University of Groningen Eric Bleumink Fund Scholarship

The University of Groningen Eric Bleumink Fund Scholarship is a full scholarship that helps talented students from developing countries earn a master’s degree in the Netherlands. It covers tuition, international travel, living costs and insurance, and it is awarded on the basis of academic merit, motivation and financial need. This guide explains who can apply, what the scholarship pays for, how the selection process works, and how to make your application stronger.

What Is the University of Groningen Eric Bleumink Fund Scholarship?

The Eric Bleumink Fund is a scholarship fund connected to the University of Groningen, one of the oldest and largest research universities in the Netherlands. It exists to give high-potential students from developing countries a realistic chance to study abroad when their own financial resources would not allow it.

The fund carries the name of Eric Bleumink and reflects the university’s long-standing commitment to international cooperation and equal access to education. In practice, it works as a full scholarship for a complete master’s programme, not as a small top-up grant.

• Level of study: master’s degree programmes at the University of Groningen.
• Target group: talented students from countries on the Dutch government’s list of developing countries.
• Type of award: a comprehensive package rather than a partial fee waiver.
• Basis of award: academic excellence, motivation, financial need and the expected impact of your studies.
• Where you study: in Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands, or at another campus location of the university.

The scholarship is competitive. Faculties nominate candidates, and only a limited number of awards are made each year, which is why the quality of your motivation and your academic record matters so much.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligibility comes down to three things: your nationality, your academic background, and whether you have been admitted to an eligible master’s programme. You need to satisfy all three at the same time.

Eligible Countries and Nationality

The fund is aimed at students from developing countries, based on the list used by the Dutch government for development cooperation. Nationals of countries that appear on that list are normally eligible.

• You must be a national of an eligible developing country.
• You must not hold a passport from an EU/EEA country or another high-income country on the excluded list.
• You normally need to be living and working or studying outside the Netherlands at the time of application.
• If you already hold a degree from a Dutch institution, check the rules carefully before applying.
• The eligible country list is reviewed periodically, so always confirm your country before you invest time in the application.

Academic and Language Requirements

Academic standards are high because the scholarship is designed for students who can succeed in a demanding international programme.

• An excellent academic record in your previous bachelor’s or master’s degree.
• Admission (or a strong chance of admission) to a master’s programme at the University of Groningen.
• Proof of English proficiency, usually IELTS or TOEFL, at the level required by your programme.
• Any additional subject-specific requirements set by the faculty, such as a portfolio, motivation letter or entrance test.
• Genuine financial need — the fund is not intended for students who can finance their studies themselves.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The award is designed to remove the main financial barriers to studying in the Netherlands. That means it goes well beyond the tuition fee alone.

The exact package is confirmed in your award letter, and small details can differ between cohorts. The table below shows the typical structure.

Treat the award letter as the only binding description of your package. Everything you read elsewhere is a general guide, not a promise.

How to Apply: Step by Step

The most common reason applicants fail is not a weak CV — it is applying in the wrong order or missing an internal deadline. Follow these steps carefully.

1. Choose your master’s programme. Look at the University of Groningen’s programme list and check that it is a full master’s programme that the fund supports.
2. Check the scholarship page for your faculty. Each faculty publishes its own instructions, forms and cut-off points for the Eric Bleumink Fund.
3. Apply for admission first. Submit your application through the university’s admissions system, including transcripts, degree certificates and language test scores.
4. Indicate that you want to be considered for the scholarship. This is usually done through a specific section of the application or a separate scholarship form.
5. Write your motivation letter. Address your academic goals, why this specific programme, and how you plan to use the knowledge in your home country.
6. Submit supporting documents. This typically includes a CV, degree certificates, transcripts, language results, and proof of your financial situation.
7. Wait for the faculty nomination stage. Faculties shortlist candidates and forward nominations to the fund’s selection committee.
8. Respond quickly if you are selected. You may need to confirm acceptance, send original documents or start the visa process within a short window.

Selection Criteria: What the Committee Looks For

Selection is not a lottery. The committee is trying to answer a practical question: will this person complete the programme and then use it well?

• Academic strength: grades, ranking, research experience and the difficulty of your previous programme.
• Relevance of the programme: a clear link between the master’s degree and your background and goals.
• Financial need: evidence that you cannot fund the studies yourself or through other means.
• Development impact: a realistic plan for how you will contribute after graduation.
• Motivation and clarity: a letter that is specific, honest and free of generic phrases.
• Fit with the faculty: whether your profile matches what the department is looking for.

Some faculties also consider whether you have a gap in your studies, unusual career paths, or personal circumstances that explain a weaker semester. If that applies to you, address it briefly and factually.

Practical Tips for a Stronger Application

Most applicants have similar grades and similar ambitions. The difference usually comes from preparation and detail.

Start Early and Work Backwards

• Begin gathering transcripts and certificates months before the scholarship deadline.
• Book your language test early, because results can take weeks to arrive.
• Ask referees for letters well in advance and give them your CV and programme details.
• Set your own deadline two weeks before the official one.

Write a Motivation Letter That Sounds Like You

• Name the specific programme and mention a course, module or research group that fits your goals.
• Explain one concrete problem in your field back home and how this degree helps you tackle it.
• Show that you understand what studying in the Netherlands involves.
• Avoid copying sentences from sample letters — reviewers recognise them.
• Keep it to one or two pages, clear and structured.

A convincing application reads like a plan, not a wish list. Show the committee the steps you have already taken, not only the ones you hope to take.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for the scholarship before you have a realistic chance of admission.
• Missing a faculty-level deadline that is earlier than the general admission deadline.
• Sending a generic motivation letter that could fit any university in any country.
• Submitting incomplete financial information, which weakens the financial-need assessment.
• Ignoring the language requirement until the last moment.
• Applying for a programme that the fund does not support.
• Assuming the scholarship is renewed automatically — always confirm the conditions for the second year.

Conclusion

The University of Groningen Eric Bleumink Fund Scholarship is one of the more generous routes to a master’s degree in Europe for students from developing countries. It removes the financial barrier almost entirely, but it asks for something in return: a strong academic record, a clear purpose, and a believable plan for what you will do afterwards. If you prepare early, apply in the right order, and write honestly about your goals, you give yourself a real chance in a competitive field. Always verify the current rules, forms and deadlines on the official University of Groningen pages before you submit anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the University of Groningen Eric Bleumink Fund Scholarship?

It is aimed at talented students who are nationals of countries on the Dutch government’s list of developing countries and who want to complete a full master’s programme at the University of Groningen. You also need an excellent academic record, proof of English proficiency, and demonstrable financial need. Applicants who can fund their own studies are normally not eligible.

Do I need to be admitted before I apply for the scholarship?

In most cases you must first apply for admission to a master’s programme, because the scholarship is tied to a specific programme and faculty. Your admission application and your scholarship application are separate processes, but they are linked. Start your admission file first, then complete the scholarship form as instructed by your faculty.

Which master’s programmes are eligible?

Many, but not all, master’s programmes at the University of Groningen take part in the scheme. Eligibility is decided at faculty level, so the same fund may support one programme and not another. Check the scholarship information page for the specific faculty that offers your programme before you apply.

Can I apply if I already live in the Netherlands?

This is one of the trickiest eligibility points. The fund is generally intended for students who are outside the Netherlands at the time of application and who have not already completed a degree in the country. Rules can vary, so confirm your situation with the scholarship office before starting a lengthy application.

Does the scholarship cover my spouse or children?

No. The award is calculated for a single student and does not include allowances for dependants. If you plan to bring family members to the Netherlands, you must budget for their visa, housing and living costs yourself, and you should confirm the immigration requirements first.

Can I combine the scholarship with another grant?

Sometimes, but not always. Many scholarship providers reduce or withdraw funding if you receive another major award for the same costs. Be transparent about any other funding you have applied for, and ask the scholarship office directly how a second grant would affect your package.

How many scholarships are awarded each year?

Only a limited number of scholarships are granted annually, spread across the participating faculties. The exact number is not fixed and depends on the fund’s resources and the quality of the applicant pool. Because the numbers are small, your motivation letter and academic record carry a lot of weight.

What happens if my scholarship application is unsuccessful?

You can still be admitted to your master’s programme, but you would need to finance it yourself or find another funding source. Some students reapply in a later round after strengthening their profile, gaining work experience or improving their language test scores. Ask the faculty for feedback if it is offered.

Do I have to return to my home country after graduation?

There is usually no formal legal obligation to leave the Netherlands, but the fund’s purpose is development impact. Selection committees favour candidates who can