Deadline: Ongoing
Applications are open for the Women 4 Water – Swarovski Foundation Scholarships 2026/2027. The Swarovski Foundation, through the Women 4 Water initiative, offers three full scholarships for female applicants who have been academically admitted to the regular one-year MSc programme in Water and Sustainable Development starting in November 2026.
The MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development targets early and mid-career water professionals with a recognized BSc degree who want to gain knowledge and skills to tackle water challenges while enhancing their career opportunities within the water sector or related organizations.
Eligibility
- The call is for female candidates only, contributing to increased gender equity and leadership in the water sector.
- Eligible applicants are nationals of a low- or lower/higer middle-income country who are currently living and working in such a country, and who commit to returning to a low- or lower/higher middle-income country upon completion of the study programme to apply the knowledge and skills acquired.
- Applicants must have received academic admission to the regular one-year MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development and must have selected the Water Resources and Ecosystem Health track as their preferred track in their application for admission.
- In addition, applicants must have indicated one of the following preferred profiles in their academic application: Environment, or Digital Innovation and Hydroinformatics.
Priority Criteria
Applicants who are interested to integrate technical competencies (data analysis, modelling, and planning) with systems thinking on water, biodiversity, and sustainable development. A strong emphasis is placed on innovation and interdisciplinary approaches.
Priority for applicants whose interest and work are related to:
- Biodiversity and innovation
- Technical skills: GIS, remote sensing, AI, environmental modelling
- Biodiversity focus: Wetlands, aquatic ecosystems, river basin ecology
Possible thesis topics include: Nature-based solutions, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity monitoring, environmental flows, climate adaptation.
Application
All applicants who have received unconditional academic admission to the regular one-year MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development by 12 July 2026 and who meet the eligibility criteria outlined above will be considered in the initial selection round. Note that applications for academic admission received after the official application deadline of 1 July 2026 will not be considered.
A shortlist will then be drawn up of candidates who best meet the priority criteria. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to apply for the scholarship and asked to complete and submit a brief scholarship application form.
For more information, visit Women 4 Water – Swarovski Foundation Scholarships.
