Tinbergen Institute, the graduate school of the economics schools of Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam · Application cycle 2027/2028

Tinbergen Institute Research Master in Economics Scholarships in the Netherlands 2027/2028

Applications open Varies by track?

About this scholarship

Scholarships for the two-year Research Master in Economics at the Tinbergen Institute in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, a program that prepares students for a PhD. First-year scholarships pay EUR 1,500 or EUR 750 a month, and some students also get part of the tuition fee waived.

Funding type

Covers, for selected first-year students: a full scholarship of EUR 1,500 a month, or a smaller scholarship of EUR 750 a month. In the second year: EUR 1,000 a month for a weighted core-course GPA of 8 or higher at the end of block IV of year one, or EUR 750 a month for 7.5 or higher. This depends on your offer and on passing to year two. Some selected students also have part of the institutional fee waived, as stated in the offer. The statutory fee is never waived. Does not cover: the 2027/2028 fee for non-EEA students of EUR 21,200 a year, except for any waiver given. The institute puts living costs at EUR 1,000 to 1,500 a month. The program pays travel between the Amsterdam and Rotterdam campuses for study purposes. In the PhD phase students are usually employed by a partner school. The starting gross salary was EUR 3,204 or EUR 3,706 a month in 2026/27.

Tuition fees: Partially covered
Living costs: Partially covered
Travel: Not specified
Insurance: Not specified

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities: All nationalities
Residence condition: No residence condition

No nationality restriction is stated. Non-EEA applicants have their own deadlines and fees A university bachelor's or master's degree with outstanding results, especially in quantitative and core courses The GRE General Test for applicants without a Dutch degree. A Quantitative score below 160 is not considered Strong motivation to do a PhD in economics, econometrics or finance Scholarships are merit based and go to a limited number of admitted students

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

Language test required TOEFL iBT IELTS Waiver possible

TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7 for applicants without a Dutch degree. You are exempt if you show that your degree program was taught in English.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

Applications for the intake starting in September 2027 opened on 1 October 2026. Start in Studielink, then complete the application in the Erasmus University Rotterdam portal and say that you want TI funding. Deadlines for non-EEA applicants: 1 December 2026 for the first round, which the institute strongly advises for scholarship applicants, and 1 February 2027 as the final round. All documents, test scores and letters must arrive by 23:59 CET on the deadline day. There is no application fee. Selected applicants have an online interview, and decisions come within eight weeks of the deadline. Any scholarship or fee waiver is written in the offer letter; if the letter does not mention one, there is none. The program lasts two years (120 EC) and is taught in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Completing it does not guarantee a PhD position.

Required documents

Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts, with certified translations if they are not in English GRE score report, and a TOEFL or IELTS report if needed Motivation letter with a short research proposal, up to 2 pages Recent CV Optional: a piece of research such as a thesis or a paper Names and professional email addresses of two recommenders

Application steps

Ask two academic recommenders early and get their professional email addresses. Take the GRE and send the scores with the institute code 3811. Register in Studielink for the TI Research Master in Economics, then complete the application in the Erasmus University portal and ask for TI funding. Submit everything by 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET.

Requirement checklist

Studielink, then the Erasmus University portal Required

You start in Studielink, then finish the application in the Erasmus University Rotterdam admissions portal and say there that you want TI funding.

GRE General Test Required

All three sections, for applicants without a Dutch degree. A Quantitative score below 160 is not considered.

Motivation letter with a short research proposal Required

Up to 2 pages, 300 to 500 words a page.

Two recommendation letters Required

From people experienced in academic research, with professional email addresses, not gmail or similar.

English test Conditional?

TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7, unless your degree is Dutch or was taught in English.

Online interview Conditional?

For selected applicants.

Scholarship contacts

Tinbergen Institute admissions office: [email protected]

Universities and contacts