The SI Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) 2026 is a prestigious fully funded scholarship program offered by the Swedish Government for international students. It is designed to support ambitious global professionals pursuing full-time master’s degree studies at Swedish universities. This scholarship opens up an exceptional opportunity to study in Sweden with financial support and access to a global network of leaders./
Basic Information about the Scholarships and Application Deadline
The SI Swedish Institute Scholarships 2026 support master’s studies commencing in the autumn semester. The key dates for the 2026/2027 academic year are:
- Application deadline for Swedish master’s programs: January 15, 2026 (application through University Admissions)
- Application period for SI Scholarship documents: February 9-25, 2026
- University admission announcement: March 26, 2026
- SI Scholarship result announcement: April 23, 2026
- Deadline to accept scholarship offer: May 1, 2026
The scholarship is awarded to citizens of 33 eligible countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, including Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, and others. Applicants must be admitted to an eligible master’s program in Sweden and meet work and leadership experience criteria.
University/Institution Details
The scholarship applies to full-time master’s programs at Swedish universities. The Swedish Institute collaborates with numerous institutions across Sweden, offering a wide range of English-taught programs. Universities such as Halmstad, Lund, Stockholm, Uppsala, and Gothenburg participate in this program.
Study Areas (Available Program Names)
The fields of study cover most academic disciplines for master’s degrees, including but not limited to:
- Mathematics
- Natural Science
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Social Science and Behavioral Science
- Veterinary Medicine and Nursing
- Arts, Design and Media
- Business Administration and Economics
- Education/Educational Sciences/Didactics
- Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, and Fishery
- Health and Medical Care
- Law and Legal Studies
- Materials, Construction, and Manufacturing
- Religious Studies
- Technology
- Humanities
- Social Work and Welfare
- Journalism, Communication, and Information
- Languages
- You can More Degree Programs (Click Here)
Fields of study include:
- Governance
- Public Health
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
Almost all master’s level programs taught in English at Swedish universities are eligible as per the official list published each year.
SI Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals 2026 Benefits
The SI Scholarship is fully funded and covers:
- Full tuition fee (paid directly to the university).
- Monthly living allowance: SEK 12,000.
- One-time travel grant: SEK 15,000 (SEK 10,000 for certain countries).
- Membership in SI Network for Global Professionals (NFGP), connecting scholars worldwide for lifelong collaboration and leadership development
- Lifetime access to the Sweden Alumni Network.
Benefits Not Included
- Health insurance.
- Family support funds.
- Application fee.
- Programme changes or scholarship extensions.
Country of Citizenship
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, Vietnam, Zambia
Eligibility Criteria for the SI Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals 2026
Applicants must fulfill the following:
- Citizen of one of 33 eligible countries (including Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, etc.).
- Must apply for eligible master’s programmes (list out in Nov 2025).
- Must pay tuition fees and be admitted to a Swedish university.
- Must have work experience and leadership experience.
- Demonstrate leadership experience through employment or civil society engagement
- Proficiency in English as required by the chosen master’s program
- Leadership Experience
- Experience leading colleagues, teams, or projects.
- Can be from a job, organization, or civil society activity.
- No set hour requirement, but stronger leadership = higher priority.
Work Experience Requirements
- For Bangladesh & most countries: Minimum 3,000 hours before Feb 2026 (can be from up to 3 employers).
- For some Eastern European countries: No minimum hours, but more experience preferred.
Not Eligible If You:
- Already studied or hold a degree from a Swedish university.
- Lived in Sweden for 2+ years before Aug 2026.
- Hold Swedish/EU citizenship or permanent residence.
- Previously received an SI Scholarship.
Required Documents for the Application
The application must include the following documents, properly formatted:
- Motivation letter using the SISGP template explaining your study and leadership motivation
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) following SISGP guidelines (max 3 pages)
- Two different letters of reference: at least one based on work experience and if possible, another based on civil society/network involvement. Letters must be signed, stamped, and submitted as PDF files
- Proof of work and leadership experience endorsed by referees
- Copy of a valid passport showing personal data and citizenship
Incomplete or wrongly formatted documents will lead to disqualification of the application.
SI Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals 2026 Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Check eligibility against the list of eligible countries and master’s programs (published mid-November 2025)
- Apply to master’s programs at Swedish universities through universityadmissions.se between October 16, 2025, and January 15, 2026
- Wait for university admission results announced on March 26, 2026
- Prepare all SI scholarship application documents according to SISGP formats
- Submit the SI Scholarship application online via the Swedish Institute portal from February 9 to February 25, 2026
- Await scholarship results announcement on April 23, 2026
- Accept the scholarship offer by May 1, 2026
Tips for a Successful Application
- Start preparing your university application and scholarship documents early to avoid last-minute issues
- Ensure all documents are formatted precisely according to SISGP templates
- Highlight leadership experiences and achievements clearly in the motivation letter and CV
- Obtain strong and credible letters of reference from professional or civil society contacts
- Proofread your application thoroughly for completeness and accuracy
- Demonstrate clear career goals and how studying in Sweden will enable you to contribute to your home country.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in Sweden (in USD)
Living in Sweden offers high quality but comes with moderate expenses for students:
- Accommodation: USD 300–700 per month, depending onthe city
- Food and groceries: USD 240–300 per month
- Public transportation: USD 50–65 per month (student discounts available)
- Phone and internet: USD 30–50 per month
- Miscellaneous (leisure, clothing): USD 100–150 per month
On average, international students need about USD 1,200 per month to cover living costs, which aligns well with the SI monthly stipend of SEK 12,000 (~ USD 1,200).
Why Choose This Scholarship? 5 Key Reasons
- Fully Funded: Tuition fees, living stipend, travel allowance, and insurance fully covered, reducing financial stress
- World-Class Education: Study at top Swedish universities renowned for research and innovation
- Leadership Development: Access to a global professional network and exclusive leadership training programs
- Wide Range of Programs: Most master’s programs across disciplines are eligible
- Career Impact: Equip yourself with skills and connections to make a meaningful difference in your home country and globally
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I apply if I have dual citizenship?
A: Yes, but you must choose only one eligible citizenship to submit your application. Submitting multiple applications will lead to disqualification.
Q2: Is residing in the eligible country required at the time of application?
A: No, you do not need to reside in your country of citizenship when applying.
Q3: Is the SI Scholarship open for PhD studies?
A: No, the scholarship is strictly for full-time master’s programs.
Q4: Can I apply for more than one master’s program?
A: You may apply to multiple master’s programs through University Admissions but must apply through the SI portal for only one eligible program scholarship.
Q5: What if I do not get the scholarship?
A: There are other scholarships available for studies in Sweden; consider applying for them in parallel.
Key Dates (2025–2026)
- 16 Oct 2025 – 15 Jan 2026: Apply for master’s programmes on University Admissions.
- Mid-Nov 2025: Eligible master’s programmes list & documents published.
- 9–25 Feb 2026: Apply for SI Scholarship.
- 26 Mar 2026: University admission results.
- 23 Apr 2026: SI Scholarship results.
Official Link:
This comprehensive guide to the SI Swedish Institute Scholarships 2026 by the Swedish Government will assist prospective international students in preparing a strong application to benefit from this fully funded opportunity for world-class education in Sweden.
