The Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarship for Global Professionals 2026 is now open! This fully funded master’s scholarship from the Swedish government supports ambitious international professionals to study in Sweden and contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.
Applications for the scholarship itself opened on February 9, 2026, with a tight window—don’t miss the deadline!
What the Scholarship Covers
This prestigious award provides comprehensive support:
- Full tuition fees — Paid directly to the Swedish university.
- Monthly living allowance — SEK 12,000 to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses during your studies.
- One-time travel grant — Up to SEK 15,000 for relocation to Sweden.
- Membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals — Includes leadership training, workshops, networking events, and access to a global alumni community.
The scholarship funds full-time, one- or two-year English-taught master’s programmes at Swedish universities in fields such as:
- Governance and public administration
- Public health
- Entrepreneurship and innovation
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
(Over 400 eligible programmes are available across various universities.)
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
The scholarship targets experienced professionals with leadership potential. To be eligible, you must:
- Be a citizen of one of the 34 eligible countries (primarily from the DAC list of ODA recipients). These include: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia.
- Have applied (or been admitted/conditionally admitted) to an eligible English-taught master’s programme in Sweden for the autumn 2026 intake via University Admissions.
- Demonstrate work experience (from employment, freelancing, or business) and leadership experience (professional or civil society roles).
- Plan to return home and contribute to development after graduation.
Important: Who Cannot Apply?
You are not eligible if any of these apply:
- You are currently enrolled in or already hold a degree from a Swedish university/college.
- You have lived in Sweden for two years or more before August 2026.
- You previously received a Swedish Institute scholarship for studies in Sweden.
- You hold Swedish or EU/EEA citizenship, or a Swedish permanent/temporary residence permit based on employment or family ties to a Swedish/EU/EEA citizen.
- You hold dual citizenship including a nationality not on the eligible DAC list.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
- First, apply for master’s programmes — Submit applications to up to four eligible programmes via the official University Admissions platform (universityadmissions.se). Deadline: January 15, 2026 (note: this step must be completed before the scholarship application).
- Prepare your scholarship documents — Gather proof of work/leadership experience, motivation statement, CV, references, and any required SI templates.
- Submit your SI Scholarship application — Use the official SI portal (apply-scholarships.si.se) during the open window: February 9 – February 25, 2026 (closes at 14:59 CET on February 25).
- Timeline after submission:
- March 26, 2026: University admission results announced.
- April 23, 2026: SI Scholarship recipients announced.
- Successful applicants receive support for travel and preparations.
Key Tip: Start early! The scholarship window is short (only two weeks), and you need a valid master’s programme application number to apply.
Why Apply?
This is a life-changing opportunity to gain a world-class education, build leadership skills, and join a powerful global network—all while fully funded by the Swedish Institute.
For the most accurate and up-to-date details, including the full list of eligible programmes and countries, visit the official website:
https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/swedish-institute-scholarships-for-global-professionals
Apply now—spots are competitive!