In this guide, we explain the Eric Bleumink scholarship award in simple terms: who qualifies, how nomination works, the timeline for the September 2027 intake, the documents to prepare, and the mistakes to avoid.
If you are a Nigerian graduate looking for a fully funded master’s degree in Europe, the Eric Bleumink scholarship should be on your shortlist. Nigeria appears on the university’s official list of eligible countries of origin, and the award is given through the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. It covers tuition fee, international travel, subsistence, books and health insurance. That is a big help when you consider how expensive it is to study abroad today.
However, many blogs skip one important detail: you cannot apply directly for this award. The Admissions Office and the Faculty Admission Boards nominate suitable candidates. This means the way you prepare your master’s application matters more than any “scholarship form” you may see online.
A quick note on the name. The university officially calls this award the Eric Bleumink Fellowship (EBF) Talent Grant. Most Nigerians search for it as the Eric Bleumink scholarship, so we use that popular name and the official name interchangeably in this article.
Eric Bleumink Scholarship at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Eric Bleumink Fellowship (EBF) Talent Grant |
| Provider | University of Groningen, Netherlands |
| Level of study | Master’s degree (MSc, MA, LL.M.) |
| Programmes covered | All master’s programmes, according to the university’s page |
| Duration | 1 year or 2 years, depending on your programme |
| Start date | September intake only |
| Is Nigeria eligible? | Yes, Nigeria is on the official list of countries of origin |
| Direct application? | No. You are nominated by the university |
| Master’s application deadline for consideration | Completed before 1 December |
| Admission offer needed | Provisional or unconditional offer before February |
| Nomination notice | You are informed before 1 February |
What Is the Eric Bleumink Scholarship?
The funds raised by the Eric Bleumink Fellowship are meant to provide grants to promising students from the least developed countries who wish to obtain a master’s degree. The training of these candidates should help increase the academic capability of their home country. In other words, the fund is not only about helping an individual student. It is about building skills that can serve the student’s country after graduation.
The University of Groningen was founded in 1614 and describes itself as a top 100 university. The award is very popular. The university says it receives hundreds of applications for the grant every year, but only a few can be awarded.
So while the Eric Bleumink scholarship is a real opportunity, Nigerian applicants should go in with realistic expectations. Always have a plan B, which we discuss later in this guide.
What Does the Eric Bleumink Scholarship Cover?
According to the university, the grant is awarded for a 1-year or 2-year master’s programme starting in September only. The benefits are as follows:
| Benefit | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Tuition fee | Yes |
| International travel costs | Yes |
| Subsistence (living costs) | Yes |
| Books | Yes |
| Health insurance | Yes |
| Duration of support | 1 or 2 years, depending on the programme |
Kindly note that the official page does not state a fixed naira or euro figure for the living allowance. Some third-party websites quote a yearly stipend of €13,000, but this is not confirmed on the university’s page. Treat such figures as unofficial until the university tells you the exact amount in your award letter.
The official page also does not list visa or residence permit costs. If you are nominated, ask the university what is included so you can plan your budget properly.
Eligibility Criteria for the Eric Bleumink Scholarship
The university lists eight conditions for candidates. Here they are, with a simple explanation of what each means for a Nigerian applicant: University of Groningen
| # | Official criterion | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Provisional or unconditional admission to a master’s programme before February | You must first get admission. No admission, no nomination. |
| 2 | Excellent academic performance, preferably confirmed by recommendation letters | Choose lecturers who know your work well as referees. |
| 3 | Excellent grades in your bachelor’s degree | A strong first degree result matters. The university does not publish a minimum CGPA, but competition is high. |
| 4 | Excellent English proficiency, as required by your programme | Check your programme page for the accepted tests and scores, such as IELTS or TOEFL. |
| 5 | Available for the whole programme | You must be able to complete the full 1 or 2 years. |
| 6 | Good health, so health insurance can be arranged | This is required so that insurance in the Netherlands can be arranged. |
| 7 | Nationality of a listed country | You must hold Nigerian nationality (or another listed country). |
| 8 | No other means of financing the study | The award is for candidates who truly cannot fund the programme themselves. |
Please read all eight points carefully. Many Nigerian applicants focus only on grades, but criterion 8 is equally important. The scholarship is meant for people with real financial need.
How the Nomination Process Works
This is where the Eric Bleumink scholarship differs from most scholarships you may know. The nomination is based on your application to one of the university’s master’s programmes and on the EBF nomination criteria. There is no separate scholarship form to fill.
Here is how it works in practice:
- You apply for a master’s programme at the University of Groningen.
- The Admissions Office, together with the faculty Admission Boards, reviews your application.
- If you are selected, you will be informed of your nomination before 1 February.
- If you do not hear anything by 1 February, it means you were not selected. The university asks people not to send further correspondence or applications about this.
Please do not email the university to “apply” for the scholarship. The university has clearly said this is not the correct route.
Timeline for the September 2027 Intake
Since the award is for September starts only, and the September 2026 intake has already begun, the next opportunity for Nigerian applicants is the September 2027 intake. This is the timeline based on the university’s published rules:
| Period | What to do |
|---|---|
| Now to October 2026 | Choose your master’s programme, check its requirements, and start collecting documents |
| November 2026 | Book or complete your English test if required, and finalise referee letters |
| Before 1 December 2026 | Complete your master’s application so you can be considered |
| December 2026 to January 2027 | The Admissions Office and faculty boards assess applications |
| Before 1 February 2027 | Nominated candidates are informed |
| Before February 2027 | You need a provisional or unconditional admission offer to be considered |
| September 2027 | Programme starts |
Please note that individual programmes may have their own deadlines and requirements. Always confirm on your chosen programme’s page and on the official scholarship page, because dates can change.
Step-by-Step Guide for Nigerian Applicants
Follow these steps to give yourself the best chance of being nominated for the Eric Bleumink scholarship.
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. Make sure you hold Nigerian nationality and that you meet the eight criteria above. Be honest with yourself about criterion 8 on financing.
Step 2: Choose the right programme. Since all master’s programmes are open, pick one that matches your first degree and career plans. A clear academic path makes your application stronger.
Step 3: Study the admission requirements. Each programme sets its own requirements for degree background, English level and documents. Read them carefully so you do not waste your application.
Step 4: Start early on your documents. Getting transcripts from a Nigerian university can take weeks, and referees are often busy. Do not wait until November.
Step 5: Write a clear motivation letter. Explain why you chose the programme and how the training will help you contribute to Nigeria’s development. This fits the purpose of the fund, but keep your letter honest and specific. Avoid copying templates from the internet.
Step 6: Submit well before 1 December. Aim to submit weeks before the date, not on the last day. Internet and portal problems happen.
Step 7: Wait for the university’s message. Check your email and spam folder regularly until 1 February. Keep applying for other scholarships in the meantime.
Documents to Prepare
The exact list differs by programme, but Nigerian applicants should typically prepare the following. Please confirm on your programme page.
| Document | Practical tip |
|---|---|
| Academic transcripts | Request early from your school’s records office |
| Degree certificate | Have a clear scanned copy ready |
| Curriculum vitae (CV) | Keep it short and academic-focused |
| Motivation letter | Personalised for the programme |
| Recommendation letters | From lecturers or supervisors who know your work |
| English test result | IELTS, TOEFL or as accepted by your programme |
| Passport data page | Check that it will not expire soon |
Mistakes and Scams to Avoid
Because the Eric Bleumink scholarship is popular, some websites and social media pages use it to attract clicks or, worse, to collect money. Watch out for these:
- Sending “scholarship applications” by email. The university says you cannot apply directly.
- Paying agents or “consultants” for a guaranteed nomination. Nobody can guarantee it. The university’s own pages mention no such payment, so be very careful with anyone who asks for money.
- Missing the 1 December master’s application date. Late applicants cannot be considered.
- Relying on outdated blogs. Some sites still show old deadlines. Always confirm on rug.nl.
- Ignoring the financing criterion. If you clearly have other means of paying, your case may be weaker.
- Weak or rushed documents. Poor scans, missing pages and generic letters reduce your chances of admission, which is step one.
If in doubt, use only the University of Groningen’s official website and contact its Admissions Office through the official channels.
What If You Are Not Nominated?
Not being nominated for the Eric Bleumink scholarship is not the end of your study-abroad dream. Here are some options to consider:
- Other University of Groningen awards. The university’s scholarship pages list other funds, such as the Dirk Smilde Fellowship and the García Martínez Research Master Scholarship. Check their eligibility on the official website.
- Other international scholarships. Options such as Chevening, Commonwealth, DAAD and Erasmus Mundus have their own rules and deadlines, so check the current status of each one.
- Other universities and countries. Apply to more than one programme so that one rejection does not stop your plans.
- Self-funded or partly funded study. Only consider this if you can prove you can cover the costs, since immigration authorities will ask for evidence.
About This Guide
This guide on the Eric Bleumink scholarship was prepared by reviewing the University of Groningen’s official scholarship page and its “Applying for a grant” page, both of which we checked in September 2026. We also compared them with third-party scholarship websites, and where those sites disagreed with the university, we followed the university.
This article is for information only. MyEduWise is not the University of Groningen and does not receive applications or make nomination decisions. Rules, deadlines and benefits can change, so please confirm the final details on the official website before you make any decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Eric Bleumink scholarship?
It is a grant from the University of Groningen for promising master’s students from eligible developing countries. The official name is the Eric Bleumink Fellowship (EBF) Talent Grant. It covers tuition fee, international travel, subsistence, books and health insurance.
2. Is Nigeria eligible?
Yes. Nigeria is included in the list of countries of origin on the official page. You must hold Nigerian nationality.
3. Can I apply directly for the Eric Bleumink scholarship?
No. You cannot apply directly. The Admissions Office and the Faculty Admission Boards nominate candidates from among people who have applied to a master’s programme.
4. What is the deadline?
There is no separate scholarship deadline. Your master’s application should be completed before 1 December, and you need an admission offer before February to be considered. Always check your own programme’s deadline too. University of Groningen
5. How will I know if I am nominated?
You will be informed before 1 February. If you hear nothing by then, you were not selected. rug
6. Which courses can I study with the scholarship?
The university’s page lists all master’s programmes (MSc, MA and LL.M.). Check the university’s master’s programme list to see what is available.
7. Does the Eric Bleumink scholarship cover PhD studies?
According to the official page, the grant is for master’s programmes only. Some third-party sites mention PhD funding, but these are not supported by the university’s page, so do not rely on them.
8. Is there a minimum CGPA for the Eric Bleumink scholarship?
The university does not publish a minimum. It asks for excellent grades in your bachelor’s degree. Since competition is high, a strong first degree result will help your case.
9. How many people receive the award each year?
The official page does not give a fixed number. It only says that hundreds of people apply and only a few receive the grant. One media report mentioned four awards a year, but treat that number as unconfirmed. rug
10. Can I combine it with another scholarship?
One of the criteria is that you have no other means of financing the study. If you are offered another full scholarship, read the university’s Rules and Regulations and inform the university honestly.
11. Is the scholarship for one year or two years?
It depends on your programme. The grant is awarded for master’s programmes of 1 year or 2 years. University of Groningen
12. Can I start in January or February?
No. The grant is for programmes starting in September only. University of Groningen
13. Is an English test compulsory?
You must show excellent English in line with your programme’s requirements. Check your programme page for accepted tests and scores.
Conclusion
The Eric Bleumink scholarship is one of the more valuable funding opportunities available to Nigerian master’s applicants who need financial support, but it is also highly competitive. Because you cannot apply directly, your best strategy is to choose your programme wisely, prepare strong documents early, complete your master’s application well before 1 December, and be honest about your financial situation.
Always rely on the University of Groningen’s official pages for final information, and be careful of anyone asking for money to “secure” a nomination. Start preparing today, and good luck with your application.
