Applications are invited to apply for the Leiden University Mandela Scholarship 2026 in Netherlands. All International students can apply for the Scholarship. Students from four South African partner universities who wish to participate in an exchange program and spend one or two semesters at Leiden University are eligible to apply for this scholarship. It’s about following in Nelson Mandela’s footsteps, making a positive impact on South Africa’s future, and experiencing a worldwide academic environment in the Netherlands.
If you have ever envisioned yourself studying in the Netherlands, taking in the world-class research and thriving international networks while strolling down alleys that date back centuries, Applications for the February intake of Leiden University’s Mandela Scholarship Fund 2026 are now being accepted, giving South African students the opportunity to make that ambition a reality. This scholarship is an investment in leadership, international collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding rather than solely for financial gain.
Leiden University (LEI) is a public research university in Leiden, the Netherlands. Leiden University is one of the world’s top institutions, often ranking in the top 100 according to major rating systems such as the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. President Nelson Mandela, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Leiden University in 1999, is the recipient of this fund. He had a clear vision: more student exchange would benefit the Netherlands and South Africa. The Mandela Scholarship Fund continues that tradition today by enabling upcoming leaders to study overseas and fortify international relations.
