The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals 2027 offers fully funded master’s studies in Sweden for professionals from 34 eligible countries. Selected applicants receive full tuition coverage, SEK 12,000 per month for living expenses, and a one-time travel grant of up to SEK 15,000. Applications for the autumn 2027 intake involve two stages. You must apply for an eligible master’s programme by 15 January 2027, then submit your Swedish Institute scholarship application between 8 and 24 February 2027.
The scholarship is intended for applicants with documented work and leadership experience. Most eligible nationalities must demonstrate at least 3,000 hours of qualifying work experience, although different rules apply to six countries. This guide explains the eligibility requirements, available funding, required documents, selection process, and how to apply.
SI Scholarship for Global Professional 2027: Quick overview
| Scholarship details | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals |
| Funding organisation | Swedish Institute (SI) |
| Host country | Sweden |
| Degree level | Master’s |
| Academic intake | Autumn 2027 |
| Duration | One or two years |
| Scholarship coverage | Fully funded |
| Tuition fees | Fully covered |
| Monthly stipend | SEK 12,000 |
| Travel grant | SEK 10,000–15,000, depending on nationality |
| Eligible nationalities | 34 countries |
| University application deadline | 15 January 2027 |
| Scholarship application period | 8–24 February 2027 |
| Final scholarship deadline | 24 February 2027, 14:59 CET |
| Scholarship results | 22 April 2027 |
| Application method | Online |
What does the Swedish Institute Scholarship cover?
The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals provides financial support for full-time, English-taught master’s programmes lasting one or two years at participating Swedish universities.
Successful applicants receive:
- Full tuition fee coverage: The Swedish Institute pays tuition fees directly to the university each semester.
- SEK 12,000 monthly living allowance: Financial support throughout the scholarship period.
- SEK 15,000 travel grant: A one-time payment for eligible scholarship recipients.
- SEK 10,000 travel grant: The applicable amount for recipients from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
- Professional networking: Membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals during studies and access to the Sweden Alumni Network after completing the scholarship.
The travel grant is unavailable to recipients already living in Sweden.
What is not covered?
Although the scholarship is classified as fully funded, applicants should budget for expenses that are excluded from the award.
The scholarship does not cover insurance, additional financial support for family members, or the University Admissions application fee.
It also does not permit changes to the awarded study programme or extensions of the scholarship period.
Applicants planning to move to Sweden with their spouse or children should consider these limitations before applying.
Who is eligible for the Swedish Institute Scholarship 2027?
Applicants must satisfy the nationality, university admission, professional experience and leadership requirements established by the Swedish Institute.
1. Eligible countries
The scholarship is available to citizens of the following 34 countries:
| Region | Eligible countries |
|---|---|
| Asia | Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam |
| Europe and neighbouring countries | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan |
| Africa | Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia |
| Latin America | Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru |
| Middle East | Iraq, Jordan |
You do not need to live in your country of citizenship when applying.
However, public-sector employees from Georgia and Belarus are not eligible. Additional restrictions apply to applicants with certain citizenships, residence permits, previous Swedish university enrolment or prior Swedish Institute scholarships.
Important: Pakistan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka are not among the 34 eligible countries for this scholarship cycle. Applicants from these countries should explore other Swedish university scholarships rather than submit an ineligible SI application.
If your country is not included in the Swedish Institute’s eligible nationality list, consider the ILSPSD Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027. It welcomes applicants from all nationalities, offers €1,400 per month with tuition coverage, and has a scholarship application deadline of 4 January 2027.
2. Work experience requirements
Professional experience is a mandatory eligibility condition, but the minimum requirement depends on your citizenship.
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 and Zambia must demonstrate at least 3,000 hours of work experience before 8 February 2027.
For example, working 40 hours per week for 50 weeks equals 2,000 hours. Another 1,000 eligible hours from qualifying employment could bring your total to 3,000 hours. Remember that SI accepts experience from a maximum of three employers for countries subject to this requirement.
These hours can come from a maximum of three employers and may include full-time employment, part-time employment, freelancing or entrepreneurship.
Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine must provide evidence of work experience, but no minimum number of hours applies. More extensive experience may strengthen their applications.
The Swedish Institute does not count internships as employment for this requirement.
3. Leadership experience
Applicants must also demonstrate leadership experience gained through employment, entrepreneurship or civil society involvement.
Relevant examples include supervising colleagues, assigning responsibilities, participating in organisational decisions or influencing development strategies.
There is no minimum number of leadership hours. However, the Swedish Institute prioritises applicants with strong, relevant and documented leadership experience.
You do not need to hold a senior management title to demonstrate leadership, but your evidence should explain what responsibilities you actually held.
4. Academic admission requirements
You must apply for an eligible master’s programme and be liable to pay tuition fees at Swedish universities.
You must also be admitted or conditionally admitted to an eligible programme when university admission results are announced on 1 April 2027.
The Swedish Institute does not set a separate minimum GPA or English-language test score. These requirements are determined by the universities and University Admissions.
If you are preparing your university application, our guide on how to write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for master’s applications explains how to connect your academic background, programme choice and future career goals.
Which master’s programmes are eligible?
The scholarship supports selected English-taught master’s programmes in four broad fields:
- Governance
- Public Health
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
The Swedish Institute will publish the official list of eligible master’s programmes on 13 November 2026.
Not every English-taught master’s degree in Sweden qualifies for this scholarship. Applicants should check the official list before finalising their university choices.
You can apply for up to four master’s programmes through University Admissions.
Interested in studying environmental science and sustainability in Sweden? The MESPOM Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027 offers a European joint master’s programme that includes Lund University in Sweden. Applicants from all countries can apply, subject to the programme’s academic requirements.
Required documents for the SI Scholarship 2027
The Swedish Institute requires applicants to submit their scholarship documents in English, using its official templates where specified.
| Document | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Curriculum vitae | SI template, maximum three pages |
| Proof of work experience | SI template with required verification |
| Proof of leadership experience | SI template with required verification |
| Two reference letters | Two different referees; at least one work-based |
| Passport or national ID | Valid document showing identity, citizenship and photograph |
| Motivation statement | Completed through the scholarship application portal |
The work and leadership verification forms must follow the Swedish Institute’s signing, stamping and PDF submission instructions.
Reference letters must also use the prescribed templates and be signed and stamped as required.
The official 2027/2028 templates will be published on 13 November 2026.
Applicants should not reuse templates from earlier scholarship cycles, as the Swedish Institute explicitly requires the current versions.
The SI scholarship application also asks applicants to explain their motivation. Our guide on how to write a motivation letter for scholarships includes practical examples of connecting professional experience, achievements and future goals. Follow the specific questions in the SI application portal rather than submitting a generic letter.
How to apply for the Swedish Institute Scholarship 2027
The application involves two separate stages: university admission and the scholarship application.
Step 1: Apply for eligible master’s programmes (16 October 2026 – 15 January 2027)
Visit UniversityAdmissions.se and submit your application for eligible master’s programmes.
University and Master Programs Application for SI Scholarship for Global Professionals
You may select up to four programmes through the central admissions system.
After applying, save your University Admissions application number. You will need it for the SI scholarship application.
Complete the required university documentation and pay the applicable application fee within the relevant deadlines.
Step 2: Prepare your scholarship documents (From 13 November 2026)
Download the updated scholarship templates from the official Swedish Institute website.
Contact your referees early, especially if your employer requires additional time to approve, sign or stamp documents.
Prepare your CV, professional experience verification and motivation statement before the scholarship portal opens.
Step 3: Submit the SI scholarship application (8–24 February 2027)
Complete the online application through the Swedish Institute’s scholarship portal.
Apply Here for SI Scholarships for Global Professionals
The final deadline is 24 February 2027 at 14:59 Central European Time (CET).
Only one scholarship application should be submitted, even if you applied for several master’s programmes.
Step 4: Wait for university admission results (1 April 2027)
University Admissions will announce its admission decisions.
Only applicants admitted or conditionally admitted to eligible programmes on this date remain under consideration for the scholarship.
Applicants placed solely on waiting lists are not eligible for an SI scholarship award.
Step 5: Check the scholarship results (22 April 2027)
The Swedish Institute will announce successful scholarship recipients on its official website.
Selected applicants will receive scholarship offers by email and must respond within the specified acceptance period.
Note: The Swedish Institute does not charge a fee for the scholarship application itself. However, you must pay the applicable University Admissions application fee on time unless you qualify for an exemption under its rules. The SI scholarship does not reimburse this fee.
Careers Help Desk Counter Angle: Why university admission alone is not enough
One of the most important things to understand about this scholarship is that university admission and scholarship selection are separate decisions.
You might have excellent academic qualifications and receive admission to a Swedish master’s programme, yet still be unsuccessful in the SI scholarship competition.
The Swedish Institute evaluates applicants’ professional experience, leadership background and potential to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.
This has three practical implications.
First, choose a master’s programme that connects logically with your professional experience and future development goals. A clear connection makes it easier to explain why the degree matters.
Second, demonstrate actual leadership responsibilities rather than relying on job titles. For example, explaining how you coordinated a project, managed colleagues or introduced an improvement is more informative than simply describing yourself as a team leader.
Third, pay close attention to the university admission timeline. The Swedish Institute will not award scholarships to applicants who are admitted too late or remain on reserve lists on the official admission date.
There is also a documentation risk. SI states that incomplete forms, incorrect templates or missing verification can result in disqualification before the application is evaluated competitively.
Our recommendation: Treat eligibility verification and document preparation as seriously as your motivation statement. A strong application cannot compensate for missing mandatory evidence.
If your professional background involves humanitarian action, development or public policy, you can also explore the NOHA Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027. This European joint master’s programme offers a scholarship of €1,400 per month for up to 24 months, with applications for funding due by 15 December 2026.
Common mistakes to avoid
Several application errors can prevent otherwise qualified candidates from receiving consideration.
- Applying for an ineligible master’s programme: Only programmes included in the official SI list qualify.
- Counting internships toward mandatory work hours: SI does not recognise internships as qualifying employment.
- Using an ordinary CV or old templates: The mandatory SI CV and verification templates must be used.
- Submitting incomplete reference letters: Required signatures, stamps and formatting must be present.
- Entering the wrong university application number: This can lead to scholarship disqualification.
- Changing admission arrangements without checking the consequences: Changes that delay admission beyond 1 April 2027 can affect scholarship eligibility.
- Waiting until the final day: The SI application portal closes at a specific time, and late submissions are not accepted.
Ready to Apply for Scholarships in Sweden
The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals 2027 provides full tuition funding and living support for eligible professionals pursuing master’s studies in Sweden. The most immediate task is to identify suitable master’s programmes and complete the University Admissions application by 15 January 2027. Applicants should also begin collecting evidence of work and leadership experience before the SI scholarship portal opens in February.
Official application resources:
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is the Swedish Institute Scholarship 2027 fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, provides SEK 12,000 per month for living expenses and includes a one-time travel grant for eligible recipients. It does not include insurance or financial support for accompanying family members.
Can I apply without IELTS?
The Swedish Institute does not impose a separate IELTS requirement. However, applicants must satisfy the English-language requirements of their selected master’s programmes. Whether IELTS, TOEFL or another form of evidence is accepted depends on University Admissions and the university.
Can fresh graduates apply for the SI Scholarship?
Fresh graduates can apply if they satisfy the applicable work experience and leadership requirements. Applicants from most eligible countries must demonstrate at least 3,000 qualifying work hours, which makes the scholarship difficult for graduates without substantial professional experience.
Can I apply if I currently live outside my home country?
Yes. Your country of residence does not determine eligibility. Your citizenship must be among the eligible countries, and other scholarship conditions still apply.
Can I apply for multiple master’s programmes?
Yes. You can apply for up to four master’s programmes through University Admissions, but you should submit only one SI scholarship application.
What is the deadline for the Swedish Institute Scholarship 2027?
The scholarship application deadline is 24 February 2027 at 14:59 CET. However, applicants must first submit their university applications by 15 January 2027.
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