If you’ve been waiting for Europe to officially roll out high-value scholarships for top international graduates, this is one of those moments you should not ignore. Belgium, through the Flemish region, has opened applications for the Master Minds Fellowship 2026, a prestigious funding opportunity designed to attract outstanding international students to its leading universities — including Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
Backed by the Flemish Government, this fellowship targets academically strong Bachelor’s graduates worldwide who are ready to pursue a Master’s degree in Belgium with significant financial support.
What This Fellowship Offers Successful Candidates?
The Master Minds Fellowship is designed to substantially reduce the financial burden of studying in Europe, while recognizing academic excellence.
The fellowship winners will get:
- A fixed grant of €10,020 per academic year
- Strong tuition fee reduction, limiting fees to the Flemish student rate (approximately €139.40 for the academic year)
- Funding valid for the full duration of the Master’s programme (second year for two-year Master’s programmes is conditional)
Note: Health insurance, flights, and language preparation courses are not included, so applicants should plan accordingly.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
This fellowship is highly selective and aimed at top-performing international students. Before preparing your application, make sure you meet all the academic and eligibility requirements.
You are eligible if you:
- Hold a Bachelor’s / undergraduate degree
- Have a minimum CGPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 (calculated via Scholaro)
- Are a citizen of any country except Russia
- Are not currently enrolled in, and have not graduated from, a Flemish higher education institution
- Have received an official admission letter from VUB (mandatory before applying)
- Meet the higher English language requirements, including:
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 94
- IELTS Academic: minimum Band 7.0
- Cambridge English: C1 level with a minimum score of 185.
How to Apply — Step-by-Step Overview
The application process follows a clear sequence and must be completed carefully to avoid disqualification.
First, apply for a Master’s programme at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and secure your official admission letter from the Education and Student Administration Office. Only admitted students are eligible to apply for the fellowship.
Once admitted, submit your online Master Minds Fellowship application, uploading all required documents, including academic transcripts, GPA calculation proof, English test results, motivation letter, CV, recommendations, and certified diploma copies. Applications must be complete and submitted before the deadline.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Master Minds Fellowship 2026 at Vrije Universiteit Brussel is March 26, 2026, at 23:59 (GMT+1).