The Bright Minds Fund
Need- and merit-based BMF scholarships
The Bright Minds Fund, established in 2022, aims to assist prospective PPLE College students who possess the potential and drive but face financial barriers to enrollment. Through the BMF, Dutch PPLE students can benefit from need- and merit-based scholarships. This entails that instead of the standard PPLE tuition fees (€5,460 for the academic year 2025/2026), scholarship recipients will only be liable for the statutory tuition fees (€2,601 for the academic year 2025/2026).
BMF scholarships are awarded based on two main criteria: significant financial need, demonstrated by the requirement for assistance with tuition fees and a personal statement, and merit, as indicated by meeting the PPLE entry requirements.
You are eligible to apply for a BMF scholarship if you:
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are Dutch, or have completed or will complete the Dutch VWO diploma the year of your application
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are able to prove your financial need for a scholarship
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have applied to PPLE College (find more information about applying to PPLE)
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were able to prove your academic merit in your PPLE College application
Students with a migration background, including refugees, and first generation students* are especially encouraged to apply.
If the above requirements do not suit your situation, you might want to have a look at some alternative funding options.
* First-generation refers to students who are the first to attend university in their family.
What does the BMF scholarship cover?
Under the Bright Minds Fund scholarship, recipients benefit from a fee waiver. In contrast to the standard PPLE tuition fees (€5,460 for the academic year 2025/2026), scholarship awardees are eligible for reduced fees set at the statutory tuition fees (€2,601 for the academic year 2025/2026).
Find out more about the current tuition fees.
After your 1st year of scholarship support, the BMF committee reevaluates eligibility for the following year. Did you receive a binding recommendation to continue the PPLE programme (a BSA)? And does your financial situation remain unchanged? Then your scholarship continues into your second year. You may expect the same procedure at the end of your 2nd year.
Bright Minds Fund scholarships are not, in principle, awarded for more than 3 years or 6 semesters in total. In 2025/2026, the Bright Minds Fund will have up to 5 scholarships availiable for deserving students.
Questions about the Bright Minds Fund?
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the application procedure. We are happy to help you out. Get in touch at brightmindsfund-pple@uva.nl.
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Timeline for applying
When applying for a scholarship, it is useful to keep a close eye on the deadlines you are dealing with. That way you can make sure you hand everything in on time. Below, you find the upcoming application deadlines for a BMF scholarship.
The decision who is awarded a BMF scholarship remains conditional until it is confirmed that the applicant has received an offer of admission to PPLE College and has provied proof of their finalcial need through the official statement from DUO. The decision becomes final once both conditions are fulfilled and verified.
Please note, you must have already applied for admission to PPLE when applying for a Bright Minds Fund scholarship for September 2025. More on applying to PPLE.
Application Dates for Bright Minds Fund scholarships spring 2025
PPLE starting BMF Application Deadline Conditional Decision Deadline Official Financial Proof Final Descision 1 September 2025 15 April 2025 Early May 2025 1 July 2025 Early July 2025 -
Application checklist
Are you all set? Before submitting your Bright Minds Fund application form, please check whether you have all the necessary information and digital documents ready:
You will need:
1. Your personal statement about your financial circumstances in digital format and ready to upload.
2. A document showing you are eligible for an supplementary grant (aanvullende beurs) from DUO in digital format and ready to upload.
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I am a non-Dutch student, can I still apply for a BMF scholarship?
Yes, however only if you have completed your Dutch VWO diploma or will complete it the year you apply for the BMF scholarship. In this case you are eligible to apply, too. In the future, we aim to include international applicants, however, currently scholarships remain reserved for Dutch applicants.
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Does a BMF scholarship cover my living expenses?
No. The scholarship involves a fee waiver, which means that instead of the usual PPLE tuition rate, recipients pay the statutory tuition fees.
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I am not sure I want to study PPLE. Can I still apply for a BMF scholarship?
You can only apply for a BMF scholarship if you have applied for admission to PPLE prior. The scholarship is there to support PPLE students. Those selected to become scholarship recipients will only receive their scholarship if and when they start their PPLE studies. Scholarship-receiving students who decide to drop their PPLE studies lose scholarship support.
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What expenses qualify for coverage by a BMF scholarship?
The purpose of the BMF scholarship is to assist recipients in covering their yearly tuition fee at PPLE College. Scholarship holders' fees are reduced to align with the statutory tuition fees (€2,601 for the academic year 2025/2026) rather than the usual PPLE tuition fees (€5,460 for the academic year 2025/2026).
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What if I have a question related to my application?
Do not hesitate to contact us at brightmindsfund-pple@uva.nl. Our team typically responds within one to two business day to address your questions swiftly.