Applications for NICE 2025 are open from 8 January to 5 February 2025, 23:59 CET.

In brief

Fact sheet for NICE 2024-2025 (soon to be replaced with new version) (pdf)

Who should apply?

Are you passionate about intercultural collaboration and tackling social issues aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development GoalsExternal link (SDGs)? If so, NICE offers an ideal opportunity for you! While we prioritise students facing barriers to studying or traveling abroad (such as those with specific learning needs, physical or mental health conditions, or financial constraints) this programme is open to everyone. Students from all disciplines and study stages are encouraged to apply.

Who is involved?

NICE, short for The Network for Intercultural Competence to facilitate EntrepreneurshipExternal link, includes the following institutions: University College DublinExternal link, the University of EdinburghExternal link, the University of PadovaExternal link, Taras Shevchenko National University of KyivExternal link, Jagiellonian UniversityExternal link, the University of JohannesburgExternal link, and the University of AmsterdamExternal link.

What does NICE offer?

Virtual International Experience:
NICE offers a unique 12-week virtual programme that allows you to collaborate with students from around the globe to tackle a global challenge and develop an innovative business plan, all with the guidance of dedicated volunteers. Upon completing the NICE module, you have the (optional) opportunity to further enhance your skills by training to facilitate the next round of NICE students.

Physical international experience:
The journey doesn't stop there. Each year, the programme offers an optional summer school. Here, you'll finally meet some of the peers you've collaborated with and befriended online. With just 10 spots available, the summer school is an exclusive opportunity to bring your ideas to life and forge lasting international connections.

When is NICE?

• Applications open: 8 January 2025
• Applications close: 5 February 2025
• Online programme: March to June 2025 (dates to be confirmed)
• Summer school: 28 June to 5 July 2025

Where is NICE?

NICE is a hybrid programme that combines virtual and in-person experiences. This year, the summer school will be held in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, with previous sessions hosted in beautiful Padova and Kraków.

Get informed

• Subscribe to our newsletterExternal link to stay updated on important deadlines and dates for our international (summer) programmes.
• Attend the session on ‘Exploring Short-term Learning Opportunities’External link at Study Abroad Fair on 2 November 2024.
• Register for workshops hosted by the Office of International Student Affairs to get helpful tips on how to make the best out of your study abroad experience in regards to your personal as well as professional development.

Why choose NICE?

NICE empowers you to achieve four exciting goals:

1. Boost Your Employability - Enhance your career prospects by developing vital intercultural competencies and entrepreneurial skills while collaborating in virtual teams to tackle global challengesExternal link.
2. Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Spirit - With a focus on creativity and innovation, NICE equips you to become a confident risk-taker ready to lead projects to success.
3. Master Collaborative Tools - Success in the workplace hinges on effective collaboration. NICE offers engaging projects that challenge you to work alongside students from diverse cultures.
4. Cultivate Intercultural Competence - Navigate the complexities of culture and communication by understanding how these structures shape behavior. Develop the skills to work positively with people from different backgrounds.

Funding

• Partaking in the virtual programme is free.
• The programme fee for the summer school is covered by the UvA.
• The 10 selected summer school students receive a scholarship to cover part of the travel and accommodation costs.
  • The amount of the scholarship will be announced soon.
  • The scholarship will be disbursed in two installments: 70% before departure and 30% after departure.

How to apply

Meet the condition to apply for NICE

All applicants must meet the following condition:
You are enrolled as a full-time fee paying student at the University of Amsterdam from the moment of application until the end of the programme.

Request priority for the NICE summer school

The NICE programme is especially suitable for the following groups of students who face challenges in studying abroad: students with financial constraints, specialised learning needs, and/or physical or mental health conditions. Applicants who provide proof of belonging to one or more of these groups will be given priority in the selection process.

If you're unable to provide the required documentation, we still encourage you to apply, though without priority consideration.

Priority consideration

You may receive priority consideration based on one or two criteria:

1. Financial Constraints - If you are receiving the "aanvullende beurs" (supplementary grant) from DUOExternal link, submit an official document from DUO showing you receive a grant of more than €0.00. A screenshot from "Mijn DUO" is not valid.
2. Physical or Mental Condition - If you have a physical or mental condition that affects your studies or ability to study abroad, fill out and submit this medical statement (pdf). Please do not include any personal medical information, such as medications or diagnoses.

Priority categories

• Category 1: Submit both a valid DUO statement and a medical statement.
• Category 2: Submit either a valid DUO statement or a medical statement.
• Category 3: You have not participated in an exchange during your higher education and have not been selected for a future exchange.
• Category 4: Other students may apply without priority consideration.

Apply in these steps

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Gather Documentation - If applicable, obtain your medical statement and/or DUO letter. If you don’t have these documents, you can proceed to step 2.
2. Email Your Application - Send an email to global@uva.nlExternal link with the subject line: “NICE Application + [Your Name].” Attach your medical statement and/or DUO letter. If you wish to continue your application without priority, please indicate this in your email. Once we receive your email and assign you a priority category, we will send you the link to the application form.
3. Complete the Application Form - Fill out the application form, which will require a brief recommendation letter from a peer (to be copied into the form) and a brief motivation statement. Please do not wait until the last minute to prepare your application, as this is the final step.

After application

Selection

10 students are selected through a lottery process, following these steps:

1. We determine your priority category (first, second, third, or fourth).
2. A lottery is conducted among applicants in priority category 1.
3. If spots remain, a lottery is held for priority category 2, followed by categories 3 and  4, as needed.

After submitting your application, you will be notified in March about the results and any potential next steps.

Excluded from selection

You are excluded from selection if one or more of the following applies to you:

• You are not enrolled as a full-time fee paying student at the University of Amsterdam from the moment of application until the end of the programme.
• You submitted an incomplete application.
• You missed the deadline.

Questions?

This programme is coordinated by the Office of International Student Affairs, the central international office of the UvA. Please email global@uva.nlExternal link if you have any questions.

Please read this page and the attached fact sheet beforehand.