Eric Bleumink Fellowship 2027

The Eric Bleumink Fund is housed as a sub-fund within the Ubbo Emmius Fund and was created upon the retirement of Eric Bleumink, who served as Chairman of the Executive Board of the University of Groningen from 1988 to 2000. The fellowship reflects his lifelong commitment to international cooperation, academic excellence, and opening doors for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Key features of the programme:

• Fully funded Master's — All major study-related expenses covered

• Nomination-based — You cannot apply directly; the Admissions Office nominates eligible candidates

• All Master's programmes — Open to any eligible MSc, MA, or LL.M. at the University of Groningen

• September start only — Grant is awarded for programmes beginning in September

• 1 or 2 years — Duration matches the length of the chosen Master's programme

• Limited awards — Only a small number of grants issued each year

Related: Learn more about studying in the Netherlands.

Successful Eric Bleumink Fellows receive:

• Full tuition fees — 100% coverage of programme tuition

• International travel costs — Round-trip airfare from your home country to the Netherlands

• Monthly living allowance — €1,250 per month for food and accommodation

• Settling allowance — €275 for extra expenses incurred when arriving in the Netherlands

• Books and study materials — Allowance for required academic resources

• Health insurance — Full coverage arranged by the university

• International academic network — Access to RUG's global alumni community

Note: A considerable number of students apply each year, whereas the University can issue only a limited number of grants. Competition is extremely high.

To be considered for nomination, you must first complete a full application for a Master's programme at the University of Groningen. Documents typically include:

• Completed Master's degree application — Submitted through the University of Groningen admission portal

• Bachelor's degree certificate — Certified copy proving completion of undergraduate studies

• Academic transcripts — Official transcripts showing excellent grades

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) — Updated CV highlighting academic and extracurricular achievements

• Letter(s) of recommendation — Preferably confirming excellent academic performance

• English proficiency test results — IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent, meeting programme-specific requirements

• Motivation letter / Statement of Purpose — Explaining why you chose the programme and how it aligns with your goals

• Passport copy — For identity and nationality verification

• Any additional documents — As requested by the faculty during the admission review process

Tip: Since the fellowship is nomination-based, the strength of your Master's application directly determines your chances of being nominated. Submit the most compelling application possible.

Candidates for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship must meet the following requirements:

• Admission offer: Must have received a provisional or unconditional admission offer for a Master's programme at the University of Groningen before February 2027. Only then will applicants be considered for the grant

• Academic excellence: Must have excellent academic performance, preferably confirmed by strong letters of recommendation

• Undergraduate grades: Must have excellent grades during Bachelor's/undergraduate studies

• English proficiency: Must have excellent English language proficiency, in accordance with the admission requirements of the programme of choice (typically IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL 90–100)

• Full availability: Must be available for the whole period of the programme and able to take part in the entire programme

• Good health: Must be in good health so that health insurance in the Netherlands can be arranged

• Nationality: Must hold the nationality of a country appearing in the eligible countries list above

• Financial need: Must have no other means of financing the study in question

The Eric Bleumink Fellowship is nomination-only. You cannot actively apply for it. Follow these steps to position yourself for nomination:

Step 1: Review the eligible countries list and confirm you hold a qualifying nationality.

Step 2: Explore the University of Groningen Master's degree programmes and select the programme that best fits your academic background and career goals.

Step 3: Check the specific admission requirements for your chosen programme, including English language requirements and prerequisite courses.

Step 4: Prepare all required application documents — transcripts, CV, motivation letter, reference letters, English test scores, and passport copy.

Step 5: Submit your complete Master's application through the University of Groningen online admission system before 1 December 2026. This deadline is critical — late applications will be considered for the next cycle.

Step 6: Wait for the Admission Office to process your application. You must receive a provisional or unconditional admission offer before February 2027 to be eligible for fellowship consideration.

Step 7: The University of Groningen Admission Office, in consultation with the Admission Boards of its faculties, will determine which admitted applicants will be nominated for an Eric Bleumink Fellowship.

Step 8: If nominated, the university will contact you directly with further instructions. No separate action is required from you.

Step 9: If selected, accept the fellowship offer and begin preparing for your move to Groningen in August/September 2027.

Important: It is not possible to actively apply for an Eric Bleumink Fellowship. Suitable candidates are identified and nominated internally by the university. Your only task is to submit an outstanding Master's application before the deadline.