Erasmus Trustfonds Scholarship
The Erasmus Trustfonds is the philanthropic foundation supporting Erasmus University Rotterdam, funded by alumni donations and corporate sponsors. It administers a portfolio of named scholarships across the university's faculties — most awards range from €5,000 to €15,000 as tuition contributions, though some flagship awards cover full tuition. Each faculty (Erasmus School of Economics, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus School of Law, ESHCC, ESHPM, ESSB, ESPhil) manages its own selection. EUR is a strong choice for Sri Lankans targeting business, economics, finance, and management — Rotterdam is Europe's largest port city and a global trade hub, and the school has dense recruiting connections with Unilever, Shell, ING, and the Big Four.
Open for September 2027 entry — most faculty deadlines are 1 April 2027; some run earlier (RSM Round 1 typically 1 February)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Typical Value
€5,000-€15,000 (faculty-dependent)
Duration
1-Year Master's (some 2-year)
Annual Awards
100+ Across All Faculties
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
Erasmus University Rotterdam — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
Variable Awards (Faculty-Dependent) — Typically €5,000-€15,000 Tuition Contribution. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Admission to an EUR Master's
You must hold (or be applying for) admission to a Master's programme at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Each faculty has its own scholarship calls — check the specific scholarship page for your chosen programme.
Non-EU/EEA International Student
Most Trustfonds awards are reserved for non-EU/EEA fee-paying international students who would pay the full institutional tuition rate. Sri Lankan passport holders qualify automatically.
Strong Academic Record
Selection is competitive — typically a top-10% Bachelor's GPA. Sri Lankan applicants with a first-class honours from Moratuwa, Colombo, Peradeniya, Kelaniya, or Jayewardenepura present strongly. RSM scholarships also weight GMAT scores (650+ competitive).
Some Awards Need-Based
Several Trustfonds awards have a financial-need component (e.g. the Holland Scholarship combo for EUR; the Anne van den Ban Fund for development-focused candidates). You may need to submit a parental income statement for these specific awards.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to your EUR Master's
Submit your master's application via Studielink and the university's online portal by the relevant faculty deadline (1 February for RSM; 1 April for most others).
Submit the Trustfonds form
After admission (or in parallel for some faculties), complete the faculty-specific Trustfonds scholarship application. Upload: motivation letter, CV, transcripts, and any need documentation requested. Each named scholarship has its own form.
Faculty review committee
Faculty scholarship committees rank applicants based on academic record, motivation, fit with the named scholarship's intent, and (where applicable) financial need. Decisions typically come within 4-8 weeks of the deadline.
Award + tuition discount
Awards are issued as tuition discounts applied directly to your student account. Some Trustfonds awards include networking with the named donor (e.g. RSM scholarships often come with alumni mentoring).
Why Erasmus Rotterdam?
EUR is consistently the top-ranked Dutch university for business and economics (QS subject top 30), and Rotterdam is Europe's largest port + a fintech and shipping hub. The Erasmus School of Economics and Rotterdam School of Management have particularly strong placement into Dutch and broader EU employers.
#176
QS World Ranking 2026
Top 30 EU
Business + Economics
12 mo
Post-Study Orientation Year
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat Netherlands actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for Netherlands, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES)
University of Amsterdam
University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
University of Amsterdam (UvA)
Amandus H. Lundqvist Scholarship Programme (ALSP)
Eindhoven University of Technology