The Fulbright/Maastricht University Award is a Netherlands partnership award within the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, offered with Maastricht University (UM).
Two U.S. grantees spend ten months enrolled in a UM graduate program in any field the university offers. UM teaches through Problem-Based Learning, and almost all its master’s and PhD programs are taught in English.
Benefits & funding
- Stipend of €1,750 a month for 10 months
- Full tuition waiver from Maastricht University
- One-time €1,250 for registration/permits and local transport, plus €1,000 toward a round-trip ticket
- Accident and sickness health benefits; visa fees covered
- Not available for the second year of a two-year program
Eligibility
- U.S. citizens or nationals at the deadline; permanent residents cannot apply
- Bachelor’s degree conferred before the grant starts (graduating seniors may apply); anyone holding a PhD by the deadline is ineligible
- Not open to anyone who lived abroad five or more of the six years before the deadline
- Dual U.S.–Dutch or U.S.–EU citizens are not considered
- No residence in the Netherlands in the year before the grant (one month counts)
- Dutch is not required
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Applicants must have a conferred bachelor's degree or equivalent before the start of the grant period. … Applicants who currently hold or will hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) by the national application deadline. … Anyone who has resided abroad for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the national application deadline. … Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant” Eligibility
Eligible nationalities
USA
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Apply through the Fulbright U.S. Student online application with three recommendation letters by the national deadline: 6 October 2026 for 2027–28 (now closed).
- 2Enrolled students apply via their campus Fulbright adviser (campus deadlines typically 4–6 weeks earlier); at-large applicants submit directly.
- 3Apply separately for admission to a UM program by 15 January 2027; late UM applicants are not considered.
- 4Hold a UM acceptance letter before the grant starts.
Program timeline
6 Oct 2026
Fulbright national deadline (2027–28; closed)
Maastricht University application deadline
15 Jan 2027
Recommended / non-recommended notice
End Jan 2027
Final decisions, on a rolling basis
Mar–Jun 2027
Grant starts
End Aug 2027