Deadline: October 26, 2026
Applications are open for the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship for Afghan Women 2027-2028. The postgraduate scholarship in memory of Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada has been established to help talented Afghan women with a university degree to improve their knowledge in international relations and development. Successful applicants will enrol in a two-year master programme from the Geneva Graduate Institute.
Given the present situation in Afghanistan, with strong restrictions to women’s higher education, the master
programmes at the Geneva Graduate Institute aim to broaden the reach of Afghan women’s university
education abroad, giving them a competitive advantage in the global community. A master could provide
access to an academic and diplomatic career, a job in international and non-governmental organisations, or
in international corporate companies.
Scholarship
- The Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship is a two-year scholarship. The scholarship beneficiary must prepare a report at the end of their first year of studies with proof of their success. Based on this, the scholarship will be renewed. The annual amount of the scholarship is 25,000 Swiss francs.
Eligibility
- Open exclusively to Afghan women.
- An English proficiency certificate and two academic references are requested at this stage to apply.
Application
Applicants should include the following documents:
- A motivation letter with the following information: the reason they are applying for the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada scholarship, which Geneva Graduate Institute master programme they would like to apply to and why they chose the Institute, their financial needs, and what their post-graduation plans are.
- A curriculum vitae.
- Copy of university diplomas and qualifications obtained.
- Official academic transcripts showing all coursework, accompanied by grades and their value (credits).
For more information, visit Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship.
