SI Scholarship for Global Professionals 2027 (Fully Funded)
The Swedish Institute has a lofty goal: to create a network of potential leaders who can help develop their countries by providing them scholarships to pursue education in Sweden. Such an ambition led to the establishment of the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals, which provides financial and academic support to students from 33 countries who are pursuing master’s studies in Sweden.
Specifically, this scholarship program covers the following for its recipients: tuition fees, monthly stipend, insurance, travel grant, and membership into valuable networks. Qualifications are quite stringent, though, as the applicant must have leadership attributes and work experience and they must apply for a program that will help develop their nation.
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals Coverage
This government fully funded scholarship for international students covers the following:
-
100% tuition fees
-
SEK 12,000 monthly stipend
-
Illness and accident insurance coverage
-
One-time travel grant worth SEK 10,000 or SEK 15,000
-
SI Network for Future Global Professionals membership during studies
-
SI Alumni Network membership after studies
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for SI Scholarship for Global Professionals, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Applicant of a master's program that is covered by the scholarship program
- Required to pay tuition fees at their Swedish university
- Having leadership background and civil society engagement
- Able to meet work experience requirements set for their home country
- NOT currently enrolled in a Swedish institution
- NOT having a degree from a Swedish institution
- NOT residents of Sweden for a total of two years
- NOT previous recipients of a Swedish Institute scholarship
- NOT having dual citizenship from specific countries (view list on scholarship page)
- NOT having permanent residence, temporary work, or residence permit based on work or family ties
For detailed requirements, refer to the official eligibility page .
Eligible degree levels
Eligible programmes
Eligible nationalities
Important Notice
Disclaimer
Important Note: The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is granted only to students from certain countries who applied to specific programs of specified Swedish universities. Thus, if you want to become a recipient of this offer, make sure you apply to an eligible program.
The scholarship also does not provide additional support for accompanying family or application fees. Recipients are also expected not to change programs or request extensions to the offer. Otherwise, the support may be terminated.
How to Apply
In this section, we'll provide a clear general overview of requirements and steps to guide you through the application process for SI Scholarship for Global Professionals.
To apply for SI Scholarship for Global Professionals, please follow these steps:
-
Make sure you a citizen of an eligible nation.
-
Apply for admission to an eligible program at a participating Swedish university.
-
Request reference letters from people who can vouch for your work, leadership, and/or civil engagements.
-
Write your essay about your motivations for applying for this offer.
-
Compile other documents required by the Swedish Institute.
-
Upload the requirements through the application portal.
-
Wait for results or notification.
Important Note: The application procedures and required documents for SI Scholarship for Global Professionals may vary depending on your degree, program, nationality and other factors. For specific details regarding the requirements, kindly visit the official website of SI Scholarship for Global Professionals.
Application Deadlines
Now that you’re familiar with the application procedure, it’s time to know the application dates! Knowing the dates for SI Scholarship for Global Professionals will help you prepare early and it will also give you the time you need to put together a competitive application.
Here are the application deadlines for SI Scholarship for Global Professionals:
| Degree | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| Master's Apply for University Admissions | Opens: |
| Master's SI Scholarships | Opens: |
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals Eligible Institutions
The eligible institutions for SI Scholarship for Global Professionals are listed below:
K
S
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals Recipients
Meet students who have received SI Scholarship for Global Professionals and learn how they secured their award.
Scholarship Recipients and Their Study Backgrounds
These 16 published recipient stories describe master’s study supported by SI Scholarship for Global Professionals.
| Nationalities | Stories per nationality |
|---|---|
| Azerbaijani, Bangladeshi | 3 each |
| Malawian | 2 |
| Bolivian, Brazilian, Ethiopian, Gambian, Georgian, Peruvian, Turkish, Ugandan | 1 each |
| Degree level | Stories | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | 16 | Business Administration, Auditing and Control; Civil and Architectural Engineering; Cognitive Neuroscience: Mind and Brain; Computer Science: Applied Data Science; Constitutional Law and Human Rights; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; European Business Law; Global Studies, Sustainability major; International Development and Management (LUMID); Leadership and Organisation: Societal Challenges and Organisational Change; Leadership for Sustainability; Political Science: Global Politics and Societal Change; Real Estate and Construction Management; Sociology of Law; Sustainable Urban Design |
Funding Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported coverage |
|---|---|
| Marco Alonso — Master’s in Sociology of Law at Lund University | SEK 250,000 tuition coverage, SEK 12,000 per month, a one-time SEK 15,000 travel grant and Insurance for Foreign Visitors. |
| Aydan Mammadova — Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience: Mind and Brain at University of Skövde | Full tuition, SEK 12,000 per month and a SEK 10,000 travel grant. |
| Kenneth Mundu — Master’s in Political Science: Global Politics and Societal Change at Malmö University | Reported a monthly stipend of SEK 11,000. |
| Hatice (2021–2022) — Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Lund University | Full tuition, a monthly living allowance and one-time travel grant; described the total scholarship value during her studies as more than EUR 20,000. |
| Ulviyya Asgarzade (scholarship support: 15 August 2023–15 June 2025) — Master’s in Leadership and Organisation: Societal Challenges and Organisational Change at Malmö University | Approximately SEK 457,000 in total, including full tuition, a monthly living allowance and a one-time travel grant. |
Examples of Featured Recipients’ Application Backgrounds
| Recipient and degree/program | Scholarship/application route | Reported background and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Ariful Amin — Master’s in Computer Science: Applied Data Science at Malmö University | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Computer Science and Engineering bachelor’s from the University of Dhaka. Totalled his work hours by role, obtained managers’ signatures on the required templates and tied his essays to measurable development outcomes. |
| Mohammad Al-Amin — Master’s in Civil and Architectural Engineering at KTH Royal Institute of Technology | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Civil Engineering bachelor’s with honours, a published research article after graduation and nearly five years working as a Structural and BIM Engineer. |
| Nino — Master’s in International Development and Management (LUMID) at Lund University | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Economics and Finance bachelor’s, followed by an MBA with a thesis on farmers’ cooperation and agricultural supply chains; nearly a decade working with NGOs, rural communities, youth, women and farmers. |
| Khadiza Binte Ahsan — Master’s in International Development and Management (LUMID) at Lund University | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Peace and Conflict Studies bachelor’s, humanitarian and development work, and leadership through WeMen View, a youth-led gender advocacy platform she founded. Contacted supervisors and HR early for reference forms. |
| Ulviyya Asgarzade (scholarship support: 15 August 2023–15 June 2025) — Master’s in Leadership and Organisation: Societal Challenges and Organisational Change at Malmö University | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Safety Engineering bachelor’s, GPA 88.52, followed by six years of international-project experience, including a year volunteering in Sweden and Erasmus+ projects. Used this experience to explain her transition into leadership and organisation. |
How Recipients Met Language Requirements
| Language requirement route | Stories / total funded degree-study stories | Recipients and examples |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 8/16 | 7.5 (Hatice); IELTS taken for the application (Aydan Mammadova, Matheus Simon, and 5 others). |
| TOEFL | 2/16 | TOEFL taken for the application (Katherine, Marco Alonso). |
| English-medium education accepted | 2/16 | English-medium education accepted for the recipient’s application (Kenneth Mundu, Tarikawit Fikadu). |
| Tests not required for the scholarship application | 2/16 | English tests not required for the recipient’s SI scholarship application (Amos Prince Kastigu, Lamin Saidy). |
Application Timelines Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Application or scholarship route | Reported application timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Marco Alonso — Master’s in Sociology of Law at Lund University | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Downloaded the scholarship templates in November, including the CV, work and leadership proof and reference forms, ahead of the February application window he described. |
| Ariful Amin — Master’s in Computer Science: Applied Data Science at Malmö University | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Prepared work-hour records and signed verification forms early; submitted the master’s application first, then created the separate SI scholarship application. |
| Ulviyya Asgarzade (scholarship support: 15 August 2023–15 June 2025) — Master’s in Leadership and Organisation: Societal Challenges and Organisational Change at Malmö University | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Received university admissions but no SI award on her first two attempts. Revised her materials each time and secured both admission and the scholarship on her third attempt. |
| Matheus Simon — Master’s in Sustainable Urban Design at Lund University | SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Began researching study-abroad options in 2018, narrowed his choices and improved his applications across three attempts; received both Lund admission and the SI scholarship on his third application. |
Teaching Languages Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported teaching language |
|---|---|
| Marco Alonso — Master’s in Sociology of Law at Lund University | All Sociology of Law classes and reading materials in English. |
| Khadiza Binte Ahsan — Master’s in International Development and Management (LUMID) at Lund University | All LUMID classes conducted in English. |
| Katherine — Master’s in Global Studies, Sustainability major at Jönköping University | All Global Studies classes in English. |
| Ulviyya Asgarzade (scholarship support: 15 August 2023–15 June 2025) — Master’s in Leadership and Organisation: Societal Challenges and Organisational Change at Malmö University | Classes, teaching materials, discussions and assignments entirely in English. |
| Amos Prince Kastigu — Master’s in Real Estate and Construction Management at KTH Royal Institute of Technology | All Real Estate and Construction Management classes conducted in English. |
What Recipients Pursued After Their Scholarship-Funded Studies
| Recipient | Scholarship-funded degree/program | Reported outcome or current status |
|---|---|---|
| Khadiza Binte Ahsan | Master’s in International Development and Management (LUMID) at Lund University | Current role: Fundraising Officer at an international NGO in Sweden, supporting partnerships and resource mobilisation for humanitarian and development programmes. |
| Rudo Chikondi Mello-Kapezi | Master’s in Leadership for Sustainability at Malmö University | Current role: works with the CGIAR System Organization, supporting global research-for-development programmes and programme/project management. |
| Hatice (2021–2022) | Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Lund University | Ongoing study: continuing at Lund University as a PhD candidate in Strategic Management. |
| Amos Prince Kastigu | Master’s in Real Estate and Construction Management at KTH Royal Institute of Technology | Current roles: returned to Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences as a full-time lecturer in Real Estate and Quantity Surveying; also a real-estate consultant with Proland Property Consultants. |
| Tarikawit Fikadu | Master’s in Constitutional Law and Human Rights at Umeå University | Current role: returned to Ethiopia and joined a local human-rights civil society organisation, where the recipient reports serving as “A. Executive Director”, with leadership and programme-coordination responsibilities. |
| Matheus Simon | Master’s in Sustainable Urban Design at Lund University | After graduation, joined Ramboll in Sweden as an Urban Design and Planning Trainee. Later returned to Brazil and became Partner and Architect at Koren Arquitetos, leading BIM and Autodesk Revit implementation. |
| Lamin Saidy (2022–2023) | Master’s in Business Administration, Auditing and Control at Kristianstad University | Current role: returned to The Gambia and became Head of Internal Audit at Reliance Financial Services, working on governance, risk management, controls and accountability. |
Other Offers in Featured Applicants’ Journeys
| Recipient | Reported alternative | Decision described in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Marco Alonso — Master’s in Sociology of Law at Lund University | Lund University Global Scholarship award of SEK 225,000, approximately 90% of his programme tuition. | Describes the comprehensive SI package supporting his current Sociology of Law studies. |
| Rudo Chikondi Mello-Kapezi — Master’s in Leadership for Sustainability at Malmö University | Master Mind Scholarship offer for a master’s at KU Leuven. | Completed the SI-funded Leadership for Sustainability master’s at Malmö University. |
| Mohammad Al-Amin — Master’s in Civil and Architectural Engineering at KTH Royal Institute of Technology | Academic Excellence Award from Western Michigan University for Fall 2024, covering tuition fees. | Explicitly chose SI and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, citing its comprehensive support, academic reputation and professional opportunities. |
What SI Scholarship for Global Professionals Scholars Say
Advice and reflections from scholars about the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals application process and programme.
"Being on a full scholarship made life comfortable because the stipend covered all my expenses, so I didn’t need a side job."
"The scholarship covers full tuition, travel expenses, and a monthly living stipend, which makes it possible to fully focus on studies and integration."
"I would advise applicants to carefully research the scholarship requirements and understand exactly what the program expects."
"For applicants to the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals, I strongly recommend beginning the document preparation well in advance."
"People in Sweden are very open and speak excellent English, which makes daily life much easier."
"When exploring graduate programs, I focused on finding one that combined scholarly excellence with societal impact. Lund University stood out immediately."
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about SI Scholarship for Global Professionals, eligibility, funding, and applications.
Yes. The award covers 100% tuition fees, a monthly stipend, insurance, a one-time travel grant, and access to SI networks. According to Katherine, an SI scholar at Jönköping University, “The scholarship covers full tuition, travel expenses, and a monthly living stipend.” Hatice Has, who studied at Lund University, also explained that it “covers the full tuition fee, a monthly allowance for living expenses, and a one-time travel grant.”
Yes. Applicants first need admission to an eligible master’s program at a participating Swedish university, then they complete the scholarship application separately. As Hatice Has explained, eligibility “requires prior acceptance into one of the eligible master’s programmes in Sweden.”
Leadership, work experience, and social impact matter a lot. The general scholarship overview emphasizes leadership background, civil society engagement, and work experience, and recipient stories reinforce that point. Hatice Has said, “GPA was not a primary evaluation criterion.” Likewise, Kenneth Mundu shared that he focused on “the 3,000 hours of work experience, which also includes voluntary service.”
The scholarship overview says applicants generally prepare an SI-format CV, evidence of work and leadership experience, two reference letters, a passport or national ID copy, and a motivation essay. Recipient advice is consistent: start early. Marco Alonso recommends “beginning the document preparation well in advance.” Aydan Mammadova also advises applicants to “carefully research the scholarship requirements.”
In recipient stories from Malmö University and Lund University, the programs were taught in English. Rudo Chikondi Mello-Kapezi said, “My Master’s programme was taught entirely in English.” Nino similarly shared that “All classes are conducted in English,” and added that people in Sweden “speak excellent English,” which made daily life easier.
Recipients describe Sweden as supportive and manageable for international students, especially when the scholarship removes the financial pressure. According to Rudo Chikondi Mello-Kapezi, “Being on a full scholarship made life comfortable because the stipend covered all my expenses.” She also said that support for international students was “exceptional.”
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
Leave A Comment