Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (SISS) 

The Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (SISS) are awarded to students from selected countries for full-time master’s level studies in Sweden starting in the autumn semester 2017.

The scholarships cover both living costs and tuition fees. An estimated 335 scholarships will be available.

The scholarship application period opens with a first application step 1 December 2016 – 24:00 GMT 16 January 2017, followed by a detailed second application step for successful candidates from the first step, on 1 – 10 February 2017.

To apply for a SI scholarship, you must first complete your separate application to the master’s programme(s) before the university deadline 16 January 2017. The application process and the selection criteria for the Swedish Institute Study Scholarships are separate from the application process to master’s programmes at University Admissions. Note that you should also look for scholarship opportunities from your Government or from other sources in your country, as well as for opportunities from Swedish universities, since the competition for SI scholarships is very fierce.

Who we are looking for

SISS is the Swedish government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. It is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and administered by the Swedish Institute (SI). The programme offers a unique opportunity for future leaders to develop professionally and academically, to experience Swedish society and culture, and to build a long-lasting relationship with Sweden and with each other.

The goal is to enable the scholarship holders to play an active role in the positive development of the societies in which they live. Ideal candidates are ambitious young professionals with academic qualifications, demonstrated leadership experience and a clear idea of how a study programme in Sweden would benefit their country.

Priority will be given to applicants choosing study programmes with an emphasis on gender equality, sustainable development, democracy, human rights or poverty reduction.

Applicants from South Africa should apply within the Swedish Institute Study Scholarships for South Africa.

Selection and eligibility criteria

Applicants must be from an eligible country and have at least 3,000 hours of experience from full-time/part-time employment, voluntary work, paid/unpaid internship, and/or position of trust. Applicants must display academic qualifications and leadership experience. In addition, applicants should show an ambition to make a difference by working with issues which contribute to a just and sustainable development in their country, in a long term perspective.

Read more about the selection criteria, target countries, and eligible master programmes. Please note that the eligibility criteria for countries within special initiatives are different. Read more under the title “Special initiatives” on the page.

Application procedure and key dates

The application process consists of two steps. The first step will take place 1 December 2016 – 24:00 GMT 16 January 2017 through an online application form. Successful candidates will be notified by the end of January 2017 (preliminary date: 25 January 2017), and asked to submit a detailed application for the second step 1 – 10 February 2017. The two-step application process aims at offering transparency in the selection process.

To be considered for a scholarship, you must first complete your separate application to the master’s programme(s) before the university deadline of 16 January 2017. To be considered for a scholarship in the second step, you must pay your university admissions application fee (SEK 900) to University Admissions before 1 February 2017 (deadline for receipt of the fee). There is no application fee for applying for SI scholarships.

For the second step of the scholarship application you will be required to submit a Motivation letter, a Europass CV, a passport copy, one letter of reference and one proof of work and leadership experience. The documents must be in English. If any mandatory document is not used or completed in English the application is deemed ineligible.

Read more about the application procedure, including guidelines, important dates, document templates and what happens after submitting the application.

Scholarship benefits

The scholarship covers both tuition fees (paid directly to the Swedish university/university college by the Swedish Institute) and living expenses to the amount of SEK 9,000 per month. There are no additional grants for family members.

Travel grants

Scholarship holders from countries on the DAC list of ODA recipients receive a travel grant in connection with their scholarship. The travel grant is a one-time payment of SEK 15,000.

Insurance

Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish State Group Insurance and Personal Insurance against illness and accident during the scholarship period.

Network memberships

All SI scholarship holders become members of the SI Network for Future Global Leaders (NFGL) – a network which offers exclusive opportunities for SI scholarship holders during their stay in Sweden. Together with other talented people from all around the world, the scholarship holders take part in and organise a variety of events, exchange ideas and create networks beneficial both to career and personal development. Scholarship holders are expected to be ambassadors for their country, and to demonstrate leadership skills and cooperation within the NFGL. When the scholarship holders return to their home countries they become part of the SI Alumni Network.

Scholarship period

The scholarship is intended for full-time master’s level studies of one or two years, and is only awarded for programmes starting in the autumn semester. The scholarship covers the whole duration of the master’s programme.

The scholarship period cannot be altered or extended beyond the study programme period, nor can the scholarship be transferred to a study programme other than the awarded one.

For further info please visit: eng.si.se.