship Fund Foundation does not offer an online submission option for applications.
Students wishing to apply must visit the scholarship’s official website and manually download the application form. Applicants should fill out the form carefully and ensure all required documents are included before submission.
These documents may include academic transcripts, research proposals, recommendation letters, and any other supporting materials requested by the scholarship authorities.
After completing the application form and assembling all documents, applicants should thoroughly review the entire application to ensure no required information or document is missing.
Once all application requirements have been met, candidates must send the complete application package to the designated address via a courier service before the deadline.
6. Deadlines for Leiden Minerva Scholarship
The submission deadlines for the 2026–27 Leiden Minerva Scholarships in the Netherlands are April 15 and November 15, 2026. Interested applicants should complete the application form, attach all required documents, and send them to the designated address before the deadline.
7. Frequently asked questions
Q. Who is Eligible?
Students formally enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s programs at Leiden are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Q. Is L.S.V. Minerva Membership Required?
No, applicants are not required to be members of the L.S.V. Minerva association to be considered for the scholarship.
Q. What Types of Projects Qualify for Funding?
The scholarship supports outstanding academic study and research projects. Funding may also be provided for international internship opportunities. However, full Master’s or PhD degree programs are not eligible for coverage under this scholarship.
Q. How Much Funding Is Available?
Each approved project may receive financial support between €900 and €2,000.
Q. What Expenses Does the Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship can be used to cover various costs, including research-related expenses, international travel costs, and living or accommodation expenses during the project period.
Q. How Should Applications Be Submitted?
Applicants must download the official application form from the Minerva Scholarship Fund’s official portal. Once the form is completed and all required documents are prepared, the physical application package must be sent by postal mail. Email or online submissions are not accepted.
Q, What Are the Post-Award Responsibilities?
Scholarship recipients must submit a comprehensive project report after completing their project. The report should include relevant photographs or images related to the project and must be submitted within three months following the project’s conclusion.
