SI Scholarship for Global Professionals 2026

The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is Sweden’s flagship fully-funded master’s scholarship program supporting future global leaders who can drive sustainable development in their home countries. Administered by the Swedish Institute (SI), the scholarship funds 1–2 year master’s studies at top Swedish universities — entirely in English.

Through this prestigious scholarship, selected scholars receive world-class education, leadership training, innovation exposure, and become part of SI’s global network of changemakers.

The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is one of the most competitive and impactful scholarships in Europe, aiming to build long-term international partnerships for a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable world.

Key Dates & Details

🎓 What the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals Covers

The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is a fully funded scholarship that includes:

✔ Full Tuition Fees

Covered directly by SI — paid to the university every semester.

✔ Monthly Living Allowance

SEK 12,000 per month for accommodation, food, and daily expenses.

✔ Travel Grant

• SEK 15,000 for most eligible countries
• SEK 10,000 for scholars from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine

✔ Leadership & Networking Platform

Membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals (NFGP), an international community of leaders, NGOs, innovators, policymakers, and alumni.

✔ Alumni Membership

After graduation, scholars join the Sweden Alumni Network with lifelong opportunities.

❌ The Scholarship Does NOT Cover

• Application fee for University Admissions (SEK 900)
• Insurance (universities may offer free coverage)
• Additional family support
• Extensions or program changes
• Late applications

🌐 Eligible Countries

Applicants must be citizens of one of SI’s 34 eligible countries:

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

Your place of residence does not matter — citizenship does.

🧭 Eligible Master’s Programmes

The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals only applies to English-taught master’s programmes listed as eligible on SI’s website (published mid-November 2025). These typically include:

• Public Health
• Governance & Democracy
• Environmental Sciences
• Sustainability & Climate
• Human Rights
• Data & AI
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• STEM fields

You must apply to up to 4 programmes through UniversityAdmissions.se.

🧑‍💼 Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals, you must:

✔ Hold citizenship of an eligible country

✔ Apply for an SI-eligible master’s programme

✔ Be liable to pay tuition fees

✔ Have demonstrated work experience

✔ Have leadership experience (employment or civil society)

✔ Be admitted to a programme by 26 March 2026

Applicants currently studying in Sweden or with Swedish/EU citizenship are not eligible, except for specific exceptions listed by SI.

💼 Work Experience Requirements

Applicants from:

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine
→ Must provide proof of work experience (no minimum hours). More experience = higher score.

Applicants from the other 28 countries

→ Must have at least 3,000 hours of work experience by Feb 2026.
This includes full-time, part-time, freelance, or self-employment.

⭐ Leadership Experience Requirements

Leadership experience may include:

• Supervising a team
• Leading projects, NGOs, or community initiatives
• Strategic responsibilities
• Decision-making roles

There is no minimum hour requirement, but stronger leadership = higher chance of selection.

📅 Key Dates (Application Timeline)

📝 How to Apply

Step 1 — Apply for a Master’s Programme

Website: https://universityadmissions.se
Deadline: 15 January 2026

You will receive an 8-digit personal application number — required for the SI Scholarship.

Step 2 — Apply for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals

Portal: Opens 9–25 February 2026

You must upload:

1. CV (SI Template) — Max 3 pages
2. Proof of Work & Leadership Experience (SI Template)
3. Two Letters of Reference (SI Template)
4. Valid Passport / ID Copy
5. Motivation Statement (via portal)
6. (Optional) Short Video Presentation

Only one application is allowed, even if applying to multiple programmes.

📌 Required Documents (Official Templates)

✔ CV Template (to be published mid-Nov 2025)
✔ Work & Leadership Template
✔ Reference Letter Templates
✔ Passport scan

All documents must be in English, typed, printed, signed, stamped, and uploaded as one single PDF per category.

Incorrect or incomplete submissions = automatic disqualification.

🔍 Evaluation Criteria

The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals selection is based on:

1️⃣ Academic and Professional Excellence

2️⃣ Leadership Potential

3️⃣ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

4️⃣ Motivation and Clarity of Purpose

5️⃣ Country and sector diversity

6️⃣ Strength of reference letters

7️⃣ Alignment with Sweden’s international priorities

Thousands of candidates apply each year — only the most impactful profiles succeed.

Official SI Scholarship Page: https://si.se

Apply for Master’s Programmes: https://universityadmissions.se

FAQs: https://si.se

Oppotify (More Scholarships): https://oppotify.com