Last updated: October 28, 2026 | Category: Netherlands Scholarships | Study Tribune Team
Quick answer: The Anne van den Ban Fund (ABF) is a fully funded MSc scholarship at Wageningen University for students from a list of developing countries, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Nepal and Egypt. You cannot apply for it directly. Wageningen invites selected candidates from complete MSc applications, so your job is to submit a strong, complete application before 1 December 2026. Results go to selected candidates in May 2027.
Note: ABF is a different programme from the Wageningen Africa Scholarship Programme (ASP). They have different country lists and different selection routes. See our ASP guide if you are an African citizen.
Anne van den Ban Fund (ABF) at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands |
| Level | MSc (on-campus) |
| Start | September 2027 |
| Funding | Travel, tuition (24 months), living allowance (24 months), visa and health insurance costs |
| Who | Nationals of eligible developing countries (list below) |
| How to get it | By invitation only; no direct application |
| MSc application deadline | Before 1 December 2026 |
| Results | May 2027, to selected candidates only |
Table of Contents
What the Wageningen Anne van den ban fund Covers
- Travel to and from the Netherlands
- A living allowance for the full programme (24 months)
- Tuition fee coverage for the full programme (24 months)
- Visa costs and health insurance costs
Wageningen says ABF awards are made in close cooperation with the university and are combined with the WU Fellowship Programme.
Who Is Eligible for Anne van den ban fund 2027
ABF is for international students from eligible developing countries who start an MSc in September 2027 and have unconditional admission. You must hold the nationality of at least one of these countries:
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
If you are from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh or Nepal, ABF is the Wageningen programme to target, because ASP is for African citizens only. If you are from an African country on the list, such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt or Uganda, check both ABF and ASP.
Can You Apply Directly?
No. WUR states that ABF is based on invitation and that you cannot apply for it directly. The route is:
- Apply for your MSc at Wageningen and submit a complete application before 1 December 2026.
- Wageningen’s ABF selection committee assesses complete applications submitted before the deadline.
- Selected candidates are informed during May 2027.
What “Complete Application” Means
Incomplete files are not assessed. By 1 December 2026 you need to have:
- Submitted your MSc application for an on-campus programme
- Met the English language requirement, with official test results ready to upload (tests can take several weeks, so book early)
- Completed your bachelor’s degree and uploaded your diploma
ABF scholarship Wageningen Timeline
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| Now to 1 Dec 2026 | Prepare documents, take your English test, submit your complete MSc application |
| 1 Dec 2026 | Deadline for complete MSc applications |
| Dec 2026 to spring 2027 | Admission decisions; you need unconditional admission |
| May 2027 | Results sent to selected candidates only |
| Sept 2027 | MSc starts |
How to Strengthen Your Application
WUR does not publish the ABF selection criteria, so we cannot tell you what the committee weighs. What you can control:
- Submit well before 1 December. Do not wait for the last day.
- Upload every document: transcripts, diploma, English test results, CV and motivation letter.
- Choose a programme that fits your degree, and explain why in your motivation letter.
- Aim for unconditional admission as early as possible.
Common Mistakes
- Looking for an ABF application form. There isn’t one.
- Missing the English test deadline because results take weeks to arrive.
- Submitting before your bachelor’s diploma is available.
- Confusing ABF with ASP or the NL Scholarship. The NL Scholarship is a separate €5,000 grant, and WUR says it cannot be used to meet the payment requirements for your intake.
FAQs
Is the Anne van den Ban Fund fully funded?
It covers travel, 24 months of tuition, a 24-month living allowance, and visa and health insurance costs.
Can Pakistani students get the ABF scholarship?
Yes. Pakistan is on the eligible country list. Selection is by invitation after a complete MSc application.
What is the difference between ABF and ASP?
ASP is for African citizens and also has a GPA and first-class honours requirement on WUR’s page. ABF is for citizens of a longer list of developing countries across Africa, Asia and beyond. They are selected separately.
Can I apply for both?
There is no separate form for either. If you are an African citizen from a country on both lists, your complete MSc application is assessed by WUR’s selection process. Check WUR’s page for how overlap is handled.
When are ABF results announced?
During May 2027, to selected candidates only.
Do I need admission first?
Yes. You need unconditional admission to the MSc programme.
Official source:
Wageningen University & Research Master’s scholarships page. Deadlines and eligibility change every cycle, so confirm on the WUR page before you apply.
Related Guides:
Maastricht NL-High Potential Scholarship
Scholarships in the Netherlands for international students
NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship)
Europe scholarships for international students
TU Delft van Effen Scholarship