If you’re exploring advanced study opportunities in economics, econometrics or business data science, the Tinbergen Institute (TI) in the Netherlands offers a compelling pathway. With its merit-based scholarships, small cohort size and direct linkage to PhD prospects, it’s ideal for someone serious about research and academic growth.
Program Snapshot:
Program: Research Master (Economics or Business Data Science)
Coverage: Fully funded (and partial) scholarships + tuition waivers
Nationality: International (non-EEA & EEA students)
Degree Level: Master’s (Research Master)
Duration: 2 years
Host Universities: Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (via TI)
Deadline: December 1 2025 (non-EEA & scholarship applicants), February 1 2026 (non-EEA & scholarship), May 1 2026 (EEA)
Below I break down the program’s purpose, eligibility, benefits, fields of study, deadlines and application process — giving you a clear picture of what to expect.
Purpose of the Programme
At its heart, TI’s Research Master programmes are designed for students who not only want to earn a master’s degree, but who are aiming directly at a PhD or an academic/research-oriented career. The programme emphasises rigorous training in economics, econometrics and finance (or business data science) over a two-year trajectory.
By participating, you’d be embedded in an environment that fosters research thinking, critical analysis and advanced methodological competence — preparing you for the next step, which often is a PhD position. Indeed, many students transition into full-time PhD roles with employment contracts at one of TI’s affiliated faculties.
So if you’re seeking not just a master’s but a launch-pad into research and academia, this is very much aligned with that goal.
Eligibility Criteria
Here’s a breakdown of the key eligibility criteria (and worth noting that you should always check TI’s official site for any updates before applying):
Academic Requirements:
- A strong bachelor’s degree, typically in economics, econometrics, finance, or a quantitatively oriented discipline. (TI emphasises that it’s a selective programme — small cohorts of ~25-35 students per year)
- For second-year scholarship eligibility: you must follow the full first-year curriculum and achieve certain grade thresholds (see later under “Benefits”).
Nationality / Residency:
- Both EEA (European Economic Area) and non-EEA international students are eligible.
- Note: Different deadlines apply depending on whether you are non-EEA or EEA.
Scholarship Specifics:
- If you wish to apply for TI’s own merit-based scholarships, you must indicate this at application time.
- External funding: Prospective students are strongly encouraged to also apply for external scholarships in case TI’s internal resources are limited.
Other Practicalities:
- Application via Studielink (Dutch national registration system), then the EUR (host university) admission portal.
- Ensure referees submit letters on time; incomplete applications will not be processed.
- For second year (year 2) funding: your continuation is conditional on your academic performance in year 1.
In short: you’ll need a strong quantitative background, international eligibility, and you’ll need to be ready to commit to a research-oriented journey.
Check out: Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (GUPRS) 2025 – Fully Funded, Australia
Fields of Study
The scholarships at TI cover the following research master programmes:
- Research Master in Economics, Econometrics & Finance — focused on core microeconomics, macroeconomics, finance and econometrics in the first year; specialisation via field courses and thesis research in the second year.
- Research Master in Business Data Science — for students interested in data-science methods applied to business, operations, finance etc. TI offers scholarships for this track as well.
Because both tracks are geared towards a subsequent PhD, students join a research-intensive community, work alongside fellows and benefit from small-group settings. And since the participating universities are top-ranked in economics and business, you’ll be in a strong academic ecosystem.
Benefits & Financial Support
Here’s where things get interesting — the programme offers very competitive funding packages for high-performing students.
Tuition Fee Waivers
- For selected students, TI may grant a waiver of the additional tuition fee (i.e., for non-EEA or those with certain prior degrees) beyond the statutory fee.
- Note: All students must pay the statutory fee (for 2025-26 this is €2,601) while the additional fee may be waived for selected candidates.
Scholarships (Stipends)
Depending on your cohort (first year vs second year) and which programme (Economics vs Business Data Science), the stipend values differ. Examples:
- For the first year (2025 cohort) in TI/BDS:
- Full scholarship: €1,500 per month
- Partial scholarship: €750 per month
- For the second year: conditional on performance (e.g., GPA), you may receive:
- Full scholarship: €1,000 per month
- Partial scholarship: €750 per month
Additional Support
- Contribution to health care insurance (for some earlier cohorts).
- Travel compensation for commuting between the Amsterdam and Rotterdam campuses (for eligible students).
- PhD employment prospects: students performing well often transition into full-time PhD researcher positions with salary (approx. €3,059–€3,546/month for initial years) at one of TI’s faculties.
Living Costs
Estimated monthly living expenses (including rent) in Amsterdam/Rotterdam are around €975 to €1,500 (as per the official information). So the stipend is meant to cover the typical cost of living.
All in all, for a student seeking to focus fully on research for two years, the financial package is genuinely supportive.
Deadlines & Important Dates
Keeping track of deadlines is critical. Here are the key ones for the next intake (2026-2028 cohort):
- December 1, 2025: Deadline for non-EEA students and/or anyone wishing to apply for TI or university scholarships.
- February 1, 2026: Deadline for non-EEA students at UvA/EUR/VU; also strongly recommended for EEA students wanting TI scholarships.
- May 1, 2026: Deadline for EEA students only.
Tip: If you need financial support, aim for the earliest deadline (December). Many applicants delay and miss out on the scholarship component.
Also: decisions are typically made within 8 weeks of the application deadline. Incomplete files are not considered.
Application Process
The application process is multi-step but manageable if you plan ahead. Here’s how it works:
- Prepare Your Documents:
- Bachelor’s diploma and transcript(s)
- English proficiency test (if required)
- Recommendation letters (usually 2)
- Statement of purpose or research statement
- CV and any research experience
- Apply via Studielink: As the first step, you should register through the Dutch national registration system (Studielink).
- Complete Application via Host University Portal (EUR):
After Studielink, you move to the Erasmus University Rotterdam admission portal (TI’s host university) where you submit the detailed application. - Indicate Scholarship Interest:
On the application form, you should indicate whether you wish to be considered for a TI scholarship. If you’re relying on the scholarship for funding your study, make sure you select this. - Submit Reference Letters:
Make sure referees receive and complete the letter invitation on time (check spam folders). Incomplete applications with missing letters will not be reviewed. - Wait for Decision:
The admission board will evaluate complete applications; expect a decision roughly eight weeks after the relevant deadline. - If Admitted With Funding:
If you receive an offer that includes scholarship/funding, you will likely need to sign a statement of agreement to the scholarship regulations.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a Research Master at TI is about committing to a research-front career, not just a master’s degree. It’s competitive, selective and requires a quantitative mindset, but the payoff — tuition funding, monthly stipend, PhD pathway — is substantial. If you envision yourself diving into economics or business data science research, this opportunity is worth taking seriously.
And yes: you will need to hustle. Meet deadlines, polish your application, ask your referees early, make sure you meet eligibility. But if you do — you could be among a small group of international students stepping into a highly regarded research community in Amsterdam/Rotterdam.
So, if this aligns with your aims: take the first step. Prepare your documents, draft your research story, set your timeline. The world of research awaits.
Best of luck — I hope you go for it and make the most of this outstanding opportunity at the Tinbergen Institute.
Official programme link: https://tinbergen.nl/tuition-fees-scholarships-and-financial-support