Belgium Master Mind Scholarship 2027: €10,225 Grant and Tuition Fee Waiver

 

Belgium Master Mind Scholarship 2027: Study in Flanders with Financial Support

Belgium Scholarship

The Master Mind Scholarship is a competitive scholarship programme offered by the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training to outstanding international students who want to pursue a master’s degree in Flanders or Brussels, Belgium.

The scholarship provides financial support to selected students and offers an opportunity to study at participating Flemish higher education institutions. It is intended for academically strong applicants who meet the programme’s academic, language and admission requirements.

The official website currently states that the 2026–2027 application call is closed. Prospective applicants should monitor the official scholarship page for information about the next application cycle.

What is the Belgium Master Mind Scholarship?

The Master Mind Scholarship is funded by the Flemish government to attract talented international students to higher education institutions in Flanders and Brussels.

Applicants must apply for an eligible master’s programme at a participating Flemish institution. The host institution assesses the applicant and may nominate qualified candidates for the scholarship.

Students cannot apply independently without being connected to a participating host institution.

What does the scholarship cover?

A Master Mind Scholarship includes:

• A grant of €10,225 per academic year.

• A tuition fee waiver, subject to the programme’s applicable conditions.

• The opportunity to study at a participating Flemish higher education institution.

• Financial support that may help cover living expenses, accommodation, insurance and study-related costs.

For a master’s programme worth 60 ECTS credits, the scholarship normally covers one academic year.

For a programme worth 120 ECTS credits, the scholarship may cover two academic years, provided the student continues to meet the scholarship requirements.

Although the scholarship includes a tuition fee waiver, the host institution may still charge a limited administrative or minimum tuition fee. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the official Study in Flanders website listed a minimum rate of €136.50, although this amount may change in future academic years.

Who can apply?

The Master Mind Scholarship is open to international applicants from eligible countries. According to the official eligibility information, all nationalities may apply except Russian nationals under the current rules.

Applicants generally need to meet the following requirements:

1. Apply for an eligible master’s programme

The applicant must apply for a master’s degree at a participating higher education institution in Flanders or Brussels.

The programme must generally consist of:

• One academic year with at least 60 ECTS credits; or

• Two academic years with at least 120 ECTS credits.

Not every programme is eligible. Preparatory programmes, bridging programmes and distance-learning programmes are excluded under the current rules.

2. Have strong academic performance

Applicants are expected to demonstrate outstanding academic performance or potential.

The official programme information specifies a minimum academic standard equivalent to a Grade Point Average of 3.5 out of 4.0. The GPA is calculated using the applicant’s most recently obtained bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Applicants should check how their academic records will be assessed and use the GPA calculation guidance provided by the official scholarship website.

3. Meet the English-language requirements

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English for their chosen programme.

The exact language requirement depends on the host institution and programme. Applicants may need to provide an accepted English-language test result, such as IELTS or TOEFL, unless the institution grants an exemption.

The host institution determines which language certificates and exemptions it accepts.

4. Obtain admission from a participating institution

Applicants must apply to a participating Flemish higher education institution and meet its admission requirements.

The applicant must be accepted by the host institution in order to receive the scholarship. The institution may nominate qualified candidates for the Master Mind Scholarship.

An applicant can be nominated by only one Flemish host institution.

5. Have a qualifying previous degree

The previous degree used for admission to the master’s programme must not have been obtained from a Flemish higher education institution.

International students who previously participated in credit mobility, such as an exchange programme, may still be eligible under the applicable rules.

Which institutions participate?

The scholarship is available through participating Flemish higher education institutions. These may include universities, schools of arts, universities of applied sciences and the Antwerp Maritime Academy.

The official list of participating institutions and their application deadlines is published by Study in Flanders.

Applicants should confirm that their intended institution is listed before preparing an application. If an institution is not included on the official list, applicants cannot apply for the scholarship through that institution.

What documents are required?

Applicants should prepare the documents required by both the host institution and the scholarship programme.

These may include:

• A copy of a valid passport or national identity document.

• A curriculum vitae.

• Academic certificates and transcripts.

• Proof of academic performance or GPA.

• Proof of English-language proficiency or an exemption letter.

• A motivation letter written in English.

• Two signed recommendation letters from professors, a previous university, a university of applied sciences, an arts institution or a recent employer.

• Evidence of publications, academic awards or previous scholarships, where applicable.

• Other documents requested by the host institution.

Academic documents written in a language other than Dutch, French, German or English may require a certified translation.

How to apply for the Master Mind Scholarship

The application process generally follows these steps:

Step 1: Find an eligible master’s programme

Search for a suitable master’s programme in Flanders or Brussels and confirm that the programme is eligible for the scholarship.

Step 2: Check the participating institution

Review the official list of participating institutions and select a host institution that offers your chosen programme.

Step 3: Apply for admission

Submit an application for admission according to the institution’s instructions. Pay close attention to the university’s admission deadline, which may be earlier than the scholarship deadline.

Step 4: Prepare your scholarship documents

Prepare your CV, transcripts, motivation letter, language certificate, recommendation letters and any other required documents.

Step 5: Follow the institution’s nomination process

The host institution reviews applications and nominates eligible candidates for the Master Mind Scholarship.

Applicants should follow the specific instructions and deadlines provided by their selected institution.

Step 6: Wait for the scholarship selection decision

The final scholarship selection is made according to the programme’s selection procedure. Applicants should monitor their email and the official scholarship information provided by the host institution.

Can students combine the scholarship with other funding?

The Master Mind Scholarship cannot be combined with certain other scholarships, including:

• Another scholarship from the Flemish government.

• An Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

• Certain other major scholarship programmes listed in the official rules.

Applicants should carefully review the current scholarship conditions before accepting another funding award.

Where can applicants find the official information?

Applicants should use the following official resources:

• Master Mind Scholarship official information

• Master Mind Scholarship eligibility criteria

• How to apply for the Master Mind Scholarship

• Participating institutions and deadlines

• English-taught programmes in Flanders

Can scholarship holders study outside Flanders?

Student mobility to partner institutions outside Flanders and Brussels may be permitted, including mobility under programmes such as Erasmus+.

However, the official rules state that at least half of the credits for the master’s programme must be obtained at the Flemish host institution.

Students should confirm the mobility conditions with their host institution before making travel or study arrangements.

Is the Master Mind Scholarship fully funded?

The scholarship provides substantial financial support through an annual grant and a tuition fee waiver. However, applicants should not assume that every possible expense will automatically be covered.

Students may still need to budget for:

• Travel costs.

• Visa-related expenses.

• Personal expenses.

• Accommodation costs beyond the available grant.

• Additional administrative fees.

• Other expenses not covered by the scholarship.

Applicants should review the official scholarship conditions and calculate their expected expenses before travelling to Belgium.

When is the application deadline?

The deadline is not necessarily the same for every participating institution.

The official Study in Flanders website states that the 2026–2027 Master Mind Scholarship call is closed. The deadlines for future application cycles should be confirmed through the official scholarship website and the participating institution.

Applicants should begin preparing early because university admission deadlines may come before the scholarship nomination deadline.

Final thoughts

The Belgium Master Mind Scholarship offers academically strong international students an opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in Flanders or Brussels with significant financial support.

The programme is highly competitive, and applicants must meet both the scholarship requirements and the admission conditions of their chosen institution.

Since the 2026–2027 application cycle is closed, prospective applicants should begin preparing their academic documents, motivation letter and language certificate while monitoring the official Study in Flanders website for the next call.