Swedish Institute Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027/28 in Sweden (Fully Funded)
The Swedish Institute offers fully funded master’s scholarships to women from ten countries in Africa and Asia who want to study a STEM subject in Sweden. It covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000 and a travel grant. Recipients also join a global professional network.
Last updated: Nov 2, 2026Source: Swedish Institute (SI) ↗
Overview
Women are still underrepresented in science and engineering in much of the world, even though they bring ideas that societies badly need. The Swedish Institute (SI) created the Pioneering Women in STEM scholarship to help change that. It funds women from Africa and Asia to complete a master’s degree in Sweden and return as leaders in their fields.
Sweden’s view is simple: diversity drives innovation. If you’re a woman working in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and you already have some leadership experience, this is one of the most generous scholarships currently open.
About the Scholarship
The scholarship supports full-time, one- or two-year master’s programmes taught in English at Swedish universities in STEM fields. It’s aimed at women who want to lead innovation, take on complex challenges and help build more inclusive and sustainable societies back home.
You don’t choose any programme you like. SI publishes a list of eligible master’s programmes each year, and you have to apply to programmes on that list. The list for the 2027/28 academic year is expected on 13 November 2026.
Why This Scholarship Stands Out
It doesn't stop at paying tuition. You get enough to live on in Sweden, your flight is covered, and you join a network of professionals from around the world who keep in touch long after graduation. The focus on leadership and sustainable development also means you're selected for what you plan to do back home, not just your grades.
Eligibility
• Be a female citizen of one of the ten eligible countries • You must be a female citizen of one of these countries: • Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam • You don't have to live in your country of citizenship to apply. • Apply to a STEM master's programme on SI's eligible list and be required to pay tuition fees • Be admitted (or conditionally admitted) to that programme on the University Admissions announcement day. Reserve-list places and late admissions don't count. • Have demonstrated work experience. In the last cycle, SI asked for at least 3,000 hours from no more than three employers. Full-time, part-time, freelance and self-employed work all counted, with experience in your own field given priority. • Have demonstrated leadership experience through your job, your own business or civil society work. Strong leadership in a professional role is prioritised. • Be able to explain how your programme will support sustainable development in your home country and region • Not already hold a degree from, or be enrolled at, a Swedish university • Not have received an SI scholarship before (past participants of the SI Summer Academy, SI Swedish summer courses or SISU can still apply) • Not be a Swedish or EU/EEA citizen, or hold Swedish permanent residence If you hold dual citizenship, you can apply with only one eligible citizenship, and more than one application will lead to disqualification.
Benefits / Funding
• Full tuition fees, paid by SI directly to your university each semester • A monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000 • A one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000 (not for those already living in Sweden) • Membership of the SI Network for Global Professionals during your studies • Membership of the Sweden Alumni Network after you finish
Not covered: insurance (check with your university), allowances for family members, and the University Admissions application fee. The scholarship also can't be extended, and you can't switch programmes.
Required Documents
You'll prepare two sets of documents, one for your university application and one for the scholarship. For University Admissions (by 15 January 2027): • Bachelor's degree certificate and academic transcripts • Proof of English proficiency • Passport copy • Any extra documents your chosen programme asks for, such as a statement of purpose or recommendation letters • Proof of payment of the University Admissions application fee For the SI scholarship application (8 – 24 February 2027): • Your University Admissions application number (the 8-digit number you receive after applying) • CV on SI's official template (maximum three pages) • Work experience certificate(s) on SI's template, signed by your employer(s) • Leadership experience certificate on SI's template • Two reference letters on SI's template, signed and officially stamped • Copy of your valid passport or national ID showing your name, citizenship and photo • Motivation answers, written directly in the scholarship portal SI's templates are released with the application documents on 13 November 2026. Only documents on these templates are accepted, so download them as soon as they're out and give your employers and referees plenty of time to sign.
How to Apply
- Apply to your master's programme. Go to UniversityAdmissions.se and apply to one or more eligible STEM programmes by 15 January 2027. Upload all the academic documents your university asks for. You'll receive an 8-digit application number. Save it, because you'll need it for the scholarship.
- Apply for the scholarship. Between 8 and 24 February 2027, submit your scholarship application through SI's portal. Enter your application number carefully, because a wrong number gets your application disqualified. Then upload your CV, certificates, reference letters and ID, and answer the motivation questions. If you're employed, talk to your employer about study leave before you apply. SI won't take part in those discussions.
Important Dates
• 16 October 2026 – 15 January 2027: Apply to master's programmes through University Admissions • 13 November 2026: Eligible programme list and scholarship application documents published • 8 – 24 February 2027: SI scholarship application portal open (closes 14:59 CET) • 1 April 2027: University admission results • 22 April 2027: Scholarship results announced
FAQs
What is the Pioneering Women in STEM scholarship?
It's a fully funded Swedish Institute scholarship for women from ten countries in Africa and Asia to complete a master's degree in a STEM field at a Swedish university.
Which countries are eligible?
Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. Women from other countries can't apply to this scholarship.
Do I need to live in my home country to apply?
No. You must be a citizen of an eligible country, but you can live elsewhere.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers full tuition, a monthly allowance of SEK 12,000 and a one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000. Insurance and family allowances are not included.
Which subjects can I study?
English-taught master's programmes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics that appear on SI's eligible list. The 2027/28 list is published on 13 November 2026.
Do I need work experience?
Yes. You need proven work experience and leadership experience. In the last cycle, SI required at least 3,000 hours of work. Check the updated documents when they're released on 13 November.
Does freelance or self-employed work count?
In the last cycle it did, along with full-time and part-time employment. Work in your own field was prioritised.
What counts as leadership experience?
Leading people, projects or initiatives at work, in your own business, or through civil society and volunteer work. Leadership in a professional role carries the most weight.
What documents do I need for the scholarship?
A CV, work experience certificates, a leadership experience certificate and two reference letters, all on SI's official templates. You'll also need a passport or national ID copy and your University Admissions application number, and you'll answer the motivation questions in the portal.
Can I use my own CV format or recommendation letters?
No. SI only accepts documents on its own templates, which are published on 13 November 2026.
Do I apply to the university and the scholarship separately?
Yes. You apply to your programme through University Admissions by 15 January 2027, then apply for the scholarship through SI's portal between 8 and 24 February 2027.
What if I'm only on the reserve list for my programme?
Then you won't be eligible. You must be admitted or conditionally admitted on the announcement day.
Can I apply if I've had an SI scholarship before?
No. Past SI Summer Academy, Swedish summer course and SISU participants can still apply.
Can I bring my family?
You can, but the scholarship doesn't provide any extra money for family members.
Can I extend my scholarship or switch programmes?
No. The scholarship covers only the programme you were awarded it for, for its normal length.
When will I know if I've been selected?
Scholarship results are announced on 22 April 2027.
Where do I apply?
Programme applications go through UniversityAdmissions.se, and the scholarship application goes through the SI portal linked from the official page.
WorldOpportunitiesHub is an independent information platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Swedish Institute (SI). Always verify details on the official website before applying.
