Would you like a free master’s degree at one of Europe’s top technical universities? Then this scholarship deserves your attention. The Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship pays your full tuition at TU Delft in the Netherlands for two years. It also adds a monthly contribution toward your living costs. For a non-EU student, the tuition alone is worth more than €51,000. Here is the catch: only 16 students win each year, and the deadline is 1 December 2026. Let us walk through everything you need to know. If you are comparing options, our list of scholarships and internships abroad with upcoming deadlines is a good place to start.
Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship |
| University | Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Netherlands |
| Level | Two-year regular master’s (MSc) |
| Fields | Engineering, technology, science and architecture |
| Funding | Full tuition fees plus a monthly living contribution |
| Number of awards | 16 per year (2 per faculty) |
| Open to | International students from any country |
| Deadline | 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET |
| Results | By the end of March 2027 |
| Study starts | September 2027 |
What Is This Scholarship About?
Justus van Effen studied at TU Delft in the 1940s. He strongly believed technology could solve society’s biggest problems. Today, his legacy funds talented international students who want to study at TU Delft and grow into engineers committed to sustainability. TU Delft offers 16 of these full scholarships. The university also warns that it receives far more applications than it can fund, so only the strongest candidates win.
What You Get
- Full tuition fees. TU Delft covers your tuition at the statutory or institutional rate, depending on the nationality you register with.
- A monthly living contribution for 24 months. The official page does not print the amount. It appears in your award letter. Some websites quote different figures, so do not build your budget around them.
- A strict two-year limit. The scholarship runs for 24 months and nobody gets an extension.
Here is what the tuition part looks like in euros:
| Student type | 2026-27 | 2027-28 (listed) |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA, Swiss, Surinamese (statutory rate) | €2,694 | €2,771 |
| Non-EU master’s (institutional rate) | €25,633 | €26,479 |
The 2027-28 figures come from a third-party site that tracks TU Delft, so confirm them on the official tuition fees page.
What it does not cover: flights, accommodation, and your settling-in costs. TU Delft estimates about €1,500 for settling in. Your first living payment arrives between the end of September and mid-October. You must be in the Netherlands, fully enrolled, and have a Dutch bank account first. So bring enough savings to cover those opening weeks.
Who Can Apply?
You can apply if you meet all of these conditions:
- You are an excellent international applicant, admitted or conditionally admitted to a regular two-year TU Delft MSc programme.
- Your previous studies are relevant to the programme, and your results are outstanding. As a guide, you should sit in the top 10% of your graduating class. TU Delft does not ask for proof of ranking. The figure only shows how competitive the race is.
- You will not be older than 35 on 1 September 2027.
- You did not earn your bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university.
- You have not already started studying at TU Delft.
- You are not applying as an EU citizen for a non-EU scholarship. Dual EU and non-EU nationals cannot do this.
- You submit a complete MSc application before the deadline.
Programmes that do not qualify:
- International Joint Education Programmes
- Metropolitan Analysis, Design and Engineering
- Applied Geophysics
- The Berlage Post-master
- Industrial Ecology
- Geographical Information Management and Applications
Documents You Need
Gather these early, because an incomplete file will not be reviewed:
- A complete MSc application: diploma, transcript, English language certificate, motivation letter, CV, and proof of identity
- The Scholarship Application Form (2027-2029)
- One reference letter. If you have two referees, merge both letters into a single PDF.
Many programmes ask for an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL iBT score of 90, but requirements differ by programme. Some programmes also ask for a GRE score. Check your programme’s admission requirements and upload every test result before the deadline. If language tests worry you, see how some countries work around them in our guide to studying in Germany without IELTS on scholarship.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Read the official scholarship page and the scholarship FAQ.
- Pick an eligible two-year MSc programme.
- Complete your MSc application through the TU Delft process.
- Upload the scholarship form, your reference letter, and your English certificate in the same application.
- Submit everything before 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET.
- Compare it with the programme’s own deadline on the dates and deadlines page. Whichever date comes first is your real deadline.
Key Dates
- 1 December 2026: Scholarship and application deadline
- After admission review: Faculty committees select the winners
- End of March 2027: Winners receive an email. No email means you were not selected.
- Late September to mid-October 2027: First living payment
- End of your first year: You need at least 48 of 60 ECTS credits to keep the second-year funding
If you miss this round, you can apply again for the next academic year with a fresh MSc application.
Conditions You Must Meet After Winning
- Earn at least 48 out of 60 ECTS credits in year one.
- Do not accept any other partial or full scholarship alongside this one.
- Stay enrolled at TU Delft throughout the scholarship period.
- Think twice about part-time work. TU Delft does not recommend it because it can hurt your studies.
Tips to Boost Your Chances
- Apply early. You do not need an admission decision before the deadline, but you do need a complete file.
- Choose your referee carefully. Ask a professor or supervisor who knows your work well. A detailed letter beats a famous name.
- Show proof of excellence. Mention your class rank, awards, research projects, or publications.
- Connect with TU Delft’s mission. Explain how your studies will serve sustainability or society.
- Plan a backup. Calculate the cost of two years without funding before you apply.
What Past Winners Say
Swetha Krishnan, who graduated in 2024, says the award gave her the confidence to build expertise in a field she cared about. She now runs her own play design studio, Sticks & Stones. Sarah Sultana, a 2026 graduate, says the scholarship gave her the freedom to choose courses she truly liked and finish her master’s in two years. Aerospace engineering graduate Eden Pfanner says it opened the door to life abroad and real personal growth.
Backup Funding Options
TU Delft admits that very few external scholarships exist for international students. Still, check these:
- Scholarships from other providers (TU Delft)
- Study in Holland finance guide
- Scholarship Portal: Netherlands
- Your local embassy or education ministry
You can also look beyond the Netherlands. Good starting points include the Imperial College London scholarships worth £15,000 a year, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, the Martingale Foundation scholarships, and the Chevening Scholarship.
Special Note: Electrical Engineering Scholarship
TU Delft also offers up to two partial scholarships for the MSc in Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics track. You need a GPA of at least 80% from a respected university outside the Netherlands. The deadline matches the van Effen one. To keep the second year, you must hold an average of 8.0 (80%). A thesis grade of 9 or higher can even lead to a PhD offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Justus & Louise van Effen Scholarship?
Excellent international applicants admitted, or conditionally admitted, to a regular two-year TU Delft master’s can apply. You must not be older than 35 on 1 September, hold a non-Dutch bachelor’s degree, and finish your full application before the deadline.
Does the scholarship cover living costs?
Yes, partly. You receive a monthly contribution toward living expenses for 24 months, and the exact amount appears in your award letter. Flights, rent, and your first settling-in costs are not covered separately, so plan for them.
Do I need to be admitted before the deadline?
No. You only need a complete application, including the scholarship form and reference letter, before 1 December 2026. TU Delft reviews your admission first, then considers you for the scholarship if you are admitted or conditionally admitted.
Can I keep the scholarship for the second year?
Yes, if you earn at least 48 of the 60 ECTS credits in your first year. The scholarship lasts 24 months only, and TU Delft does not extend it if you finish late.
What happens if I do not win?
TU Delft only emails winners, usually by the end of March 2027. If you hear nothing, you were not selected. You can still enrol and pay tuition yourself, or look at other funding sources.
Final Thoughts
This scholarship is tough to win, but the reward is huge. Start your documents today, double-check every upload, and submit before 1 December 2026. Good luck!
Where to Apply and Learn More
Always rely on TU Delft’s official pages for the latest dates and requirements.
Disclaimer: Scholarship terms, amounts and dates can change. Verify all details directly with TU Delft before applying.
About the Author
Damilare Abogunrin
Content Writer | FundedAbroad.com
Damilare Abogunrin writes about international career opportunities, scholarships, internships and visa-related jobs. Through his work at FundedAbroad.com, he helps readers discover opportunities abroad, understand application requirements and find official application channels.
He focuses on making opportunity listings clear, practical and easy to understand, so readers can assess eligibility and prepare stronger applications. He encourages applicants to verify job details and immigration requirements directly with employers and official sources.