The Swedish Institute (SI) has officially announced the opening of applications for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals 2026, a prestigious fully funded programme designed for experienced professionals seeking advanced education and leadership development.
According to the Swedish Institute, applications opened on February 9, 2026, with a short submission window that closes later in the month. The scholarship is aimed at qualified international candidates who intend to contribute to development in their home countries after completing their studies.
What the Scholarship Covers
The SI Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support to successful applicants, including:
Full tuition fee coverage, paid directly to Swedish universities
A monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000 to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses
A one-time travel grant of up to SEK 15,000 to support relocation to Sweden
Beyond financial benefits, scholars gain access to the SI Network for Global Professionals, which offers leadership training, professional workshops, and global networking opportunities.
The scholarship supports full-time one- or two-year master’s programmes taught in English across a wide range of fields, including governance, public health, entrepreneurship, innovation, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Who Is Eligible
The scholarship is open strictly to global professionals with verified work and leadership experience.
Applicants must be citizens of one of the 34 eligible countries, including Nigeria, as well as Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, and others listed by the Swedish Institute.
Eligible candidates must:
Apply for an English-taught master’s programme in Sweden for the Autumn 2026 intake
Provide documented work experience from employment, freelancing, or business activity
Show evidence of leadership experience from professional or civil society involvement
Only applicants who are admitted or conditionally admitted to an eligible master’s programme will be considered for the scholarship.
Application Process
Prospective applicants must first apply for a master’s programme through Sweden’s official University Admissions platform. Scholarship applications without a valid programme application will not be reviewed.
Candidates are advised to prepare required documents early, including:
Proof of work experience
Leadership credentials
Motivation statements
Official Swedish Institute templates
University admission results are released first, after which the Swedish Institute announces the final list of scholarship recipients.
Important Restrictions
You are not eligible for the SI Scholarship if:
You already hold a degree from, or are currently studying at, a Swedish university
You have lived in Sweden for two years or more before August 2026
You have previously received a Swedish Institute scholarship
You hold Swedish or EU/EEA citizenship, or a related residence permit
You have dual citizenship involving a country not on the DAC aid-eligible list
Applications for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals 2026 close on February 25, 2026.
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