If you are a talented student from a developing country and you are dreaming of pursuing a fully funded Masters degree in Europe, the Eric Bleumink Fellowship 2027 at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands is one of the most prestigious and comprehensive scholarships you can aim for. This fellowship covers everything: tuition fees, international travel, living expenses, books, and health insurance for the full duration of your Masters programme. It is the kind of scholarship that truly removes every financial barrier and gives you the freedom to focus entirely on your studies and your future.
Applications for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship 2027 are now open. In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about this fellowship, including who it is for, what it covers, which countries are eligible, how the nomination process works, and the exact steps you need to take to position yourself for consideration. Read every word carefully, because the application process for this scholarship is different from most others you will have encountered.
About the Eric Bleumink Fellowships
The Eric Bleumink Fellowship is named in honour of Professor Eric Bleumink, a distinguished academic who served as Rector Magnificus and later as Chairman of the Board of the University of Groningen. Professor Bleumink was known for his inspired leadership, his commitment to embedding the university more firmly in society, and above all his deep personal dedication to improving cooperation between the University of Groningen and academic institutions in developing countries. His efforts to make international cooperation a core part of university policy left a lasting mark on the institution.
When Professor Bleumink retired on 24 May 2000, the academic community at Groningen wanted to honour his legacy in a meaningful and lasting way. The result was the Eric Bleumink Fund, a scholarship programme created in his name that reflects his values perfectly: giving talented students from the developing world the opportunity to study at one of Europe’s finest universities, gain world-class knowledge and skills, and then take those skills back to contribute to the growth and development of their home countries.
Professor Bleumink himself endorsed this initiative enthusiastically. In a statement published in 2005 on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Fund, he expressed his genuine pride in what the programme had become. Today, the Eric Bleumink Fellowship has grown into one of the most respected fully funded scholarship programmes for international students in the Netherlands, with hundreds of applicants each year competing for a small number of grants.
About the University of Groningen
The University of Groningen, known in Dutch as the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG), was founded in 1614, making it one of the oldest and most established universities in Europe. It consistently ranks among the top 100 universities in the world and is recognized as one of the leading research universities in the Netherlands and across Europe.
The university places a strong emphasis on research themes that matter globally, including energy and climate, public health, sustainable development, digitization, and artificial intelligence. With a distinct international character and a community that draws students and researchers from across the globe, the University of Groningen provides an environment that is academically rigorous, culturally diverse, and genuinely open to the world.
Groningen city itself is a vibrant, student-friendly university town in the north of the Netherlands. It is compact, affordable by Dutch standards, safe, and full of cultural life. For international scholars, it offers a welcoming community and a high quality of life. The university’s position in Northern Netherlands also gives students access to strong research connections in energy, health sciences, and spatial planning that have real relevance to the challenges facing developing countries today.
Eric Bleumink Fellowship 2027: Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Name | Eric Bleumink Fellowship (EBF) 2027 |
| Also Known As | Eric Bleumink Fund Talent Grant |
| Offered By | University of Groningen, Netherlands |
| Level of Study | Masters (MSc / MA / LL.M.) |
| Duration | 1 year or 2 years (September intake only) |
| Eligible Programmes | All Masters programmes at the University of Groningen |
| Target Applicants | Students from eligible developing countries |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Masters Application Deadline | Before 1 December (for fellowship consideration) |
| Nomination Announcement | Before 1 February |
| Programme Start | September 2027 |
| Country of Study | Netherlands (Groningen) |
| Host Institution | University of Groningen (UG / RUG) |
| Direct Application | Not possible; nomination-based only |
What Does the Eric Bleumink Fellowship Cover?
One of the reasons this fellowship stands out so clearly from many other international scholarships is the comprehensiveness of its financial coverage. The Eric Bleumink Fellowship is genuinely fully funded, and it has been designed so that recipients do not need to source any additional financial support to study in Groningen. Here is exactly what the fellowship covers.
Full tuition fees are covered for the entire duration of your Masters programme, whether that is one year or two years. You do not need to pay any portion of your tuition out of pocket.
International travel costs are included. The fellowship covers your return journey between your home country and the Netherlands, so the cost of getting to Groningen and returning home after completing your degree is taken care of.
A monthly subsistence allowance is provided to cover your day-to-day living expenses in Groningen. This includes accommodation costs and your general cost of living during the programme. Groningen is one of the more affordable cities in the Netherlands, which means your stipend goes further here than it would in cities like Amsterdam.
Books and study materials required for your programme are covered. You will not need to budget separately for academic resources.
Health insurance is arranged and covered for the full duration of your stay in the Netherlands. Dutch health insurance is a legal requirement for everyone living and studying in the country, so having this covered removes another significant administrative and financial burden for international students.
All financial arrangements during the scholarship period are managed by the University of Groningen’s Mobility and Student Affairs department (MSD), so you have an institutional point of contact to help you navigate financial matters throughout your studies.
What the Fellowship Does Not Cover
While the Eric Bleumink Fellowship is comprehensive, there are a few things that are not explicitly included. Costs for any dependants or family members who accompany you to the Netherlands are not covered by the fellowship. Personal travel within Europe during your studies would also need to come from your subsistence allowance. You should budget carefully and understand the full cost of living in Groningen before arriving, so you can plan accordingly within the financial support provided.
Eligibility Requirements for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship 2027
The eligibility criteria for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship are clearly defined by the University of Groningen. To be considered for nomination, you must meet all of the following conditions.
You must hold the nationality of one of the eligible developing countries listed in the official University of Groningen selection criteria. This list includes dozens of countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Latin America and the Pacific Islands. A full breakdown of eligible countries is provided further in this article.
You must have received a provisional or unconditional admission offer for a Masters programme at the University of Groningen before February of the intake year. This is a hard requirement. Candidates who have not received an admission offer by that point cannot be considered for a nomination, regardless of the strength of their academic profile.
You must have outstanding academic performance from your undergraduate studies. The scholarship is genuinely competitive, and the university receives hundreds of applications each year while awarding only a small number of grants. Strong grades are essential. A high GPA or first class equivalent from your Bachelor’s degree significantly strengthens your position.
Strong letters of recommendation are expected. These should ideally come from academic supervisors or professors who can speak directly to your intellectual ability, your work ethic, and your potential as a postgraduate researcher or professional.
You must meet the English language requirements of your chosen Masters programme at the University of Groningen. This typically means providing a valid IELTS or TOEFL score, though some programmes may accept other recognized qualifications. The specific requirements vary by programme, so you should check the admissions page for your chosen course.
You must be available for the full duration of the Masters programme and must be able to participate entirely without interruption. Part-time or remote study is not compatible with this fellowship.
You must be in good health and able to obtain Dutch health insurance. This is a practical requirement given that health insurance is mandatory in the Netherlands.
You must not have any other source of funding for your Masters programme. The Eric Bleumink Fellowship is intended to be the sole financial support for recipients. If you are already in receipt of another scholarship or funding from another institution or government, you are not eligible for this award.
Eligible Countries for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship 2027
The fellowship is available to students from a wide range of countries classified as least developed or lower-middle-income nations. The following table shows eligible countries organized by region.
| Region | Eligible Countries |
|---|---|
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| South Asia | Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |
| Southeast Asia | Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Vietnam |
| Middle East and North Africa | Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen |
| Central Asia and Eastern Europe | Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan |
| Latin America and Caribbean | Bolivia, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua |
| Pacific Islands | Kiribati, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Vanuatu |
| East Asia | Korea (Dem. Rep.) |
This list is drawn from the official University of Groningen scholarship criteria and may be subject to update between cycles. Always verify current eligible countries on the official scholarship page before starting your application.
Which Masters Programmes Are Eligible?
One of the most attractive features of the Eric Bleumink Fellowship is that it applies to all Masters programmes offered at the University of Groningen. This is an unusually broad scope compared to many other fully funded scholarships in Europe, which tend to restrict eligibility to specific faculties or subject areas. At Groningen, whether you want to study Computing Science, Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences, Law, Economics, Environmental Planning, Supply Chain Management, or any other discipline offered at the university, the Eric Bleumink Fellowship can support your studies.
The fellowship supports MSc (Master of Science), MA (Master of Arts), and LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree programmes. All programmes must be studied full-time and must start in September. The fellowship is not available for programmes starting at other times of year.
Here is a selection of popular Masters programmes at the University of Groningen that are open to Eric Bleumink Fellowship candidates.
| Faculty | Example Masters Programmes | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Science and Engineering | MSc Computing Science; MSc Astronomy; MSc Chemistry; MSc Applied Physics; MSc Biomolecular Sciences | 2 years |
| Faculty of Economics and Business | MSc Supply Chain Management; MSc Economics; MSc Finance; MSc Business Administration; MSc Marketing | 1 year |
| Faculty of Law | LL.M. International Economic and Business Law; LL.M. International and European Law; LL.M. Criminal Law | 1 year |
| Faculty of Medical Sciences | MSc Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences; MSc Health Sciences; MSc Biomedical Sciences | 2 years |
| Faculty of Spatial Sciences | MSc Society, Sustainability, and Planning; MSc Environmental and Infrastructure Planning; MSc Cultural Geography | 2 years |
| Faculty of Arts | MA Linguistics; MA History; MA International Relations; MA Media Studies | 1 to 2 years |
| Faculty of Philosophy | MA Philosophy; MA History and Philosophy of Science | 1 to 2 years |
| Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences | MSc Sociology; MSc Psychology; MSc Educational Sciences; MSc Social Policy | 2 years |
For the complete and current list of all available Masters programmes at the University of Groningen, visit the University of Groningen Masters programmes overview page.
How the Nomination Process Works
This is the most important part of this article, and it is also the part that surprises many applicants the most. Unlike the vast majority of scholarships where you submit a dedicated scholarship application, the Eric Bleumink Fellowship works on a nomination basis. You cannot directly apply for this fellowship. There is no separate scholarship application form to fill in and submit.
Instead, the University of Groningen Admission Office, working in consultation with the Faculty Admission Boards across all departments, identifies and nominates the most outstanding candidates from among those who have applied to Masters programmes at the university. The selection is based entirely on the quality of your Masters programme application.
The nomination timeline works as follows. The Admission Office reviews Masters programme applications that have been submitted before 1 December. Early in January of the following year, the Admission Office selects nominees from the pool of candidates who have received provisional or unconditional admission offers before February. If you are nominated, you will be contacted and informed of your nomination before 1 February. If you have not received any contact by 1 February, you have not been selected for that cycle.
The university explicitly asks that you do not contact the admissions office to inquire about your nomination status. The process is managed entirely internally, and reaching out will not influence the outcome or speed up the process.
This nomination-based structure means that the single most important thing you can do to maximize your chances of receiving the Eric Bleumink Fellowship is to submit the strongest possible application to your chosen Masters programme at the University of Groningen, and to do so well before the 1 December deadline.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Position Yourself for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship 2027
Even though you cannot directly apply for this fellowship, there are clear and actionable steps you can take to ensure you are in the best possible position to be nominated. Here is the complete process.
Step 1: Research your chosen Masters programme at the University of Groningen. Visit the official university website and explore the full list of Masters programmes across all faculties. Look for programmes that align with your academic background, your career goals, and the research themes you are most passionate about. Pay attention to the specific entry requirements, including undergraduate subject prerequisites and English language requirements.
Step 2: Check your country’s eligibility. Confirm that your nationality appears on the list of eligible countries for the Eric Bleumink Fellowship before committing to the application process. The full list is available on the official scholarship page.
Step 3: Take an English language test if you have not already done so. Most programmes require an IELTS score of at least 6.0 or 6.5, or a TOEFL iBT score of 80 or above, though requirements vary by programme. Book your test early enough that you will have your results available before submitting your Masters application.
Step 4: Prepare your application documents. A strong Masters application is the foundation of your chances of being nominated. This means crafting a compelling, specific, and honest personal statement or motivation letter, collecting strong academic references from professors who know your work well, gathering your official undergraduate transcripts, and preparing an up-to-date academic CV that highlights your research experience, academic achievements, and any relevant extracurricular activities.
Step 5: Register on Studielink. Studielink is the Dutch national online application and registration system used by all Dutch universities, including the University of Groningen. You will need to create an account on Studielink to formally apply to your chosen Masters programme. This is the gateway through which your application is officially submitted.
Step 6: Submit your Masters programme application before 1 December. This deadline is critical. Applications submitted after 1 December cannot be processed in time for the fellowship nomination review, which takes place in the first week of January. Aim to have your complete application submitted several weeks before the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.
Step 7: Wait for the admission decision. The Admission Office will review your application and issue a provisional or unconditional admission offer if you meet the entry requirements. This offer must be received before February for you to be eligible for fellowship consideration.
Step 8: If nominated, you will be contacted by the University of Groningen before 1 February. Follow the instructions provided at that point for the next steps in confirming your fellowship award.
To begin your Masters programme application right now, visit the official Eric Bleumink Fellowship page at the University of Groningen for full details, and then navigate to your chosen programme to start your application through Studielink.
Tips for a Competitive Masters Application
Given that the fellowship nomination is based entirely on the quality of your Masters application, it is worth investing serious time and thought into making your application as strong as it can possibly be. Here are some practical tips that can make a real difference.
Be specific in your motivation letter. A vague letter that talks in general terms about wanting to study and contribute to your country will not stand out. The strongest motivation letters explain precisely why you chose this particular programme at this particular university, what specific research questions or professional challenges you want to address, and what you plan to do with your Masters degree when you return home. Connect your past academic work to your future goals through a clear, coherent narrative.
Your reference letters matter enormously. Do not ask people who barely know you to write on your behalf. Choose professors or supervisors who have direct experience of your academic work and who can write specifically and enthusiastically about your abilities. Give your referees enough time, and brief them on the fellowship criteria so their letters address the most relevant aspects of your profile.
Highlight any research experience. If you completed a thesis, a research project, or any independent academic work during your undergraduate degree, make sure this is prominent in your application. The Eric Bleumink Fellowship is designed to support candidates who will contribute to the academic development of their home countries, so demonstrating a genuine research orientation is valuable.
