About us

"Your time as a student is the best time of your life" is a phrase you often hear, but why are your student years so important? During their student years, students are exposed to all kinds of outside influences, and by filtering and steering these influences, they shape and develop themselves. It is therefore more accurate to say that "your student years form a foundation for the rest of your life." For more than 200 years, Minerva has contributed in all sorts of ways to the personal development of Leiden students, with study and research playing an important role. The Minerva Scholarship Fund builds on this idea by giving students a gentle push during this crucial period and enabling them financially to go the extra mile.

The Minerva Scholarship Fund (MSF) foundation was established in 2009 by board members of the L.S.V. Minerva. They believed that the right of a student association to exist will, in the future, be derived not only from its social appeal, but increasingly from its contribution to an ambitious academic culture. Both succeeding in your studies and leading an active association life: that is the combination of the future. The MSF builds a bridge between ambitious Leiden students who stand at the start of their future and alumni of Leiden University who have already been through this development themselves. In this way, those shaping today's society can contribute to the development of those who will shape the future.

What exactly does the MSF do? The MSF provides scholarships for study and research projects across various academic disciplines, particularly at prestigious universities and institutes abroad. Students who want to spread their wings beyond Leiden in particular gain, through the MSF scholarship, a chance to develop themselves abroad. This might take the form of a specific research internship, or of broadening their general knowledge by taking courses abroad. The guiding principle here is that the scholarship benefits a project that advances scholarship. This makes Minerva the first student association ever to recognise the importance of contributing to successful study both in and from Leiden, both through its own members and through other motivated students at Leiden University. In this way, it does its part for both the development of students and the innovation and progress of scholarship and education within today's society.

How does the MSF differ from other funds? At the Minerva Scholarship Fund, the student is central: it is a fund for students, by students. The MSF is also accessible, fast and transparent. On top of that, every application is assessed by a highly expert Allocation Board made up entirely of professors at Leiden University. There are few other funds where applications are decided on by such critical, independent and knowledgeable people, with an eye for real talent and for genuinely important projects.

The MSF, however, is nothing without its sponsors. To make giving as attractive and accessible as possible for sponsors, the MSF holds ANBI status. This means it is a Public Benefit Organisation (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling, ANBI), so that donations to the fund go entirely towards talented students. During the two application rounds, on 15 April and 15 November, the quality of the applications is very high, which too often means that very interesting projects have to be turned down. Growing the MSF's capital is therefore essential. That is why the MSF organises dinners and other fundraising events in order to grow financially. A great deal is also donated by committed alumni, who understand how important it is to support students during this formative period.