Leiden University has officially announced the opening of applications for the Minerva Scholarship Fund (MSF) 2026, an exciting opportunity for international students to pursue prestigious research, study, or internship projects abroad. Established in 2009, this program continues to support exceptional students from all disciplines who aim to expand their academic and professional horizons beyond borders.
What is the Minerva Scholarship Fund?
The Minerva Scholarship Fund Foundation (MSF) is a registered charity in the Netherlands. It supports students at Leiden University with scholarships to cover exceptional and exclusive study or research projects abroad.
Unlike many scholarships, you don’t need to be a member of L.S.V. Minerva to apply. The fund focuses purely on your academic project’s quality, prestige, and contribution to knowledge.
Minerva Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants can receive between €900 and €2000. The funding may be used for:
- Research costs
- International travel expenses
- Living costs abroad
This scholarship is designed to help you focus on your project instead of financial stress.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be enrolled as a Bachelor or Master student at Leiden University.
- Apply for a project that is exceptional or prestigious and falls under one of these categories:
- Study
- Research
- Internship
- Note: PhD tracks and complete Master programs are not eligible.
Apply: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/scholarships/sea/minerva-scholarship-fund
Application Deadlines
The Minerva Scholarship Fund has two application rounds each year, with deadlines set for 15 November 2025 and 15 April 2026. Results are communicated within one month of each deadline, following a careful evaluation by the selection committee composed of Leiden University faculty members. Applications are assessed based on their academic relevance, contribution to advancing knowledge, and the overall quality of the proposal..