If you are looking for opportunities for an exchange programme within Erasmus+, please check the Erasmus+ Exchange programme page.

The Erasmus+ Traineeship grant for internships and research projects

Both Bachelor's and Master's students can do a work placement or research abroad during their studies. Doing a work-related (scientific) internship abroad can be a fantastic springboard for an international job, as it allows you to gain international work experience. It also allows you to expand your cv. 

To what extent you can do an internship or research project as part of your studies depends on your study programme. If you are going to do an internship or research project at an institution within Europe, you may be eligible for a contribution towards your living and travel costs: the Erasmus+ Traineeship grant.

The amounts available

The general scholarship amount is set annually by the European Commission and the national agency in the Netherlands, NufficExternal link, and is linked to the country of destination.

The amounts for 2025-2026 are found in the following table:

* Grant amounts are determined before the academic year starts. The awarded Erasmus+ budget allocation for 2025–2026 is not sufficient to provide all Erasmus+ students with a full grant for the entire duration of their traineeship abroad. As a result, selected students will receive a grant of 60% of their total traineeship period. The remaining 40% will count as ‘zero-grant days’: students will retain their Erasmus+ status but will not receive funding for those days. The (green) travel support remains unchanged.

If you receive the Erasmus+ Traineeship grant, it will be paid in two instalments: 70% before departure and 30% upon return and submission of the final documents.

Please note that the chances of getting a scholarship decrease during the year as we assume the 'first come, first serve' principle. It is therefore wise to submit your application as early as possible.

Additional funding: inclusion top-up  and green travel support

If you receive an Erasmus+ Traineeship grant, you may also be eligible for additional funding. More information is available on the Erasmus+ Traineeship Canvas page after you are selected for the Erasmus+ scholarship. Below you can already see what types of additional funding there are:

• The inclusion top-up is available for students who receive a supplementary grant ('aanvullende beurs' in Dutch) from DUO or for students with fewer opportunities due to disability, chronic health condition or other medical issue(s).
• All students receive travel support from getting to and returning from their exchange destination. If you choose a sustainable means of transportation, you can request additional green travel support.

Eligibility criteria

You can apply for an Erasmus+ Traineeship grant for an internship/research during your UvA studies if you meet the criteria below: 

• You will do your traineeship in one of the European member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway or Turkey.
• Your activities abroad must be part of your studies, and you must receive credits for them. Please note: If your traineeship ends after your studies, this point does not apply.
• You apply for the scholarship while living in the Netherlands.
• You apply at least 6 weeks before the start of your internship/research.
• You apply for the scholarship while you have not yet graduated and are enrolled at the UvA.
• You may graduate during your internship/research. The end date of the internship/ research should be within a year after your graduation date.
• You will stay abroad for 2 to 12 months for your internship/research project.
• It concerns full-time internship/research (usually 36-40 hours per week).
• A positive travel advice must apply to the country in question (source: MinBuZa).
• The institution where you will do your traineeship or the institute where you will do your research is prepared to fill in and sign an Erasmus+ Learning Agreement.

Application deadline

• The deadline is 6 weeks before the start of your research project/research internship. You can only submit the application if you have an active enrolment at the UvA.
• As previously mentioned, the chances of getting a scholarship decrease during the year as we assume the 'first come, first serve' principle. It is therefore wise to submit your application as early as possible.

To do during and after your period abroad

Once your application has been processed, you will be added to the Canvas Erasmus+ traineeship programme page. In Canvas you will find more information about the steps you will need to take before, during and after your period abroad as well as the different deadlines.

How the Erasmus+ programme came about 

The Erasmus+ programme is an initiative of the European Union to improve exchanges between universities in the European Union and promote cooperation in higher education. The European Commission funds these exchanges. All UvA programmes participate in the Erasmus+ programme.

More information on where Erasmus stands on inclusion, citizenship, the environment, partnerships, mentoring and support can be found in the Erasmus Charter and the Erasmus Policy Statement.

• Erasmus Charter (pdf) 
• Erasmus Policy Statement (pdf)