Mahmoud S. Rabbani (MSR) Scholarship for Arab Master's and PhD Students in the Netherlands

About this scholarship

A scholarship of up to EUR 15,000 for students from Arab countries, Palestine among them, who are accepted into a master's or PhD programme at a university in the Netherlands. It is given for one academic year.

Funding type

Covers: up to EUR 15,000 for one academic year. You choose to have it paid for tuition directly to the university, or for living costs in four instalments in September, December, March and June, or a mix of both. It is for one academic year only. You can apply again the next year, but a second award is not guaranteed. Scholars join a mentoring programme. The scholarship can be held together with other funding.

Tuition fees

Partially covered

Living costs

Partially covered

Travel

Not specified

Insurance

Not specified

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities

Listed nationalities only — Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

Residence condition

No residence condition

Nationality of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates or Yemen An acceptance letter for a master's or PhD programme in the Netherlands. A conditional letter is accepted if you explain its conditions in your motivation letter Any Dutch institution counts, including universities of applied sciences and arts, music or film academies, if the programme is at master's or PhD level Students accepted at Leiden University apply for the Leiden University Fund - Lutfia Rabbani Foundation Scholarship instead of this one No minimum grade. Academic results, motivation, financial need and personal development are all assessed

Minimum grade

Not stated

Work experience asked for

Not stated

Return condition

Return condition not stated

How to apply

Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

No language test required

The foundation does not ask for a language test, as the acceptance letter from your university is taken as proof of your level. You must meet the language requirements of your programme.

University admission details

Required before applying?

The foundation's FAQ says the MSR round opens every year on 1 January and closes on 31 March at 23:59 CET. The page names no year, and the application form still says that the 31 March 2026 deadline has passed. Apply through the foundation's portal with all documents. Referees may email their letters directly to [email protected] if you tell the foundation beforehand. The decision is announced by early May at the latest. The scholarship does not pay for costs from before it is granted. Scholars send a mid-year progress report with grades, and a report on their experience within two months of finishing.

Required documents

Motivation and purpose statement in English, two pages at most CV in English Colour copy of your passport Degrees and transcripts with English translations Two signed references in English from academic or professional referees Acceptance letter from the Dutch university and an official course description Detailed budget on the foundation's template Signed and dated MSR application form

Application steps

Apply to your master's or PhD programme in the Netherlands early, so you have the acceptance letter before 31 March 2027. Prepare the motivation statement, CV, references and budget. Apply through the foundation's portal between 1 January and 31 March 2027, 23:59 CET. Check your spam folder for the confirmation email, and write to [email protected] if it does not arrive.

Requirement checklist

Scholarship contacts

Lutfia Rabbani Foundation scholarships desk: [email protected]Copy

Universities and contacts