Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS), is a financial aid program that allows talented non-Dutch students to study in the Netherlands. Originally managed centrally by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for international education, the programme has since evolved. The centralised OTS programme coordinated by NESO India was discontinued in 2024, but several individual Dutch universities continue to offer their own OTS-branded scholarships independently.
For Indian students, this means the scholarship is still available at a number of participating institutions, offering partial or full tuition fee waivers ranging from 25% to 100%, depending on the university and the sponsoring institution.
Note: The centralised Orange Tulip Scholarship programme previously managed by NESO India is no longer active.
Who is Eligible for the Orange Tulip Scholarship 2026?
Since each participating university manages its own OTS scheme, specific requirements vary by institution. That said, there are baseline criteria that apply across most participating universities.
Here are the main eligibility requirements:
A. Academic Eligibility Requirements
Most participating universities follow these baseline academic conditions:
Must hold a high school diploma for Bachelor's level applications, or a bachelor's degree for Master's level applications, from a non-Dutch institution
Must have applied for or received an offer of admission from a participating Dutch university before applying for OTS
Academic record must meet the specific entry requirements of your chosen university and program
Must not have previously studied at or obtained a degree from a Dutch educational institution
B. Language Requirements
Language requirements vary by university and program, so always confirm directly with the institution before applying:
English proficiency as required by the university, typically IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 to 100, depending on the institution and program
Some universities may require Dutch language proficiency for specific programs
Always confirm language requirements directly with the university's international office
C. Nationality and Residency Criteria
Along with academic requirements, you must also meet the following nationality and residency conditions:
Must be a citizen of a participating country. India is an eligible country for OTS
Must not be residing, studying, or working in the Netherlands at the time of application
Must not hold Dutch citizenship or permanent residency
Who May Not Be Eligible for the Orange Tulip Scholarship?
Even if you meet most conditions, you may still not qualify in the following situations:
Previously studied at or obtained a degree from a Dutch institution
Currently residing or working in the Netherlands
Not meeting the academic or language requirements of your chosen university
Applying to a university not part of the OTS programme
Since each university manages its own OTS scheme, the award amount and coverage vary by institution. Here's what's on offer at participating universities:
University Offering the Scholarship
Eligible Study Level
Scholarship Value and Coverage
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Master's
100% tuition fee waiver
Maastricht School of Management
Master's
€16,000 to €28,500 (around ₹17.21 lakh to ₹30.66 lakh) towards tuition
Institute of Social Studies (ISS)
Master's
€7,000 (around ₹7.53 lakh) towards tuition
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences
Master's
€7,500 (around ₹8.07 lakh) towards tuition
Institute of Housing and Urban Development
Master's
€3,500 (around ₹3.77 lakh) towards tuition
Hanze University of Applied Sciences
Master's
€3,000 (around ₹3.23 lakh) towards tuition
University of Groningen, Faculty of Arts
Master's
€450 per month (around ₹48,416 per month) towards living expenses
Breda University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor's
€3,000 (around ₹3.23 lakh) in the first year and €1,500 (around ₹1.61 lakh) in each subsequent year
Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Master's
€1,300 (around ₹1.40 lakh) towards tuition
Additional Benefits of the Orange Tulip Scholarship
Beyond tuition support:
Access to world-class education at leading Dutch institutions known for research and innovation
Exposure to a multicultural academic environment in the Netherlands
The scholarship is automatically renewed for the duration of the course, provided academic requirements are met
At some universities, OTS can be combined with other institution-specific financial aid
The scholarship generally doesn't cover living expenses, visa fees, health insurance, or travel costs unless specifically mentioned by the individual university.
Since the centralised OTS programme managed by NESO India is discontinued, applications now go directly through the international office or scholarship portal of each participating Dutch university. The process varies slightly by institution, but the general steps stay consistent.
Here's how it works:
Step 1: Check Eligibility Review the OTS details on your chosen university's official website. Confirm the university is currently participating and that applications are open for your intake.
Step 2: Apply for University Admission Submit your admission application first. At most participating universities, you need to have applied for or received an offer before being considered for OTS.
Step 3: Prepare Documents Collect all required documents well in advance. Requirements vary by university, so check the specific checklist on your institution's international office page.
Step 4: Fill the Scholarship Application Form Complete the OTS application form on your university's financial aid or scholarship portal, filling in personal, academic, and financial details as required.
Step 5: Submit Supporting Documents Upload or email all required documents as specified. Pay close attention to file formats, naming conventions, and deadlines, since these differ across institutions.
Step 6: Submit Your Application Go through everything before submitting. Most universities require the OTS application to be submitted separately from the admission application.
Documents Required for the Orange Tulip Scholarship
While exact requirements vary by university, here's what's typically needed:
Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL scorecard)
University admission letter or proof of admission application
Updated CV or resume
Financial plan or funding statement (required at some universities)
Document requirements vary by participating university. Always confirm the exact checklist with the international office before submitting. Incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions can result in disqualification.
Orange Tulip Scholarship Deadline
There's no single universal deadline here. Since each participating Dutch university manages its own OTS scheme, timelines vary by institution.
Here's how the 2026 cycle generally plays out:
Most participating universities have deadlines falling between February and May 2026
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has an earlier deadline of February 1, 2026
Fontys, Hanze, IHS, ISS, and Wittenborg have set their OTS deadline as April 1, 2026
Maastricht School of Management has a slightly later deadline of May 1, 2026
Results and notifications are typically communicated to applicants by mid-May
Applicants on the waiting list are notified if any accepted candidates don't confirm their scholarship
Since some universities close as early as February, research your target university's OTS timeline as early as possible and submit well before the cutoff.
Selection is merit-based and handled independently by each participating university. NESO India previously reviewed and forwarded applications, but since the centralised programme ended, universities now manage the full process themselves.
Here's how candidates are generally evaluated:
Application Screening Each university checks submitted applications against eligibility criteria, including nationality, academic background, and admission status.
Merit-Based Shortlisting Candidates are shortlisted based on academic performance, relevant work experience, and overall profile strength. The number of scholarships per university is limited, so competition is strong.
Document Evaluation Academic transcripts, motivation letters, recommendation letters, and financial plans are assessed in detail.
Final Selection Universities select candidates based on overall merit and notify applicants, typically by mid-May. Outcomes include selected, waitlisted, or rejected.
Confirmation Selected candidates must confirm acceptance within the specified timeframe. Waitlisted candidates may receive the scholarship if accepted candidates don't confirm.
How to Check Orange Tulip Scholarship Application Status?
After submitting, track your application through the scholarship or admission portal of your chosen Dutch university. Since each university manages its own process, the method varies by institution.
Here's how it generally works:
Step 1: Access Your Account Log in to the student or scholarship portal of your chosen university using the credentials you created during application.
Step 2: Navigate to Your Profile Go to your personal dashboard or application section where your submitted scholarship details are displayed.
Step 3: Check Progress Updates Look for updates on shortlisting, document verification, or any additional information requests from the international office.
Step 4: View Final Outcome Results are typically communicated by mid-May via the portal or registered email. Your status will show whether you've been selected, waitlisted, or not selected.
Common Reasons for Rejection of the Orange Tulip Scholarship
Applications can get rejected at screening itself if the basics aren't right. Here's what usually goes wrong:
Eligibility not met: Having a prior Dutch degree, currently residing in the Netherlands, or applying from a non-participating country
No university admission: Most universities require an active admission application or offer before OTS can be considered. Applying without this is a common oversight
Weak academic profile: Grades or academic records that don't meet the specific requirements of the chosen program
Incomplete or incorrect application: Missing documents, wrong file formats, incorrect email subject lines, or not following university-specific submission instructions
Strong competition: Since OTS seats per university are limited, even eligible candidates may not receive the award if the pool is particularly competitive that year
Non-participating university: Not all Dutch universities offer OTS. Applying to one that isn't part of the programme means automatic ineligibility
Conclusion
The Orange Tulip Scholarship remains one of the more accessible ways for Indian students to reduce the cost of studying in the Netherlands, even after the centralised NESO programme ended. Several leading Dutch universities continue to offer meaningful financial support through their own OTS schemes, ranging from partial tuition waivers to full coverage at institutions like Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The key is to plan early, confirm which universities are participating in the current cycle, secure your university admission first, and then apply for OTS through that institution's international office well before the deadline, since some close as early as February.
1. Who is eligible for the Orange Tulip Scholarship?
Indian citizens who haven't previously studied at a Dutch institution, aren't currently residing or working in the Netherlands, and have applied to or received an offer from a participating Dutch university are eligible. Academic performance and, at some universities, work experience are considered. Specific requirements vary by institution since each manages its own OTS scheme.
2. Is the Orange Tulip Scholarship discontinued?
The centralised programme coordinated by NESO India was discontinued in 2024, but the scholarship hasn't ended entirely. Several Dutch universities continue offering their own OTS-branded scholarships independently, with active 2026 deadlines. Students must now apply directly through their chosen university's international office.
3. What are the benefits of the Orange Tulip Scholarship?
Benefits vary by university, but most OTS awards cover partial or full tuition, ranging from 25% to 100%. Some also provide living cost support, like the University of Groningen's Faculty of Arts, which offers €450 per month (around ₹48,416). The scholarship is generally renewed automatically as long as academic requirements are met.
4. What is the ₹75,000 scholarship for the Netherlands?
That figure likely refers to the Holland Scholarship, which provides a one-time award of €5,000 (around ₹53,795 at current rates), which at older exchange rates was closer to ₹75,000. The Holland Scholarship is separate from OTS and is centrally funded through Nuffic for Bachelor's and Master's students at participating Dutch universities.
5. Can I combine the Orange Tulip Scholarship with the Holland Scholarship?
In many cases, yes. The Holland Scholarship is centrally funded while OTS is university-specific, and many Dutch universities allow both to be stacked. However, this depends on the individual university's policy, so always confirm with the financial aid or international office before assuming both can be combined.
6. How many Orange Tulip Scholarships are awarded to Indian students each year?
Historically around 50 were awarded annually under the centralised programme. Since universities now manage their own schemes, there's no single published total. The number available at each university is limited, making selection competitive.
7. Is the Orange Tulip Scholarship available for Bachelor's programs?
Yes, but not at all participating universities. Most OTS awards are for Master's programs. Breda University of Applied Sciences is one exception, offering €3,000 (around ₹3.23 lakh) in the first year and €1,500 (around ₹1.61 lakh) in subsequent years. Always check the level of study covered at your chosen university.
8. Do I need to apply to the university first before applying for OTS?
Yes. Most participating universities require an active admission application or offer before your OTS application can be considered. Applying for the scholarship without a university application is one of the most common reasons for disqualification. The two applications are usually submitted separately.
9. Are there any age restrictions for the Orange Tulip Scholarship?
No. Any Indian student who meets the academic, nationality, and residency criteria and has applied to a participating Dutch university can apply, regardless of age.
10. Can a student with another scholarship apply for OTS?
It depends on the university. Some may restrict double funding, and since OTS seats are limited, holding another scholarship may affect your chances. Disclose any existing scholarship when applying and confirm the university's policy before proceeding.
11. Which Dutch universities currently offer OTS in 2026?
Based on confirmed 2026 deadlines: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Maastricht School of Management, Institute of Social Studies, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Housing and Urban Development, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, University of Groningen (Faculty of Arts), Breda University of Applied Sciences, and Fontys University of Applied Sciences. Always verify directly with your chosen institution since participation is updated annually.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |4614 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
Refer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹15000
Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.
