The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals 2027/2028 is a fully funded scholarship from the Swedish Institute for a master’s degree in Sweden. It covers full tuition plus a monthly living allowance, and it is open only to citizens of 34 listed countries. The portal is open for just two weeks, from 8 to 24 February 2027, closing at 14:59 CET on the final day.
What the scholarship pays for
Full tuition is paid directly by the Swedish Institute to your university each semester. You also receive SEK 12,000 per month for living expenses, plus a one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000, or SEK 10,000 if you come from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova or Ukraine. The travel grant does not apply if you already live in Sweden.
You also join the SI Network for Global Professionals and, later, the Sweden Alumni Network. Not covered: insurance, family grants, and the University Admissions application fee. You cannot change programmes or extend the scholarship period once awarded.
The key details at a glance
| Scholarship | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals 2027/2028 |
| Offered by | Swedish Institute (SI), Sweden |
| Study level | Full-time 1-year or 2-year master’s programmes |
| Funding | Full tuition + SEK 12,000/month living allowance + one-time travel grant |
| Eligible citizenship | 34 listed countries |
| University application | 16 October 2026 – 15 January 2027 via University Admissions |
| Scholarship portal | 8 – 24 February 2027 (closes 14:59 CET on final day) |
| Results | Admissions 1 April 2027; scholarship announcement 22 April 2027 |
Who is allowed to apply
You must be a citizen of one of these 34 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 or Zambia. You need not live in that country when you apply, but submit only one application if you hold two eligible citizenships.
The work experience rule depends on your country. Most applicants need at least 3,000 hours before February 2027, from no more than three employers. Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine must only prove work experience, with no hour minimum. Jobs, freelancing and entrepreneurship all count, and certification uses the Swedish Institute’s template forms, published on 13 November.
Leadership experience is a separate hard requirement with no minimum hours. Show that you have led colleagues, influenced your organisation’s direction, or taken part in decision-making, through your job, your own business, or civil society involvement.
You are not eligible if you hold Swedish or EU/EEA citizenship, are enrolled in or already hold a degree from a Swedish university, have lived in Sweden for two years or more before August 2027, or previously received an SI scholarship. Two exceptions: Ukrainian applicants under the Temporary Protection Directive remain eligible, and Moldovan applicants with Romanian dual citizenship may apply on their Moldovan citizenship.
Which programmes qualify
Only English-taught master’s programmes in Governance, Public Health, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or STEM qualify. The official eligible-programme list for the 2027/2028 academic year is published on 13 November. The scholarship can only be awarded for the programme you are admitted to on the first admissions day, so reserve-list placements do not count.
The dates you cannot miss
Two separate processes both matter. First, apply to Swedish master’s programmes through University Admissions between 16 October 2026 and 15 January 2027, pay the application fee on time, and make sure you are liable to pay tuition fees. Second, the SI scholarship portal opens 8 to 24 February 2027, closing at 14:59 CET on the final day. Documents and the eligible-programme list appear on 13 November, admissions results on 1 April 2027, and the scholarship announcement on 22 April 2027.
A quick self-check before you apply
Apply with confidence if your citizenship is listed, your programme sits in one of the four fields, and you can document solid work and genuine leadership experience. Do not apply if your citizenship is not listed, you hold a Swedish degree, you have lived in Sweden for two years or more, or you cannot show leadership experience.
How to apply
Submit your master’s applications through University Admissions between 16 October 2026 and 15 January 2027, pay the application fee on time, then complete the online SI application between 8 and 24 February 2027, after the documents are published on 13 November. The heart of your application is the motivation section: connect your chosen programme to the sustainable development of your home country or region. If you are employed, arrange a leave of absence with your employer early, since studies begin in August 2027.
How to make your application stronger
Make the sustainability motivation concrete: name a sector and a real gap in your country, then show how the programme’s content helps you address it. Generic statements about helping people read as filler to experienced evaluators.
Chase the paperwork early. Contact your employers well before February so the template forms are signed without panic, and keep your own record of hours per employer. For leadership, show decisions you made rather than titles you held.
Looking beyond Sweden
If Sweden is not the right fit, other funded routes exist. The Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship supports outstanding international master’s students at TU Delft. For doctoral funding in the UK, the SEDarc ESRC PhD Studentships cover social science research training. And the University of Dundee Global Excellence Scholarship reduces tuition fees for international postgraduates.
Questions applicants ask
Q: Can I apply if I am not currently employed?
A: Yes. You do not have to be employed at the time of application, as long as you can certify the required work experience.
Q: Does the scholarship cover family members?
A: No. The official page states clearly that no additional grants are provided for family members.
Q: What if I am on the reserve list for my programme?
A: Reserve-list placements cannot be considered. You must be admitted on the first admissions day.
