What is the Wilfried Martens Scholarship?
The Wilfried Martens Scholarship (WMS) is a prestigious award funded by the European Parliament and the European Commission. It recognises excellent students from nonEU countries who wish to pursue a masters degree at a recognised European university. The programme is named after Wilfried Martens, former President of the European Peoples Party, who strongly supported European integration and educational mobility.
Each year up to 30 scholarships are granted. Recipients become part of a network of young leaders committed to strengthening ties between Europe and their home regions, while gaining academic, professional and intercultural experience.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for a WMS, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
- Hold a bachelors degree (or equivalent) awarded no more than 12 months before the start of the masters programme.
- Be a citizen of a nonEU/EEA country that is a signatory of the European Unions International Cooperation Agreement.
- Demonstrate a solid academic record (minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent).
- Show proficiency in the language of instruction (English, French, German, Dutch or the language of the chosen programme).
- Commit to returning to the home country after completing the study, contributing to its development.
- Be under 35 years of age at the time of application.
Applicants with professional experience, especially in public policy, international relations, economics, or law, are given special consideration.
What the Scholarship Covers
The Wilfried Martens Scholarship provides a comprehensive support package, which typically includes:
- Full tuition fees for the entire masters programme.
- A monthly stipend covering living expenses (approximately 1,0001,200 depending on the host country).
- Travel allowance for a roundtrip flight to Europe.
- Health insurance for the duration of the studies.
- Optional contribution toward accommodation costs.
In addition to financial support, scholars gain access to:
- A mentorship programme pairing them with senior EU officials or academics.
- Networking events, workshops and conferences organised by the European Parliament.
- Opportunities for internships within EU institutions during summer breaks.
How to Apply
The application process is competitive and consists of several stages:
- Online Registration: Create an account on the official WMS portal and upload a scanned copy of your passport.
- Academic Documents: Submit transcripts, degree certificates and proof of language proficiency.
- Motivation Letter: Write a 1,000word essay explaining why you want to study the chosen programme, how it aligns with your career goals, and how you plan to contribute to your country after graduation.
- Reference Letters: Provide two academic or professional references.
- Programme Choice: Select a masters programme that is approved by the WMS committee. A list of eligible programmes is available on the website.
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited to a video interview with the selection panel.
All documents must be submitted in English (or the language of the programme) and the deadline is usually 15April for the academic year beginning in September.
Start Your ApplicationContact & Further Information
If you have questions about eligibility, programme selection or the application timeline, please reach out to the WMS support team:
- Email: wms@europarl.europa.eu
- Phone: +32 2 284 65 00 (Belgium)
- Address: European Parliament, Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200, 1047 Brussels, Belgium
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