UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens
Closes1 Feb, 2026

The UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship is a highly selective and fully funded award offered by Maastricht University (UM). Recipients receive full coverage of tuition fees for their master’s program. In addition, they receive a monthly stipend to support living expenses. UM also covers health and liability insurance, visa application costs, and pre-academic training fees.

🎓 Scholarship Snapshot

Here’s everything you need at a glance: the documents to prepare, what the award covers, and key dates so you don’t miss a beat. From transcripts and essays to tuition and living support, this gives you a clear picture of the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship before you apply.

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Seirra Leone, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, South-Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Study Fields

Artificial Intelligence, Biobased Materials, Biomedical Sciences, Business Intelligence & Smart Services, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Data Science for Decision Making, Global Supply Chain Management and Change, Health Food Innovation Management, Imaging Engineering, Systems Biology and Bioinformatics

GPA / Grade

75%, GPA 3.0

Languages

B2 First 173, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80

Tests

Study Levels

Total Scholarships

4 awards per academic year

Transcripts

Yes

Degrees

Yes

Essay

Yes

Passport ID

Recommendation Letters

Yes (1)

Result Date

April–May 2026

Program Start

September 2026

Tuition Fee

Covered

Living Allowance

Yes

€1,225 per month

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

Health Insurance

Yes

Visa Assistance

Yes

🛂 Visa Assistance

Yes, the visa application costs are arranged for and paid by the UM International Services Desk

🩺 Health Insurance

Arranged for and paid by the UM International Services Desk

📞 Contact Information

Call if you want a quick answer, send an email for detailed questions, or follow the university’s social channels to keep an eye on updates and reminders. Use whatever fits your style and timezone.

Scholarship Summary

Award Amount€1,225 per month
Deadline1 Feb, 2026
LevelMS
InstitutionMaastricht University
CountryNew Zealand
ModeOnline
TypeFully funded

Apply Now

The UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship is a highly selective and fully funded award offered by Maastricht University (UM). It supports outstanding non-EU and non-EEA students admitted to selected master’s programs linked to the Brightlands innovation campuses in Limburg, Netherlands. These campuses include Maastricht, Venlo, Sittard-Geleen, and Heerlen. The scholarship targets students with strong academic records and high motivation to contribute to innovation-driven fields such as health, data science, materials science, agrifood innovation, and digital services.

Background and Purpose

UM created this scholarship to attract global talent and strengthen the Brightlands innovation ecosystem. The program connects students with researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry partners. Therefore, it promotes applied learning and real-world impact. By integrating education with industry collaboration, UM prepares scholars to contribute to research, innovation, and regional development in the Netherlands and beyond.

UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship Benefits

Recipients receive full coverage of tuition fees for their master’s program. In addition, they receive a monthly stipend to support living expenses. UM also covers health and liability insurance, visa application costs, and pre-academic training fees. As a result, scholars can focus entirely on academic and professional development without financial pressure.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must hold non-EU and non-EEA nationality and must not have dual EU or EEA citizenship. They must receive conditional or full admission to a participating master’s program at UM. Selection requires excellent academic performance, typically a GPA equivalent to 7.5 out of 10 or higher. Preference goes to applicants under 35 years old on 1 September of the enrolment year and to those who have not previously completed a master’s degree.

UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship Application Process

Students apply after securing admission to an eligible master’s program. UM reviews academic excellence, motivation, and alignment with Brightlands innovation themes. Shortlisted candidates receive scholarship offers before the academic year begins.

Opportunities for Scholars

A key feature of the scholarship is participation in the Thesis-Internship Program (TIP). Scholars complete their master’s thesis through an assignment with a company at a Brightlands campus. This experience builds industry connections and practical research skills. In addition, scholars act as ambassadors for UM and Brightlands by sharing their academic and professional experiences globally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply?

Non‑EU/EEA master’s applicants with excellent academic records, strong motivation, and acceptance into a participating Brightlands‑related program.

Is there a research or work requirement?

Yes, scholarship recipients must complete a thesis‑internship project (TIP) with a company on a Brightlands campus as part of the award.

How long does the scholarship last?

It lasts the full length of the master’s program (13 months for one‑year, 25 months for two‑year) with benefits paid over that period.

Are there age or nationality limits?

Applicants must be non‑EU/EEA nationals without EU/EEA dual nationality and typically under age 35 by the academic start date.