The Justus and Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships fund a Master’s degree at TU Delft. This program is fully funded. It supports outstanding international students in the Netherlands. Many students also compare it with other fully funded routes. For example, some look at the Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship, another major option in Europe. Both programs draw applicants who want a strong European base for their next degree.
Overview
- Host country, Netherlands
- Host school, Delft University of Technology
- Level of study, Two year regular MSc programmes
- Field of study, Engineering, science, and technology
- Nationality, Open to international students from any country
- Funded by, The Justus and Louise van Effen Foundation
Benefits of the Justus and Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships
First, scholars get full tuition. Also, they get help with living costs. Plus, they join a scholar group. In short, the award covers this.
- Full tuition fees, for both years of the Master’s programme
- A meaningful contribution toward living costs
- Access to a scholar community, with workshops and events
- Networking chances across the school’s research network
- Support for the full two year programme, not just one year
Who Should Apply
This award suits top graduates ready for engineering, science, or tech study. Meanwhile, students who want a broader field mix instead may prefer the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. That program funds a wide range of postgraduate fields. Therefore, it helps to compare both options before you commit to one country. Think carefully about your long term field of interest before you decide.
Eligibility Requirements
Overall, applicants must meet these points.
- Be conditionally admitted to a two year regular MSc programme at the school
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a school outside the Netherlands
- Show excellent grades, typically among the top 10 percent of your class
- Not be a current bachelor’s student at the school
- Submit a complete MSc application before the deadline
One Combined Application
Notably, you submit the scholarship form with your MSc application. It is not a separate later step. This combined process is close to the setup used for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship, where one form also covers both admission and funding. Overall, this saves you from tracking two separate timelines, which can otherwise get confusing for a first time applicant.
Required Documents
- Completed MSc application at the school
- Scholarship application form
- Two reference letters
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of English language skill, where required
How to Apply
First, pick an eligible two year MSc programme at the school. Next, complete your MSc form and add the scholarship form at the same time. Then, upload your two reference letters before the date. Also, this combined step is close to the one used for the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship. Finally, double check that both referees have submitted their letters before you consider your application complete.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the 2027 intake is December 1, 2026, at 23:59 CET. So, this window is still open now, which gives you real time to prepare a strong application. Therefore, starting your reference requests early is a smart move, since referees sometimes need a few weeks to respond to this kind of request.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this scholarship gives strong, complete funding for engineering and tech study in the Netherlands. However, if you want a broader mix of subjects instead, check other options too. For instance, the Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship supports Masters and PhD study in Germany, which may suit a wider range of future career plans.
