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Global Executive MBA Scholarships at RSM Erasmus University

Discover scholarship opportunities for the Global Executive MBA at RSM. Financial support for senior leaders, strategic thinkers, and global decision-makers.

 

At Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), we are dedicated to empowering senior managers and seasoned entrepreneurs in their Global Executive MBA journey.


Whether you are a C-level leader, a senior manager with a strong leadership track record, or an internationally-minded professional looking to elevate your strategic impact, our scholarships offer financial support to help you pursue your Global Executive MBA in the Netherlands.


Explore the available scholarships below and discover how RSM can support your next step toward global leadership.

 

 

Why choose the RSM Global Executive MBA?
  • Strategic leadership development: Your own leadership development programme and roadmap based on personalised diagnostics.
  • Customised learning: A core curriculum complemented by specialised tracks and a wide selection of electives.
  • Global Experiential Learning: Study trips with senior-level guest speakers and company visits.
  • Earn while you learn: Balance your career, studies, and personal life with a flexible, part-time format
  • Rotterdam DNA: International. Diverse. A hub for innovation and leadership.

How to apply for a GEMBA scholarship

Applying for a GEMBA scholarship is easy. Once you have started your application for the Global Executive MBA programme, you can submit a scholarship essay and supporting documents via the online portal Embark.

Deadlines and specific instructions are listed under each scholarship below.

You may apply for more than one scholarship, but you can only be awarded one.

Scholarship Overview

1. Academic Excellence Scholarship (€18,000)

Availability: one out of one scholarship

 

Awarded to applicants demonstrating outstanding academic ability through their GMAT score or academic record.

 

Eligibility:
  • Outstanding Academic Performance: strong academic record with a minimum of a master’s degree (or equivalent) with distinction/high honors from a recognized institution.
  • Or: GMAT score of 680 or higher. GMAT Executive Assessments and the GRE scores will be accepted and will be converted using the official GRE-to-GMAT conversion tool by GMAC. Note that a GMAT can be provided to be eligible for this scholarship but is not a general requirement to be admitted to the programme.
Application: 
  • Applicants must submit either the official copy of their GMAT/GRE results; OR a copy of their distinction/honors results accompanied by a brief cover letter about their academic achievements.
2. Industry Leadership Scholarship (€15,000)

Availability: one out of one scholarship

 

For applicants recognised as leaders in financial services, consulting, healthcare, pharma, law, or tech.

 

Eligibility:
  • Proven industry recognition through awards, media features, or leadership engagements.
Application: 
  • Applicants must submit relevant supporting documentation and a brief cover letter. 
3. Entrepreneurial Impact Scholarship (€10,000)

Availability: one out of one scholarship

 

For applicants who have successfully founded or scaled a business with a significant market impact.

 

Eligibility:
  • Must have founded or scaled a business generating annual revenues exceeding €2 million.
Application: 
  • Applicants must submit relevant supporting documentation and a brief cover letter. 
4. Rising Star Scholarship (€18,000)

Availability: two out of two scholarships

 

This scholarship recognises exceptional leadership potential and a proven record of professional achievement among emerging senior leaders.

 

Eligibility:
  • Aged under 40 at the time of application
  • Typically possess 15 years of professional experience, including at least 10 years in managerial roles
  • Strong track record of executive responsibility and global exposure
Preferred Professional Background:

Applicants are expected to currently hold a Senior Manager position or higher at one of the following top-tier organisations:
A&O Shearman, ABN AMRO, Adyen, Ahold Delhaize, Bain & Company, BCG, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Goldman Sachs, Heineken, ING, JPMorgan, McKinsey, PVH, Rabobank, Robeco, Shell, Siemens AG, Siemens Healthineers, Strategy&, TNO, Unilever, Waterland Private Equity, or Wolters Kluwer.

Candidates from other companies will be considered on a case-by-case basis, particularly those who:

  • Hold comparable leadership roles, and/or
  • Are recognised as high-potential talent through their organisation’s corporate talent or leadership development programmes.
Application: 

Applicants must submit a brief cover letter. 

5. Strategic Corporate Partner Scholarship (€15,000)

Availability: two out of two scholarships

 

For employees of selected corporate partners demonstrating leadership potential. 

 

RSM Founding Companies and Strategic Partners:

  • ABN AMRO
  • AkzoNobel
  • TATA
  • Philips
  • Unilever
  • Shell
  • Rabobank
  • ING
Application: 
  • Applicants must submit a brief cover letter and a recommendation letter from the candidate’s company. 
6. Headhunters’ List Scholarship (€15,000)

Availability: two out of two scholarships

 

Awarded to professionals recognized as top talent and actively sought for senior leadership roles.

 
Eligibility:
  • Identified by a leading executive search firm (e.g., Korn Ferry, Egon Zehnder, Russell Reynolds, Spencer Stuart) as a candidate for a senior leadership role.
  • Listed in an industry ranking such as “40 Under 40”, “Young Captains Award” or similar leadership watchlists.
Application: 
  • Applicants must submit relevant supporting documentation and a brief cover letter. 
7. Public Sector Leadership Scholarship (€15,000)

Availability: one out of one scholarship

 

Awarded to professionals with a demonstrated track record of leadership in the public sector, international organizations, or non-profits.

 
Eligibility:
  • Currently hold or have previously held a senior leadership role (e.g., Head of Department) in a government agency, ministry, or international organization.
  • Have led or currently lead a large-scale public initiative with a measurable impact on policy, governance, or social programs.
  • Work in a policy or leadership capacity for an international organization (e.g., EU institutions, UN, World Bank, IMF, OECD, NATO).
Application:
  • Candidates are required to submit a letter from their organization confirming their role, responsibilities, and impact.
8. RSM Women in Leadership Scholarship (€10,000)

Availability: one out of one scholarship

 

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is committed to fostering diversity and empowering women in leadership. The RSM Women in Leadership Scholarship recognizes exceptional female professionals who have demonstrated resilience, ambition, and impact in their careers.

 
Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  1. Demonstrated success and career progression in industries where women are underrepresented, such as finance, technology, engineering, construction, energy, logistics, or manufacturing.
  2. Holding a Leadership Position – Currently serving in a mid-to-senior management or executive role, driving strategic initiatives and leading teams within their organization.
  3. Demonstrating Leadership in Advancing Opportunities– Leading by example through mentorship, advocacy, or initiatives that support the professional growth and success of women, particularly by fostering inclusive and equitable environments.
  4. Entrepreneurial Excellence – Founder or senior leader of a women-led business or startup, driving innovation and economic growth with measurable success.
Application: 
  • Applicants must submit a cover letter demonstrating how they meet the criteria. 
9. RSM Positive Impact Scholarship (€8000)

Availability: one out of one scholarship

 

This scholarship is awarded to Executive MBA candidates who have demonstrated a strong commitment to creating positive social change. We seek individuals who have contributed meaningfully to their communities—whether through nonprofit work, social entrepreneurship, public service, or impactful initiatives within corporate settings.

 
Eligibility Criteria:
  • Proven track record of community engagement or social impact initiatives
  • Clear vision for how the Executive MBA will amplify their societal contributions
  • Open to candidates from any sector, including nonprofit, public, and private
Application: 
  • Applicants must submit a short essay (max 500 words) describing their impact and future ambitions.
10. Alumni Lifelong Learning Award

The Alumni Lifelong Learning Award offers a 10% tuition discount to alumni of Erasmus University pursuing an Executive MBA at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM). This scholarship recognizes the value of lifelong learning and supports alumni in advancing their leadership and business expertise. It’s our way of investing in your continued growth while strengthening the Erasmus alumni community.

 
Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must have graduated from a NVAO accredited degree programme at RSM Erasmus University. 
Application: 
  • Applicants must submit a brief cover letter.

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Global Executive MBA Scholarships

 

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) offers a wide range of Global Executive MBA scholarships designed to support outstanding professionals from around the world. Whether you are an experienced leader, an entrepreneur, or a rising talent in your field, our scholarships provide financial assistance to help you pursue your Global Executive MBA in the Netherlands.

 

The RSM Global Executive MBA programme is incredibly relevant to the challenges businesses face today. For example, we had a course on platform thinking, and although I use platforms every day, I had never really considered how they could make an impact in my job. That class opened my eyes to the possibilities and helped me think about how I can prepare my employees for technological shifts like AI. The RSM GEMBA makes you aware of global developments that can directly affect your industry. It forces you to ask: How can I use these trends to my advantage? How can I adapt? How can I think differently? This programme ensures that we don’t just react to change but actively shape the future.

Chrissy van der Valk, Global Executive MBA Class of 2026

It’s lonely at the top. If you want to keep growing, you need to expose yourself to the right people and the right programmes. Corporate environments are often driven by specific interests, particularly profit. At RSM, you get a rare opportunity to step back, collaborate, and learn from other industries. Sometimes, the best solutions to your challenges come from completely different sectors. This programme gives you a unique space where you can test ideas, challenge yourself, and evolve in ways that aren’t possible at work, with family, or even among friends. If you want to push yourself and become a better leader, this is the place to do it.

Daniel Dorobantu, Global Executive MBA Class of 2026

The RSM Global Executive MBA has been truly transformative. I often describe it as life itself – giving you the test first and the lesson afterward. There have been moments of discomfort, but these were less about the programme’s demands and more about the expectations I placed on myself. The GEMBA experience constantly nudges you outside your comfort zone, teaching you how to navigate both professional and personal uncertainties.

Shreyas Ashok Kapse, Global Executive MBA Class of 2025

The Global Executive MBA programme has been challenging. You must be organised and disciplined with your time. It’s a family effort. It’s essential that people around you can provide the necessary support during your GEMBA journey. I will never regret this though. It’s the best idea I ever had. I’m not even halfway through the journey, and I’ve grown so incredibly much. The GEMBA class is amazing, I feel like I have an additional family.

Johanna Cardenas, Global Executive MBA Class of 2025

Johanna Cardenas, Global Executive MBA Class of 2025