STAP-budget

Please note: at this moment, it is not yet possible to apply STAP-budget for Bachelor and Mastser programmes offered by the University of Groningen. Gradually, more courses, trainings and other offerings will become available. Currently, you can enroll for courses from the Groningen Digital Business Centre (GDBC). Would you like to know more about STAP? Then you can use this page to prepare your application. As soon as it is possible to apply the subsidy for more RUG programmes, we will inform you.

Since 1 March 2022, it has been possible to apply for STAP from the government. STAP stands for Stimulating the Labour Market. Once per calendar year employees and jobseekers can apply for a STAP subsidy to a maximum of € 1,000. It can be used for a training course or an education programme. You can apply for the subsidy via the UWV. The UWV is responsible for employee insurance in the Netherlands and has set up a portal (only in Dutch) especially for this purpose.

In 2023, you can apply in one of the five application periods. If the budget of an application period is used up, you can reapply at the start of the next application period. 

The application periods in 2023 open on

You must have applied for your STAP-budget no later than four weeks before the course or training starts and your course or training must start no later than three months after the last day of the relevant application period.

Your application must mee a number of conditions

• The course, training or education must be included in the STAP-scholingsregister (only in Dutch). This register lists all the courses for which the STAP-budget can be used.
• You are at least 18 years old and have not yet reached the AOW pensionable age.
• In the period of 2 years and 3 months prior to applying for the subsidy, you have been insured for at least 6 months in the Netherlands for national insurance purposes.
• If you apply for STAP for a full-time course recognised by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, you must be 30 years of age or older to avoid a possible overlap with student loans.
• After you have taken part in the programme, course or training, the RUG sends a certificate of participation to the UWV. If you fail to take part or fail to take part to a sufficient extent, the UWV will withdraw your grant and you will have to pay the course or tuition fees yourself.

The subsidy, after approval of the UWV, is paid to the institution instead of the student. This means that you will not receive any money, but it will be settled with the tuition/course/registration fee.

More information about the STAP can be found on the information page by the government (only in Dutch). It includes frequently asked questions and a step-by-step plan for applying.