Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)

Overview

The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) is a fully funded master's scholarship from the Swedish Institute, an agency under Sweden's Ministry for Foreign Affairs. It is aimed at experienced professionals from a set of mostly developing countries who want to study a one- or two-year master's programme in Sweden and then return home to drive change. The award is built around leadership: the Swedish Institute is looking for people who already have a track record of making things happen at work or in civil society and who plan to keep doing so.

This is one of the most generous scholarships available to international students in Sweden. It covers your full tuition fee, pays a monthly living allowance, gives you a one-time travel grant, and includes insurance against illness and accident. On top of the money, you join the SI Network for Global Professionals, a community of current and former scholarship holders that stays connected long after graduation.

SISGP is competitive and the process runs on a strict timeline that is separate from your university application. You apply to your master's programmes first through the national admissions portal, and only later open a separate scholarship application with the Swedish Institute. Understanding how those two tracks fit together is the difference between a smooth application and a missed deadline.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	Swedish Institute (Svenska institutet), Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Host Country	Sweden
Degree Levels	Master's (one- or two-year programmes)
Value	Full tuition fee paid to the university, SEK 12,000 monthly living allowance, SEK 15,000 one-time travel grant, plus illness and accident insurance
Deadline	Scholarship window typically opens in February (around 9-25 February 2026); you must apply to programmes by mid-January first
Eligible Nationalities	Citizens of around 30 to 35 selected, mostly developing countries (for example Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Vietnam and others)
Official Website	si.se SISGP page

Eligibility Criteria

Academic

You need to be admitted to a master's programme in Sweden that is eligible for the SISGP scholarship. You apply to programmes through universityadmissions.se and must be admitted, as a fee-paying student, by the time the Swedish Institute makes its decisions. Not every programme is covered, so check the eligible programme list before you build your university shortlist.

Nationality

You must be a citizen of one of the eligible countries on the SISGP list. The list is mostly developing countries and changes from year to year, so confirm your country is included for the cycle you are applying to. Citizenship is what counts here, not where you currently live or study.

Language

Swedish master's programmes taught in English require proof of English proficiency, usually IELTS or TOEFL, as part of the universityadmissions.se admission. SISGP itself does not add a separate language test, but you have to meet the language requirements of the programme that admits you.

Age & Other

There is no fixed age limit, but the scholarship is designed for people with real work experience. Most successful applicants have at least 3,000 hours of work experience, gathered from no more than three organisations, and can show demonstrated leadership from a job or civil society engagement. You are not eligible if you already hold a degree from a Swedish university, have lived in Sweden for two years or more before the scholarship period, or have previously received a Swedish Institute scholarship. You also need to be liable to pay tuition, which is what makes non-EU/EEA citizens eligible.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full tuition fee for your master's programme, paid directly to the university so you never handle that money yourself.
• A living allowance of SEK 12,000 per month for the duration of your studies, to help with rent, food and day-to-day costs.
• A one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000 to cover getting to and from Sweden.
• Insurance against illness and accident during your time in Sweden.
• Membership of the SI Network for Global Professionals, a long-term community of scholarship holders and alumni for collaboration and networking.

The allowance is meant to cover one person. It does not include extra money for family members, so plan accordingly if you intend to bring dependants.

How to Apply

1. Choose eligible programmes. Check the SISGP list of eligible master's programmes and pick ones that match your background and goals.
2. Apply for admission. Submit your programme applications through universityadmissions.se by the mid-January deadline and pay the application fee unless you are exempt.
3. Prepare your scholarship documents. Build your CV on the official SISGP template, write your motivation letter, and gather reference letters and proof of work and leadership experience.
4. Open the scholarship application. When the SISGP window opens in February, log in to the Swedish Institute application portal and complete the scholarship application.
5. Submit before the window closes. Upload every required document and submit within the short February window. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
6. Get admitted in time. Make sure you are admitted to an eligible programme by the admission-results date in late March, since you must hold an offer to stay in the running.
7. Wait for the decision. The Swedish Institute announces scholarship results after admissions, usually in spring, and contacts selected candidates directly.

Required Documents

• Motivation letter explaining your goals, leadership and how you will use the degree back home.
• CV completed on the official SISGP template.
• Two letters of reference.
• Proof of work experience, such as employment certificates or contracts.
• Proof of leadership experience from work or civil society.
• A copy of the passport page with your personal details.
• Proof of admission or application to eligible programmes through universityadmissions.se.

Key Dates & Deadlines

Stage	Approximate Timing
Apply to master's programmes (universityadmissions.se)	Mid-January
SISGP scholarship application window	Early to mid February (around 9-25 February 2026)
Admission results	Late March
Scholarship results announced	Spring, after admissions
Studies begin	August

Dates shift slightly each year, so confirm the exact days on the official SISGP page before you start.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Show concrete leadership, with examples of projects you led and the results you achieved.
• Connect your chosen programme to a clear plan for change in your home country.
• Use the official CV template exactly as provided and document your work hours clearly.
• Apply for admission early so you are not scrambling near the mid-January deadline.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Missing the separate scholarship window because you assumed the admission application was enough.
• Applying to a programme that is not on the SISGP eligible list.
• Submitting vague references or proof that does not actually confirm your hours and leadership.
• Leaving the scholarship application to the last day, when portal issues can cost you the chance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) for?

It is for experienced professionals from selected, mostly developing countries who want to study a master's in Sweden and have a demonstrated record of leadership.

How much does the SISGP scholarship pay each month?

The living allowance is SEK 12,000 per month, on top of the full tuition fee that is paid directly to your university.

Does the SISGP scholarship cover travel costs?

Yes. It includes a one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000 to help with getting to and from Sweden.

How much work experience do I need for the SISGP scholarship?

Most successful applicants have at least 3,000 hours of work experience from a maximum of three organisations, along with demonstrated leadership.

Can I apply for the SISGP scholarship before being admitted to a programme?

You apply for admission first through universityadmissions.se, then complete the separate scholarship application. You must be admitted to an eligible programme by the late-March results date to be considered.

Does the SISGP scholarship cover my family's living costs?

No. The allowance is calculated for one person and does not include funds for dependants.

Can I get the SISGP scholarship if I already studied in Sweden?

No. You are not eligible if you hold a degree from a Swedish university, have lived in Sweden for two years or more before the scholarship period, or have previously received a Swedish Institute scholarship.

Which countries are eligible for the SISGP scholarship?

Around 30 to 35 mostly developing countries are on the list, including places like Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria and Vietnam. The list can change each year, so check the official page.

What documents does the SISGP scholarship require?

You typically need a motivation letter, a CV on the official template, two reference letters, proof of work and leadership experience, and a copy of your passport.

How competitive is the SISGP scholarship?

It is highly competitive, with far more applicants than awards each year, so strong leadership evidence and a clear plan for impact matter a great deal.

When do SISGP studies start?

Selected scholarship holders begin their programmes in the autumn semester, usually August.

Where do I submit the SISGP application?

Programme applications go to universityadmissions.se, and the scholarship application is submitted through the Swedish Institute's own application portal during the February window.