1. Introduction
Students planning to pursue a master’s degree in the Netherlands can explore Wageningen Scholarships 2027, which include the Anne van den Ban Fund and the WUR Excellence Programme.
Apart from the Fully-funded Wageningen Africa Scholarship 2027, there are two more two more Wageningen Scholarships 2027 opportunities worth exploring.
Although both scholarships support international master’s students at Wageningen, they have different eligibility requirements and funding arrangements. The Anne van den Ban Fund provides full or partial financial support to eligible students from developing countries, while the WUR Excellence Programme offers tuition-fee waivers to selected international applicants from specified countries.
This guide compares both opportunities, explains their funding benefits and eligibility requirements, and provides information about previous recipients, their academic journeys and professional contributions.
2. Wageningen Scholarships 2027: Overview of the Two Opportunities
The following table provides a quick comparison of the two scholarship opportunities.
| Scholarship detail | Anne van den Ban Fund | WUR Excellence Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Funding institution | University Fund Wageningen | Wageningen University & Research |
| Host country | Netherlands | Netherlands |
| Study level | Master’s degree | Master’s degree |
| Programme start | September 2027 | September 2027 |
| Target applicants | Eligible low- and lower-middle-income countries | Selected international countries |
| Funding type | Full or partial scholarship | Tuition-fee waiver |
| Funding duration | Up to 24 months | Up to 24 months |
| Application route | Invitation-based | Invitation-based |
| Application deadline | Before 1 December 2026 | Before 1 December 2026 |
| Separate scholarship application | No | No |
3. About Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University & Research is a Dutch university and research institution internationally recognised for its work in agriculture, food science, environmental studies, life sciences and sustainable development.
Its master’s programmes address global challenges such as food security, climate change, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and responsible natural resource management.
Students interested in these fields can develop advanced academic knowledge and research skills while studying in an international academic environment.
4. What do the two scholarships cover?
Although both scholarships support master’s students at Wageningen, their financial benefits are considerably different.
| Scholarship benefit | Anne van den Ban Fund | WUR Excellence Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Covered, depending on the award | Full tuition-fee waiver |
| Living allowance | May be provided | Not covered |
| Return travel | May be covered | Not covered |
| Visa costs | May be covered | Not covered |
| Health insurance | May be covered | Not covered |
| Other study expenses | Depends on the award | Student’s responsibility |
| Funding arrangement | Full or partial financial support | Tuition-fee exemption only |
Important funding differences
Anne van den Ban Fund: Successful candidates may receive full or partial financial assistance. The exact award depends on individual circumstances and available funding.
WUR Excellence Programme: The scholarship covers tuition fees for up to 24 months. Students must arrange their own funding for living expenses, insurance, residence permit costs and other expenses.
According to WUR’s published information, the revised first-year invoice for students accepting the Excellence Programme scholarship is approximately €16,500. Applicants should confirm the applicable amount with the university.
5. Eligibility requirements
Both scholarships require applicants to obtain admission to a master’s programme at Wageningen University & Research. However, their nationality and academic requirements differ.
A. Anne van den Ban Fund
The Anne van den Ban Fund supports talented students from eligible low- and lower-middle-income countries.
Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
1. Be a citizen of an eligible country
The fund considers applicants from countries classified by the World Bank as low- and lower-middle-income economies.
Eligible countries include Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and several other developing countries.
2. Obtain admission to a master’s programme
You must first be accepted into an eligible master’s programme at Wageningen University & Research.
3. Apply for the September 2027 intake
The opportunity is intended for prospective master’s students beginning their studies in September 2027.
4. Submit a complete master’s application
Your complete application, including the required supporting documents, must be submitted before 1 December 2026.
Important: There is no separate individual application to the fund. Candidates are considered through Wageningen University’s selection process.
B. WUR Excellence Programme
The WUR Excellence Programme is intended for outstanding international master’s applicants holding nationality from specified countries.
Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
1. Hold nationality from an eligible country
For the 2027–2028 academic year, the published eligible countries are:
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Applicants who also hold nationality from an EU or EFTA country are not eligible.
Note for African applicants: Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries are not included in the currently published eligible-country list.
2. Have excellent academic qualifications
You must have a GPA of at least 80% or an equivalent First Class Honours bachelor’s degree.
3. Obtain unconditional admission
You must receive unconditional admission to an eligible on-campus master’s programme at Wageningen University & Research.
4. Apply for the September 2027 intake
The scholarship is intended for eligible international students beginning their studies in September 2027.
5. Submit a complete application before the deadline
Your complete master’s application, including English-language test results and your bachelor’s degree diploma, must be submitted before 1 December 2026.
6. Application deadlines and selection process
Both scholarships require applicants to submit their master’s applications before 1 December 2026. However, their selection processes and expected notification dates differ.
| Important date | Anne van den Ban Fund | WUR Excellence Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s application deadline | Before 1 December 2026 | Before 1 December 2026 |
| Selection process | Annual fund selection | Final-stage selection and lottery |
| Expected selection notification | May 2027 | March–April 2027 |
| Scholarship offer | Around May 2027 | 7 April 2027 |
| Programme commencement | September 2027 | September 2027 |
Anne van den Ban Fund selection
The fund board works with Wageningen University to select recipients based on recommendations from study coordinators and alumni working in developing countries.
Other sources of financial support, including family contributions and other scholarships, may be considered when determining the amount awarded.
If you have not received an offer by 1 June 2027, you have not been selected for that year’s award.
WUR Excellence Programme selection
The WUR Scholarship Selection Committee coordinates the selection process.
Eligible applicants do not submit a separate scholarship application. Those selected for the final stage receive an invitation by email around March–April 2027.
A lottery is conducted among final-stage candidates to determine the scholarship recipients. Successful candidates are expected to receive their offers on 7 April 2027.
7. Experiences, research and contributions of previous scholarship recipients
Learning from previous recipients can help prospective applicants understand the academic opportunities available at Wageningen and how postgraduate education can translate into research, professional development and contributions to society.
A. Anne van den Ban Fund recipients
1. Nourou-Dine – Animal Sciences, Benin
Nourou-Dine from Benin explains how the Anne van den Ban scholarship made it possible for him to study Animal Sciences at Wageningen. His academic interests focus on animal nutrition and sustainable livestock production.
His ambition is to establish an animal production and processing enterprise that will also train local farmers in more sustainable farming practices.
Read Nourou-Dine’s scholarship experience
2. Omnia – Governance of Sustainability Transformations, Sudan
Read Omnia’s scholarship experience
Omnia’s decision to study sustainability governance was influenced by conflicts and environmental challenges in Sudan. Her interests include climate change, natural resource management and conflict.
Beyond her academic work, she has participated in online advocacy, sharing information about the situation in Sudan. She hopes to develop sustainability frameworks for countries experiencing instability.
3. Belle – Development and Rural Innovation, Philippines
Belle previously volunteered with an international youth organisation and worked with an international research organisation focused on forest and landscape management.
Through the Anne van den Ban Fund, she pursued a master’s degree in Development and Rural Innovation. Her research interests include the political ecology of water governance and how communities manage natural resources.
Her ambition is to contribute to international research and development projects that help communities strengthen their capacity to manage their resources.
Read Belle’s scholarship story
B. WUR Excellence Programme recipients
1. Dohun Kim – Forest and Nature Conservation, South Korea
Dohun Kim received support through Wageningen University’s Excellence Programme in 2019. He studied Forest and Nature Conservation, specialising in Policy and Society.
His account describes his decision to study at Wageningen, his scholarship experience and his early academic life in the Netherlands.
Read Dohun Kim’s Excellence Programme experience
Research and published work
Dohun subsequently pursued doctoral research in Applied Economics at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and became a postdoctoral researcher in Forest Economics.
One of his published contributions is:
Co-authored with V.J. Ingram, this research examines how international interventions have influenced policy processes and the people and resources involved in Cameroon’s woodfuel sector.
The publication is particularly relevant to students interested in forestry, environmental governance, sustainable energy and natural resource management.
Explore his academic profile: Dohun Kim – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Note: Dohun’s experience relates to an earlier version of the Excellence Programme. It illustrates the academic journey of a previous recipient, not necessarily the exact selection arrangements for 2027–2028.
8. Required documents
The documents required depend on your chosen master’s programme and academic background. However, applicants should prepare the following:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate: Proof of completed undergraduate education.
- Academic transcripts: Official records of your academic performance.
- English-language test results: Official results meeting Wageningen’s requirements.
- Additional supporting documents: Any documents required by your selected master’s programme.
- Identification documents: Passport or other identification information where requested.
For both scholarships, pay particular attention to the bachelor’s diploma and English-language requirements. WUR requires the necessary documents to be available and uploaded before 1 December 2026.
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9. How to apply
Both scholarships use an invitation-based selection process. You must first apply for an eligible master’s programme at Wageningen University & Research.
Applying for the Anne van den Ban Fund
Step 1: Choose a suitable master’s programme
Explore Wageningen’s master’s programmes and select one that matches your academic background and career ambitions.
Step 2: Check your eligibility
Confirm that your nationality is included among the eligible countries and review the admission requirements.
Step 3: Prepare your documents
Gather your transcripts, bachelor’s degree certificate, English-language test results and other required documents.
Step 4: Submit your master’s application
Apply through Wageningen University’s official admissions system before 1 December 2026.
Step 5: Wait for scholarship selection
There is no separate application to the Anne van den Ban Fund. The university and fund board select candidates through their annual process.
Step 6: Monitor your email
Selected candidates are expected to receive scholarship offers around May 2027.
Applying for the WUR Excellence Programme
Step 1: Check the eligible-country list
Confirm that you hold nationality from one of the countries included in the 2027–2028 Excellence Programme.
Step 2: Choose an eligible master’s programme
Select an on-campus master’s programme beginning in September 2027.
Step 3: Check your academic qualifications
Ensure that you meet the required academic standard of at least 80% GPA or equivalent First Class Honours.
Step 4: Prepare your documents
Gather your academic transcripts, bachelor’s diploma, English-language test results and other required documents.
Step 5: Submit your complete master’s application
Apply before 1 December 2026.
Step 6: Wait for the selection process
The university will contact selected candidates for the final stage around March–April 2027.
Step 7: Await the final decision
The university conducts a lottery among final-stage candidates, with scholarship offers planned for 7 April 2027.
10. Practical guidance for applicants
If you are considering either of these Wageningen scholarship opportunities, the following recommendations can help you prepare.
Start your application early
The deadline for both programmes is 1 December 2026. Allow sufficient time to obtain official academic documents and English-language test results.
Understand the difference in funding
The Anne van den Ban Fund may provide full or partial financial support, while the Excellence Programme covers tuition fees only.
Do not assume that receiving a tuition-fee waiver means all your study and living expenses will be covered.
Choose your master’s programme carefully
Your chosen programme should match your academic qualifications and professional ambitions. Review the admission requirements before applying.
Do not submit incomplete applications
WUR requires a complete master’s application, including the relevant supporting documents, before the deadline.
Beware of scholarship scams
Use official university links when applying or checking your application status. Be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed selection in exchange for payment.
Explore other funding opportunities
If you are not eligible for either scholarship, explore other Wageningen funding opportunities and external scholarships available to international students.
11. Official sources and application links
Use the following official resources to confirm the latest scholarship information and prepare your application.
- WUR Master’s Scholarships: Official scholarship overview
- Wageningen Master’s Programmes: Explore available courses
Last verified: 5 November 2026.
Scholarship conditions, eligible countries and funding arrangements may change. Always consult the official Wageningen University & Research website before submitting your application.
Conclusion
The Anne van den Ban Fund and WUR Excellence Programme provide two different opportunities for international students interested in pursuing postgraduate education at Wageningen University & Research.
The Anne van den Ban Fund is particularly relevant to applicants from eligible developing countries, including Cameroon, while the WUR Excellence Programme is restricted to applicants from its specified nationality list.
Both opportunities require applicants to submit a complete master’s application before 1 December 2026 for the September 2027 intake.