Deadline: January 20, 2016
The scholarship application period is now open for the Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (SISS). SISS is the Swedish government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. 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. It is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and administered by the Swedish Institute (SI).
The Scholarships are awarded to students from selected countries for full-time master’s level studies in Sweden starting in the autumn semester 2016. The scholarships cover both living costs and tuition fees. An estimated 300 scholarships will be available.
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, and help develop, the SI Network for Future Global Leaders (NFGL) – a network which offers exclusive opportunities for SI scholarship holders during their stay in Sweden. When the scholarship holders return to their home countries they become part of the SI Sweden Alumni Network.
Eligibility Courses
- A list of eligible master programmes for the academic year 2016/2017 is available here.
Eligibility
- Ideal candidates are ambitious young professionals with outstanding academic qualifications
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate their previous leadership experience through certificates or assessments in the second step.
- Applicants must have a a clear idea of how a study programme in Sweden would benefit their country.
- Applicants must have at least two years’ work experience (equal to 2,800 hours). This could be full-time or part-time employment, voluntary work, paid or unpaid internships and position of trust.
- Priority will be given to applicants choosing study programmes with an emphasis on gender equality, sustainable development, democracy, human rights or poverty reduction.
- To be considered for a scholarship, you must first both complete your separate application to the master’s programme(s) before the university deadline of 15 January 2016, and pay your university admissions application fee (SEK 900) before 1 February 2016.
- For further details on eligibility criteria, visit this link.
Eligible Countries
The programme is open to three different categories of countries. Approximately 100 scholarships within each category will be available.
- Category 1: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina-Faso, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Category 2: Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Syria.
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Category 3: Candidates with citizenships from countries on the DAC list of ODA recipients other than the above, or ODA countries included in other SI scholarship programmes, can apply within this category.
Please Note: Citizens of Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine cannot apply within this programme, but are instead eligible within other SI scholarship programmes.
Regardless of country, you are not eligible for the SI Study Scholarships if you:
- have already lived in Sweden for cumulatively two years or more prior to the scholarship period (August 2016).
- have a Swedish or EU/EEA citizenship, permanent residence permit or work permit in Sweden (not applicable for students from Syria).
- have previously been awarded a Swedish Institute scholarship for master’s level studies or research at a Swedish university/university college.
- already hold a degree from a Swedish university/university college.
- are currently enrolled in a study programme at a Swedish university/university college.
Application Procedure
Steps to complete your Swedish Institute scholarship application
- First step: To be considered for a scholarship you must do the following:
- Complete your separate University application to the master’s programme(s) before 15 January 2016 on universityadmissions.se. You must also pay your university admissions application fee before the fee deadline 1 February 2016.
- Once you have submitted your application to the master’s programme(s), you will be assigned a personal application number consisting of seven digits. You must use this application number when applying for a Swedish Institute scholarship.
- From December 1, 2015 – 20 January 2016: First step of the scholarship application. Apply for a Swedish Institute Study Scholarship through the online application service.
- No documents will be required. Successful candidates from the first step will be notified via email in early February 2016.
- Complete your separate University application to the master’s programme(s) before 15 January 2016 on universityadmissions.se. You must also pay your university admissions application fee before the fee deadline 1 February 2016.
- Second step February 8–13, 2016: For the second step of the scholarship application, you will be required to submit a Motivation letter, a Europass format CV, a passport copy, and two recommendation letters. The documents must be in English. If any mandatory document is not used or completed in English the application is deemed ineligible.
Key dates
- 1 December 2015–15 January 2016: University application and payment of application fee on universityadmissions.se.
- 1 December 2015 – 20 January 2016: First step of the scholarship application. Apply for a Swedish Institute Study Scholarship through the online application service.
- 1 February 2016: Deadline for supporting documents and payment of application fee for master’s programmes to university admissions. For detailed information see universityadmissions.se.
- Early February 2016: Candidates from the first step of the scholarship application will be notified via email.
- 8–13 February 2016: Second step of the scholarship application. Apply for a Swedish Institute Study Scholarship through the online application service.
- 29 March 2016: Notifications of the first selection round for university admission are published on universityadmissions.se.
- 12 April 2016: A list of successful candidates for the Swedish Institute scholarships is published at si.se.
- 14 April 2016: Deadline for accepting your study place on universityadmissions.se.
- April 2016: The Swedish Institute formal scholarship offer to successful candidates is sent by email.
For more information, visit Swedish Institute Study Scholarships.
