The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is a fully funded scholarship awarded by the Swedish Institute for international students pursuing master’s studies in Sweden. It aims to develop future global leaders who will contribute to the sustainable development of their home countries through advanced education, leadership training, and professional networking.

Swedish universities and university colleges offering SI-eligible English-taught Master’s programmes.

The official list of eligible programmes for the 2026/2027 academic year is published by the Swedish Institute:

📄 Eligible Master’s Programmes (2026/2027, Official PDF):

➤ https://si.se/app/uploads/2025/11/eligible-master-programmes-si-sgp-2026_2027-tillganglighetsanpassad.pdf

🎓 Level:

•Master’s degree (1–2 years, full-time)

📘 Fields of Study include (but are not limited to):

• Governance

• Public Policy & International Relations

• Public Health & Global Health

• Entrepreneurship & Innovation

• Sustainability & Development Studies

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)

⚠️ Important Note:

1. Only master’s programmes listed in the official SI 2026/2027 Eligible Programmes PDF are accepted for scholarship consideration.

Not fixed.

Scholarships are awarded competitively across all 34 eligible countries and approved master’s programmes.

🌍 Global professionals from 34 eligible countries who:

• Are liable to pay tuition fees in Sweden

• Have proven work experience

• Have demonstrated leadership experience

• Intend to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries

Citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals:

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

🎓 1. Tuition Fee Coverage

Full tuition fee paid directly by the Swedish Institute to the university.

💰 2. Monthly Living Allowance

SEK 12,000 per month for the full study period.

✈️ 3. Travel Grant (One-time)

SEK 15,000

(SEK 10,000 for scholars from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova & Ukraine)

🤝 4. Professional Network

Membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals (NFGP).

🌐 5. Alumni Network

Automatic membership in the Sweden Alumni Network after graduation.

⚠️ Important Notes

• Insurance is not included

• No family allowance

• Application fee to University Admissions is not covered

• Programme changes or extensions are not permitted

✔ Eligible Applicants Must:

• Be a citizen of one of the 34 SI-eligible countries

• Apply to and be admitted to an SI-eligible Master’s programme (2026/2027)

• Be liable to pay tuition fees in Sweden

• Apply for studies starting in Autumn 2026

🧑‍💼 Work Experience (Mandatory)

Work experience is a core selection criterion for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals. Applicants do not need to be currently employed, but must be able to document previous professional experience using the official SI templates.

Valid work experience includes:

• Full-time or part-time employment

• Freelance or self-employment

• Contract-based work

• Employment in private sector, public sector, NGOs, or international organisations

📌 Minimum Work Experience Requirements:

• Applicants from Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia

➡️ Must have at least 3,000 hours of work experience completed before February 2026

➡️ Experience may be accumulated from a maximum of three employers

• Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine

➡️ No minimum hour requirement

➡️ Applicants with stronger and more relevant experience are prioritised

📌 Important Notes:

• Internships and volunteer work count only if formally documented

• Work experience relevant to the chosen field of study is prioritised

• All experience must be verified using SI Work Experience Certificate templates

👥 Leadership Experience (Mandatory)

In addition to work experience, applicants must demonstrate leadership experience, such as:

• Managing or supervising teams

• Coordinating projects or initiatives

• Influencing organisational strategy or decision-making

• Leading civil society, community, or professional networks

⚠️ Not Eligible If You:

• Cannot document required work experience

• Have no leadership experience

• Hold Swedish or EU/EEA citizenship

• Have a Swedish permanent or work-based residence permit

• Have already studied in Sweden for 2 years or more

• Have previously received an SI scholarship

• Are not admitted to an SI-eligible programme

• Hold disallowed dual citizenship (exceptions apply for Ukraine & Moldova)

🔹 Step 1: Apply for a Master’s Programme

You must first apply to SI-eligible Master’s programmes through University Admissions Sweden.

🌐 Platform:

➤ https://www.universityadmissions.se

📅 Application period:

16 October 2025 – 15 January 2026

⚠️ You must be admitted (or conditionally admitted) to an eligible programme in the first admission round to qualify for the SI scholarship.

🔹 Step 2: Apply for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals

After submitting your master’s application, you must apply separately for the SI scholarship via the Swedish Institute’s online portal.

📅 Scholarship application window:

🗓 9 February – 25 February 2026

⚠️ You may submit only ONE scholarship application, regardless of how many master’s programmes you applied for.

➡️ You may include up to four (4) eligible master’s programmes in a single scholarship application.

📄 Required Application Documents (Mandatory)

⚠️ Important:

All documents must be submitted in English, uploaded within the SI application portal, and prepared strictly using SI’s official templates where required.

Failure to follow instructions or submit any required document will result in automatic disqualification.

No additional documents beyond those listed below will be considered.

📌 1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Must use SI’s official CV template (2026/2027)

➤ SI’s official CV template (2026/2027): https://si.se/app/uploads/2025/11/cv-si-scholarships-2026_2027-updated-.docx

• Maximum length: 3 pages

• Only relevant academic, professional, and leadership experience should be included

• Additional pages will not be reviewed

📌 2. Proof of Work & Leadership Experience

• Must use SI’s official Work & Leadership Experience template (2026/2027)

➤ SI’s official Work & Leadership Experience template (2026/2027): https://si.se/app/uploads/2025/11/proof-of-work-and-leadership-experience-2026_2027.docx

• Must be typed, then printed, signed, and stamped

• Stamp must be from the organisation or a notary office

• May include experience from up to three employers

• Upload as ONE single PDF file

📎 Detailed instructions are included in the template and the SI FAQ.

📌 3. Two (2) Letters of Reference

• Required from two different referees

• At least one letter must be based on work experience

• The second letter may be based on:

– Work experience

– Entrepreneurship

– Civil society or professional networks

⭐ It is considered a merit if the second letter highlights entrepreneurship or engagement outside formal employment.

• Must use SI’s official Letter of Reference template (2026/2027)

➤ SI’s official Letter of Reference template (2026/2027): https://si.se/app/uploads/2025/11/letter-of-reference-form-si-scholarships-2026_2027.docx

• Letters must be typed → printed → signed → stamped

• Upload both letters together as ONE single PDF file

📌 4. Proof of Identity

• Photocopy of a valid passport or National ID card

• Must clearly show:

– Full name

– Citizenship

– Photograph

• Document must be valid at the time of application

📌 5. Motivation

• Written directly in the online application portal

• You may also be randomly selected to submit a short video presentation

⚠️ Final Important Notes

• Applications must be completed in English only

• Late submissions are not accepted

• Due to very high application volume, the portal may be slow near the deadline

➡️ Applicants are strongly advised NOT to wait until the last days to apply

https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/swedish-institute-scholarships-for-global-professionals/