Belgium Master Mind Scholarship 2026-2027

The Flemish Ministry of Education and Training offers scholarships to outstanding students from all over the world to study for a master's degree in Flanders or Brussels. The Master Mind Scholarship includes a grant of €10,000 and a waiver of tuition fees per academic year. 

The Master Mind Scholarships are highly competitive. Applicants will be competing against other international students who have achieved excellent academic records. Submitting a strong application will increase your chances of being selected.

The Flemish government will award 30 Master Mind Scholarships to outstanding students enrolled in a master's programme in Flanders. KU Leuven can nominate 20 candidates.

A number of scholarships are reserved for students from the following countries: Japan (3), Mexico (3), Palestine (2) and the USA (5). These countries are considered priority countries by the Flemish government.

Click here to find the full list of eligible master's programs.

Eligibility:

• All nationalities are eligible, except Russian citizens

• The applicant should have a high standard of academic performance and/or potential as proven by a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 out of 4.0. The GPA will be calculated on the last obtained bachelor's or master's degree. The tool used for the calculation of the GPA is Scholaro. Click on the link below to calculate your GPA (see manual 1 How to calculate your American GPA).

• Previous degree(s) should have been obtained at a higher education institution outside Flanders. International students who have completed a credit mobility programme at a host Flemish higher education institution are still eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship.

Note: Students are not allowed to combine the Master Mind Scholarship with any other scholarship from the Flemish government or with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

• Regardless of the minimum score required by the programme, applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate a good knowledge and command of English. The accepted English language tests are:

1. Online TOEFL minimum overall score of 94

2. IELTS: minimum overall score of 7

3. Cambridge CPE: minimum level C2 

Note: 

• The language test must be taken before the 15 January application deadline. Language test results can be added after the deadline.
• Students who have previously completed an English-taught programme in Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America do not need to submit a certificate of English language proficiency.

How to Apply?

• Step 1: Submit a complete application file for an eligible master’s programme before 15 January 2026, 23.59 CET, including the KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind Candidacy Form as an annexe. This annexe should be uploaded in the application tool under document type "Annexe ". Download the Candidacy Form here.

• Step 2: Register your scholarship candidacy via the online registration tool before 15 January 2026, 23.59 CET. 

• After nomination: If you have been nominated as a candidate, you will be informed by 10 March 2026. You will then be asked to submit a one-minute motivational video for the next selection phase by 18 March 2026.

Application Process

• Following the application deadline on 15 January, KU Leuven's master's programmes will nominate eligible students who have expressed interest in the scholarship.

• All nominated students will be informed about their nomination before 10 March 2026.

• All nominated students will be asked to submit a one-minute motivational video for the KU Leuven preselection.

• If your application fulfills all the criteria and has been accepted for preselection, the host institution will create your application file for the scholarship using the Mobility Online application tool. You must complete your application file there before the deadline. The deadline will be clearly stated in Mobility Online. 

Documents to be uploaded:

• Profile picture

• Copy of your international passport or national ID.

• Curriculum Vitae. This should include your American GPA out of 4.0 and your publications, academic awards, previous scholarships, etc if applicable. You can calcuclate your GPA here: https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/ (see annex: How to calculate your American GPA)

• Transcript of records. If this document is written in a language other than Dutch, French, German, or English, a certified translation must be enclosed.

• English language test results or letter of exemption provided by the host university.

• Letter of motivation written in English.

• Two signed letters of recommendation from professors of your (previous) home university, university of applied sciences (and arts) or recent employer. These letters must be written in English.

• Copy of acquired diploma(s). If this is written in a language other than Dutch, French, German, or English, a certified translation must be enclosed.

The Flemish government's Selection Committee will make the final selection. The results will be announced at the end of May or the beginning of June. 

Note: The following elements are taken into account when applications for the master’s programmes are assessed: academic performance, academic awards, motivation, relevant experience, demonstrated leadership abilities, sense of commitment, and top applicant profile.

You will find deadlines applicable to your chosen program via this link.