Leiden University students planning exceptional academic projects abroad now have a valuable funding opportunity to support their international ambitions. The Minerva Scholarship Fund (MSF) 2026–2027 is officially open, offering financial assistance to Bachelor’s and Master’s students of all nationalities enrolled at Leiden University who aim to undertake prestigious study, internship, or research projects overseas.
Established in 2009, the Minerva Scholarship Fund Foundation has been supporting innovative and academically meaningful projects across disciplines, helping students gain global experience while advancing their research and professional growth. With two application rounds annually and funding available across multiple faculties, this scholarship is a competitive yet rewarding opportunity for students preparing impactful academic projects abroad.
Benefits of the Minerva Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is designed to support academically relevant international experiences that contribute to knowledge development and professional exposure.
- Scholarship funding ranges between €900 and €2000 per selected project
- Financial support for research-related expenses
- Coverage of international travel costs associated with the project
- Contribution toward living expenses during the project period abroad
- Open to projects in internship, study, or research categories
- Available across all faculties at Leiden University
- Opportunity to gain recognition for exceptional academic or research initiatives
- Selection based on academic relevance and contribution to knowledge advancement
Eligibility Required to Apply
Applicants must meet specific academic and project-based criteria to qualify for this competitive funding.
- Must be registered as a Bachelor’s or Master’s student at Leiden University
- Open to students of all nationalities
- Project must involve an exceptional or prestigious study, research, or internship abroad
- Project must fall within internship, study, or research category
- PhD tracks and complete Master’s degree programs are not eligible
- Membership in L.S.V. Minerva is not required
- Applicants must commit to submitting a project report with images within three months after project completion.
Application Process
Applying for the Minerva Scholarship Fund is straightforward if applicants prepare early and follow each step carefully. Start by downloading the official application form from the Minerva Scholarship Fund website and complete it with accurate project details. Next, gather all required supporting documents and ensure your proposed project aligns with the scholarship’s focus on exceptional international academic work.
Apply: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/scholarships/sea/minerva-scholarship-fund
Once your application dossier is complete, submit it to the designated address provided in the application instructions before the relevant deadline. After submission, applications are reviewed by an allocation committee of Leiden University lecturers who assess the academic value and relevance of each project. Applicants are informed of the result within approximately one month after the deadline.
Application Deadline
The Minerva Scholarship Fund offers two application rounds each year. The last date to apply for the Minerva Scholarship Fund 2026–2027 at Leiden University is 15 April 2026 for the spring round.