The Tinbergen Institute Research Master Scholarship, offered in the Netherlands by a consortium of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), the University of Amsterdam (UvA), and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), is a prestigious, merit-based award for high-performing international students pursuing a two-year Research Master’s in Economics, Econometrics, or Finance. Funding includes full scholarships (up to €1,500/month stipend in the first year) or partial scholarships (€750/month), partial tuition fee waivers, and a clear path to a fully funded PhD position. Eligibility requires a Bachelor’s in a related quantitative discipline, strong GRE scores, and excellent academic performance. Applicants must apply for the Research Master program and indicate their interest in the scholarship by the official deadline of March 1, 2026.
Fully Funded Tinbergen Institute Research Masters Scholarship 2026 Summary
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Netherlands |
| Study Abroad | Study in Netherlands (Amsterdam & Rotterdam) |
| Category | Research Master Scholarships / Fellowships |
| Eligible Countries | All Countries (Global Eligibility – EEA and Non-EEA) |
| Reward | Up to €1,500 monthly stipend + Partial Tuition Waiver + Full PhD Funding |
| Key Criteria | Bachelor’s in Quantitative Field, Excellent GPA, High GRE Quantitative Score |
| Application Deadline | March 1, 2026 |
The Tinbergen Institute (TI) is one of Europe’s premier graduate schools, specializing in advanced research in Economics, Econometrics, and Finance. Jointly operated by the economics and business faculties of three major Dutch universities, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University of Amsterdam, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, TI is dedicated to training the next generation of academic and policy leaders. The Research Master’s program is a rigorous two-year foundation designed explicitly for students intending to pursue a PhD and a subsequent career in research.
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To support this mission and attract the world’s most talented students, the Tinbergen Institute offers a highly competitive scholarship program. This merit-based funding package provides essential financial assistance, covering living expenses and contributing to academic costs for exceptional international and EEA students. By alleviating financial pressure, the scholarship allows recipients to focus entirely on the demands of advanced methodological and theoretical training, which is crucial for success at the doctoral level.
The institute’s commitment extends beyond the two-year Research Master. Successful scholarship recipients who meet the academic requirements are typically fast-tracked into the PhD phase, where they receive fully funded research positions. This creates an unparalleled, five-year pathway to a doctorate, securing both the high-quality research training and the necessary financial stability for students dedicated to cutting-edge economic and financial analysis.
Scholarship Details
The Research Master is a two-year degree program focusing on rigorous training in core disciplines like Economics, Econometrics, Finance, and Data Science for Business. The scholarship is explicitly targeted at students admitted to this program, with admission being open to applicants from all countries, including both EEA nationals and Non-EEA international students. The core philosophy of the TI scholarship is to reward outstanding academic promise and research potential, ensuring that financial limitations do not prevent the best candidates from joining the program. No special application is required for sponsored students, as the scholarship is part of the central admissions and funding process.
Benefits and Specific Scholarship Awards of the Tinbergen Institute Admission
The TI scholarship system provides tiered support based on academic merit and continues to incentivize high performance throughout the program.
Tier 1: Full Scholarship Status (Up to €1,500 Monthly Stipend)
This highest level of award is granted to the most outstanding admitted students.
- First Year (2026-2027): Recipients receive a full monthly stipend of €1,500 to cover living and accommodation costs, along with partial institutional tuition fee waivers.
- Second Year (2027-2028): Continuation of the Full Scholarship Status (a monthly stipend of €1,000) is contingent upon maintaining a weighted GPA of 8.0 or higher in all core courses, demonstrating exceptional academic commitment.
Tier 2: Partial Scholarship Status
This mid-level award provides significant financial support to high-performing students who meet merit criteria but are not selected for the top tier.
- First Year (2026-2027): Recipients receive a partial monthly stipend of €750, alongside partial institutional tuition fee waivers.
- Second Year (2027-2028): Continuation of the Partial Scholarship Status (a monthly stipend of €750) is available to students who achieve a weighted GPA of 7.5 or higher in all core courses.
Tier 3: Additional Financial Support and PhD Pathway
These benefits supplement the tiered stipend awards and secure the long-term career path of TI graduates.
- Institutional Tuition Fee Waivers (partial).
- Compensation for travel expenses incurred while commuting between the Amsterdam and Rotterdam campuses for courses.
- Opportunity to secure paid Teaching and Research Assistant (TA/RA) positions during the second year of the Research Master.
- Fully Funded PhD Position: Graduates of the Research Master typically transition directly into a fully funded PhD track with a competitive gross monthly salary starting from €3,059–€3,546, which increases to €3,881 by the final year, and involves no tuition fees.
Eligibility Requirements for Tinbergen Institute Research Master Scholarship 2026
To qualify for scholarship consideration and admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic/Discipline: Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Econometrics, Mathematics, or a highly related quantitative discipline.
- Academic Performance: Demonstrate strong academic excellence, typically evidenced by an excellent GPA and proven research potential.
- Testing: Submit official GRE results, with particularly high quantitative scores being strongly advantageous for selection.
- Language Proficiency: Provide sufficient evidence of English proficiency via official test results (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent).
- Program Admission: Successfully complete the online application for the two-year Research Master in Economics program.
- Scholarship Indication: Explicitly express interest in being considered for the Tinbergen Institute Scholarship within the application documentation.
How to Apply for Tinbergen Institute Research Master Scholarships 2026 (Step by Step)
The application process for the scholarship is integrated directly with the Research Master’s application.
- Apply for Program: Visit the official Tinbergen Institute website and access the online application portal for the Research Master in Economics through the provided link below.
- Scholarship Indication: Complete the application form, ensuring you clearly indicate your interest in being considered for the Tinbergen Institute Scholarship.
- Required Document Upload: Upload all necessary supporting materials, including academic transcripts, degree certificates, GRE scores, English test results, a Statement of Purpose, and valid recommendation letters.
- Submission and Notification: Submit the complete application package before the deadline. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for a final interview before receiving the official Notification of Award.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is eligible to apply for this Research Master’s scholarship?
Applications are open to both EEA nationals and Non-EEA (international) students from all countries who have a quantitative Bachelor’s degree and meet the high academic requirements.
2. Is this scholarship a full tuition waiver, or does it only cover living expenses?
The scholarship primarily provides a monthly stipend for living expenses (up to €1,500/month) and includes a partial institutional tuition fee waiver. Non-EEA students will still face the bulk of the institutional fee.
3. What is the minimum GPA required to maintain the Full Scholarship in the second year?
To retain the Tier 1 Full Scholarship (stipend of €1,000/month) for the second year, students must achieve a weighted GPA of 8.0 or higher in all Research Master core courses.
4. What fields of study does the Research Master’s program cover?
The program provides specialized training in Economics, Econometrics, Finance, and related quantitative fields like Data Science for Business and Policy Analysis.
5. Do I need to take the GRE to be considered for the scholarship?
Yes, submitting strong GRE results, particularly high quantitative scores, is a mandatory requirement and is highly advantageous for both admission and scholarship consideration.
6. What is the tuition fee difference for EEA versus Non-EEA students?
For the 2025-2026 academic year, EEA students pay the statutory fee of €2,695, while Non-EEA students pay a higher fee of €20,500, which includes the institutional component.
7. Does this Research Master’s program guarantee a PhD position?
While not guaranteed, the program is designed as a direct PhD track. Many students who successfully complete the Research Master and meet the academic bar transition into a fully funded PhD position at the partner universities.
8. Is the scholarship application separate from the program application?
No, the scholarship consideration is integrated. You must complete the Research Master’s program application and indicate your interest in the scholarship during that process.
9. What other financial benefits are included besides the monthly stipend?
Additional benefits include partial tuition fee waivers, compensation for travel between the Amsterdam and Rotterdam campuses, and the opportunity for paid Teaching/Research Assistant positions in the second year.
10. When is the final deadline to submit all application materials?
The application deadline for the Tinbergen Institute Research Master Scholarship and program for 2026 is March 1, 2026.
