Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships in Belgium

The Flemish Ministry of Education awards scholarships to outstanding students for master’s degree programs in Flanders and Brussels. The Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships 2026-2027 for International Students aims to promote Flanders and Brussels as top study destinations.

Applications will be accepted from all Flemish universities, schools of arts, and the Antwerp Maritime Academy. Applicants from all nationalities are welcome to apply for the Flanders Master Scholarships. Around 30 international students will benefit from the Master Mind Scholarships.

There are a number of scholarships reserved for students from certain countries: Japan (3), Mexico (3), Palestine (2) and the USA (5). These countries are priority countries for the Flemish government. If a scholarship is not taken up, it will be awarded to the candidate ranked highest by the Flemish selection committee. If a student loses his/her scholarship, the student will have to pay the full tuition fee if he/she wants to continue the program without the scholarship.

Program Details

• Host Institutions: Flemish universities, Schools of Arts, and the Antwerp Maritime Academy in Belgium (The full list with deadlines is listed below).
• Eligible Program: available programs at host universities.
• Number of Awards: Not specified.
• Duration: Candidate’s program duration.
• Target Group: Open for all nationalities (except for Russians).

Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships Benefits

This government scholarship awards a scholarship of €10,225 for the 2026–2027 academic year. For students admitted to a two-year Master’s programme, an additional €10,225 is awarded for the 2027–2028 academic year. The grant is paid in installments and covers accommodation costs, insurance, and a significant amount of their living expenses.

Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships Eligibility

To apply for the study in Flanders Scholarship, candidates must have the below profile:

1. The applicant applies to take up a master’s degree program at a higher education institution in Flanders (hereafter ‘Host institution’).
2. should have a high standard of academic performance and/or potential (the student has a grade point average of 3.5 out of 4.0). Please click here to see how to calculate your GPA. Please click here to see see how to calculate your American GPA;
3. Have a good knowledge of the English language:
   • an overall band score of minimum 7.0 on the IELTS test;
   • a minimum total score of 94 on a TOEFL test;
   • a C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference;
   • or a similar result in another official language test (recognized by the Host institution).
   • Online language tests of IELTS and TOEFL will also be accepted:
     • IELTS Indicator (https://www.ieltsindicator.com/)
     • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (https://www.ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home/)
4. Students who apply for a master’s program at a School of Arts have at least:
   • an overall band score of minimum 6.5 on the IELTS test;
   • a minimum total score of 90 on the TOEFL test;
   • a B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference;
   • or a similar result in another official English language test (recognized by the Host institution).
   • Online language tests of IELTS and TOEFL will also be accepted:
     • IELTS Indicator (https://www.ieltsindicator.com/)
     • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (https://www.ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home/)
5. The student has to be accepted by the host institution to be able to receive the scholarship. Even if the host institution’s decision to accept the student is taken after the selection by the Master Mind Scholarships program, this criterion applies.
6. All nationalities, except for Russian (see news item for more information). The previous degree obtained should be from a higher education institution located outside Flanders. International students who have been on credit mobility at a hosting Flemish higher education institution are still eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship.
7. Students who are already enrolled in a Flemish higher education institution cannot apply. The only exception is made for international students who, at the time of their application in spring 2026, are already enrolled in a specific preparatory program in order to start a master’s program in September 2026.
8. Students who enroll in the following programs for the academic year 2026-2027 are not eligible for the Master Mind Scholarship:
   • Preparatory programmes
   • Bridging programmes
   • Distance learning

The applicant can only be nominated by one Flemish higher education institution. If the applicant is preselected by more than one Flemish higher education institution, he/she has to choose one Flemish higher education institution to submit his/her application in the Mobility Online tool. Student mobility to partner institutions outside Flanders and Brussels during the master’s program is allowed. However, at least half of the study credits of the master’s program must be obtained at the Flemish host institution.

How to Apply for the study in Flanders

Interested applicants who would like to apply for this scholarship to study in Europe must follow the steps below:

STEP 1 Check if you are eligible to apply and if the Flemish institution of your choice participates in the Master Mind Scholarships.

STEP 2 Submit your application to the host institution.

STEP 3 The host institution pre-selects eligible applications.

STEP 4 The host institution starts the application procedure for the Master Mind Scholarship by creating your application file in the Mobility-Online application tool.

STEP 5 The email you receive will include detailed instructions for creating your account in the Mobility Online system. You must upload required documents, finalize and submit your full application through this platform before the specified deadline, which will be clearly indicated within Mobility Online.

STEP 6 The host institution reviews, approves, and submits the complete application through the Mobility Online system to the Flemish Higher Education Council by the deadline communicated to institutions. Any applications approved after this deadline will be rejected.

STEP 7 The Flemish Higher Education Council’s selection committee will grant the scholarship to the top-ranked candidates. All applicants will be informed of the committee’s final decision.

Required Documents

1. Passport photo
2. International passport or national ID;
3. A Curriculum Vitae (including your American GPA out of 4.0 and if applicable your publications, academic awards, previous scholarships, etc.). use the scholaro.com/gpa-calculator to calculate your GPA;
4. Transcript of records; if written in a language other than Dutch, French, German or English, a certified translation must be enclosed;
5. English language test results or letter of the exemption provided by the host university;
6. Letter of motivation written in English;
7. Two signed letters of recommendation from professors of your (previous) home university, university of applied sciences (and arts), or recent employer written in English;
8. Copy of acquired diploma(s); if written in a language other than Dutch, French, German, or English, a certified translation must be enclosed.

Deadline for application at Host institution:

Universities:

1. KU Leuven / University of Leuven: January 15, 2026;
2. University of Antwerp: 1st February 2026;
3. Ghent University: April 1, 2026;
4. Hasselt University: 15 March 2026;
5. Vrije Universiteit Brussel: April 1, 2026.

University colleges, also known as Universities of Applied Sciences (and Arts):

1. Antwerp Maritime Academy: Please contact the international office for more information on the deadline;
2. AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts: March 1, 2026;
3. Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts: March 31, 2026;
4. HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts: March 20, 2026;
5. KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts: February 27, 2026;
6. LUCA School of Arts
   • Deadline Campus Leuven: February 27, 2026;
   • Deadline Campus Brussels: March 12, 2026;
   • Deadline Campus Ghent: March 12, 2026;
7. PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts: please contact the international office.

The application deadline varies per institution. The furthest deadline is April 1st, 2026. For more information about the Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships, please visit the official page.