The Swedish Institute Scholarship Has Two Sequential Steps — Completing One Without the Other Means Disqualification

The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals (SISGP) is one of Europe’s most financially generous government scholarships SEK 12,000 per month in living allowance, full tuition coverage, a SEK 15,000 travel grant, and access to an exclusive professional network. It is also one of the most operationally specific, with a process that eliminates many applicants before evaluation even begins.

The single most important thing to understand before doing anything else:

The application process has two separate steps: first, apply to Swedish master’s programs through University Admissions (UniversityAdmissions.se) by January 15, then apply for the SI Scholarship during a two-week window from February 9 to February 25. If you miss the January 15 deadline for the university application, you cannot apply for the scholarship in February.

Step 1 (University Admissions) must be completed before Step 2 (SI Scholarship) opens. They are sequential, not simultaneous. A student who applies to the SI Scholarship without first applying to a Swedish master’s program through UniversityAdmissions.se will be disqualified.

The second critical operational fact: Official templates provided by SI are mandatory. Do not use free-format documents — templates are mandatory for CV, Proof of Work, and Reference Letters. Applications using non-official templates for these documents will be disqualified.

Download the templates before the February 9 portal opens. Fill them correctly. Use nothing else.

With these two operational facts established: the SISGP offers one of the most competitive monthly living allowances of any scholarship covered in this series.

The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000, and a travel grant of SEK 15,000. Each year, about 300 scholarships go to candidates from 34 eligible countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.

What Is the Swedish Institute Scholarship — Full Overview

The 34 Eligible Countries — Full Confirmed List

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia.

By Region:

🌍 Africa (12 countries) Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

🌏 Asia (8 countries) Bangladesh ✅, Indonesia ✅, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia ✅, Philippines ✅, Thailand ✅, Vietnam ✅

🌍 Middle East (note: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan listed separately in some sources) Egypt, Iraq, Jordan

🌍 Europe / CIS (7 countries) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

🌎 Latin America (7 countries) Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru

Citizenship — NOT Residency:

You must be a citizen of one of the 34 countries. Note: You do not need to currently live there, but you must hold citizenship.

This is significant: a Nigerian professional working in Dubai, a Kenyan living in Canada, or a Bangladeshi based in Malaysia can still apply as long as they hold citizenship of an eligible country. Diaspora professionals are not excluded by residency restrictions.

Who Is NOT Eligible:

Applicants who have a permanent residence permit in Sweden or are already studying in Sweden are ineligible. If you are already in Sweden on a residence permit, this scholarship is not for you.

Pakistan: NOT among the 34 eligible countries for SISGP. Pakistani students should look at DAAD (Germany), Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary), YTB-IsDB (Turkey), Chevening (UK), and GKS Korea for alternative fully funded European/international scholarships.

What SISGP Covers — Full Financial Package

Monthly Living Allowance: SEK 12,000 A monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000 paid throughout the scholarship period (entire duration of the Master’s program). SEK 12,000/month is approximately EUR 1,050 or USD 1,100-1,200 at current rates. This is significantly higher than Stipendium Hungaricum (~EUR 115), ARES Belgium (€1,150 also comparable), and comparable to Chevening (£1,378/month outside London).

Travel Grant: SEK 15,000 A travel grant of SEK 15,000 (SEK 10,000 for scholars from certain European countries). This one-time grant covers your international travel to and from Sweden. European country scholars receive SEK 10,000 (shorter travel distance).

Full Tuition Fee Coverage 100% of your Swedish master’s program tuition fees — paid directly to the university.

Insurance Against Illness Medical coverage while you are a scholarship holder in Sweden.

SI Network for Global Professionals Membership in the exclusive SI Network for Global Professionals. This is a continuing benefit, the SI Network connects scholarship holders and alumni globally, providing networking, career opportunities, and professional development access that continues after graduation.

What SISGP Does NOT Cover:

• Family members (spouses, children)
• Housing — you must find and fund accommodation yourself (from the SEK 12,000 stipend)
• Books and study materials beyond tuition

The Two-Step Application Process — In Detail

STEP 1: Apply to Swedish Master’s Programs (UniversityAdmissions.se) — by January 15

Go to UniversityAdmissions.se and apply for your master’s program. You can apply to up to 4 programs. Pay the application fee (approximately 900 SEK) before the deadline to process your application.

Sub-steps for Step 1:

a) Find eligible programs In mid-November, SI publishes the list of eligible master’s programs for SI scholarships. Not every Swedish master’s program is eligible for the SISGP, you must choose from the SI-approved list. Download this list from si.se when published in November.

b) Apply at UniversityAdmissions.se Create an account at UniversityAdmissions.se. Apply to up to 4 master’s programs (at least one must be SI-eligible).

c) Pay the application fee (~900 SEK) There is an application fee at UniversityAdmissions.se, this is a standard Swedish university admission fee, not an SI-specific fee. Payment is required to process your application.

d) Save your 8-digit Personal Application Number Once you apply, you will get an 8-digit Personal Application Number. Write this down immediately! You will be disqualified if you enter the wrong number during the scholarship phase later.

This is the most commonly missed operational detail. Your Personal Application Number from UniversityAdmissions.se is used to link your university application to your SI Scholarship application in February. The wrong number = automatic disqualification. Save it in multiple places immediately.

Step 1 deadline: January 15 (annually)

STEP 2: Apply for SI Scholarship — February 9-25 (16 days only)

What you submit in Step 2:

a) CV — using SI’s official template ONLY You must use SI’s provided template for CV 2026/2027. The CV should not exceed three pages. Additional pages will not be considered during the evaluation.

Download the SI CV template from si.se. Fill it. Do not exceed 3 pages. Do not use LinkedIn exports, Euro pass, or any other format.

b) Proof of Work and Leadership Experience — using SI’s template You must use SI’s provided template for proof of work and leadership experience.

This document proves your 3,000 hours of work experience and your leadership activities in employment AND in civil society.

c) Two Reference Letters — using SI’s template You are required to submit two letters of reference. One of the letters must be based on work experience. The second letter can be based on work experience or engagements outside of work. It is a merit if the second letter is based on entrepreneurship or your involvement in networks or civil society organizations outside of work. All letters of reference should first be typed, then printed, and lastly signed by the referee and stamped with an official stamp of the organization/company or notary’s office. Scan the letters and upload to the application portal as a single PDF file.

Reference letter process:

1. Download the SI reference letter template
2. Send it to your referee WITH instructions
3. Referee TYPES the letter (using the template)
4. Referee PRINTS the letter
5. Referee SIGNS the letter by hand
6. Referee adds OFFICIAL STAMP (company/organization stamp) — or notary stamp if no official stamp
7. You SCAN both letters and combine into ONE PDF
8. Upload to the SI portal

This process takes time, brief your referees at least 4-6 weeks before the February 9 portal opening.

d) Passport copy Valid passport or national ID card copy.

e) Your 8-digit Personal Application Number from Step 1 Enter it correctly. There is no correction mechanism for wrong numbers.

What Makes a Strong SISGP Application

The Swedish Institute explicitly screens for a specific profile:

1. Substantial Work Experience (3,000+ Hours)

The candidate must have at least 3,000 hours of work experience. This is approximately 18 months of full-time work. Part-time, volunteer, and student employment may count toward the total, document all of it carefully using the SI template.

2. Leadership in Employment

The candidate must have demonstrated leadership experience through employment. This means managing teams, leading projects, holding supervisory roles, founding initiatives within organizations. Line management of 5+ people for 2 years is strong; contributing to a team without responsibility is not.

3. Leadership in Civil Society

The candidate must also show leadership experience in civil society or community activities. NGO leadership, community organization founding, elected positions in professional associations, youth leadership, advocacy — all count. Passive membership does not.

4. Sustainable Development Commitment

The scholarship fund explicitly aligns with Sweden’s development policy, applicants must demonstrate how their master’s studies in Sweden will help them contribute to their home country’s sustainable development after graduation. Vague “wanting to give back” language is insufficient specific, credible, country-relevant plans are what selectors look for.

5. Sweden Relevance

Why Sweden specifically? Why this specific Swedish program? SI is looking for candidates who have thought seriously about what Swedish universities specifically offer Sweden’s strengths in sustainability, environmental science, tech innovation, democratic governance not candidates who could have chosen any European country.

The Critical Timeline for 2027 Cycle

Sweden as a Study Destination

Academic excellence: Sweden’s universities include Stockholm University, Uppsala University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers, Lund University, and many others all internationally ranked, with particular strength in sustainability, environment, technology, and social sciences.

Sweden’s specialties (relevant to SISGP’s development focus):

• Sustainability and environmental science
• Information and communication technology
• Democratic governance and human rights
• Healthcare and life sciences
• Architecture and urban planning
• Business management and entrepreneurship

Living in Sweden: SEK 12,000/month is adequate for Swedish living costs in most cities, Stockholm is the most expensive. Food, transport (with student card), and shared accommodation are manageable on this amount. Sweden has one of the highest quality-of-life indexes in the world.

Language: Master’s programs eligible for SISGP are taught in English. Swedish is not required for your program, though learning basic Swedish enhances daily life.

Safety: Sweden consistently ranks among the world’s safest, most progressive, and most egalitarian societies, a uniquely positive study environment.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Disqualification

Mistake 1: Applying to SI scholarship without completing UniversityAdmissions.se first Step 1 is prerequisite for Step 2. No exceptions.

Mistake 2: Using a non-SI CV template Applications using non-official templates will be disqualified. Download SI templates from si.se. Use nothing else.

Mistake 3: Losing or mistyping the 8-digit Personal Application Number You will be disqualified if you enter the wrong number. Save it immediately after completing Step 1.

Mistake 4: Reference letters without official stamp Letters must be signed AND officially stamped. A letter signed by a professor without a university department stamp is not acceptable. Use notary stamp if organizational stamp is unavailable.

Mistake 5: Applying after February 25 at 14:59 CET The SI portal closes at a specific time not midnight. 14:59 CET = 2:59pm afternoon. Many applicants attempt to submit in the evening and find the portal closed.

Mistake 6: Not checking the eligible programs list Applying to a Swedish master’s program not on the SI eligible list makes the university application useless for scholarship purposes.

Mistake 7: CV exceeding 3 pages The CV should not exceed three pages. Additional pages will not be considered. If your CV is 5 pages, the evaluator reads only 3.

SISGP vs Other European Professional Scholarships

Country-Specific Notes

🇳🇬 Nigeria

Nigeria is among the 34 eligible countries. For Nigerian professionals, SISGP is one of the most prestigious European scholarships available, combining the Swedish brand with a genuinely generous living allowance. Leadership in NGOs, professional associations, technology startups, and civil society are all relevant.

🇧🇩 Bangladesh

Bangladesh is confirmed eligible. Bangladesh’s development challenges in climate, garment industry labor rights, public health, and governance provide SDG-relevant study narratives.

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Indonesia is confirmed eligible. Environmental science (deforestation, carbon markets), tech entrepreneurship, and governance are strong program areas.

🇰🇪 Kenya

Kenya is confirmed. Kenya’s tech ecosystem (Silicon Savannah), governance, environmental management, and entrepreneurship are compelling Swedish study contexts.

🇿🇦 South Africa

South Africa is confirmed. South African professionals in environmental policy, public health, governance, and tech have competitive SISGP profiles.

🇧🇷🇨🇴🇲🇽 Latin America

Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru are all confirmed. Latin American professionals in sustainable development, environmental science, and social policy find Sweden’s academic focus directly relevant.

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Pakistan is NOT among the 34 eligible countries for SISGP. Pakistani students should direct their applications to Chevening, Stipendium Hungaricum, DAAD, GKS Korea, or YTB-IsDB instead.

FAQ

What is the SISGP?

The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) is a fully funded scholarship program from the Swedish Institute targeting working professionals from low- and middle-income countries who want to pursue a full-time master’s degree at a Swedish university.

What is the monthly living allowance?

SEK 12,000 per month — approximately EUR 1,050 or USD 1,100-1,200 at current rates.

What are the two application deadlines?

Apply to Swedish master’s programs at UniversityAdmissions.se by January 15, then apply at the SI Scholarship portal from February 9 to February 25.

Is Pakistan eligible?

No, Pakistan is not among the 34 eligible countries. Verify the current list at si.se annually.

What are the work experience requirements?

The candidate must have at least 3,000 hours of work experience and must have demonstrated leadership experience both through employment and in civil society or community activities.

Are SI templates really mandatory?

Yes, you must use official SI templates for CV, Proof of Work, and Reference Letters. Applications using non-official templates will be disqualified.

Do reference letters need an official stamp?

Yes, letters should be signed by the referee and stamped with an official stamp of the organization/company or notary’s office.

What is the 8-digit Personal Application Number?

When you apply at UniversityAdmissions.se you receive an 8-digit Personal Application Number. Write this down immediately, you will be disqualified if you enter the wrong number during the scholarship phase.

Free Application Tools

• Motivation Letter: Motivation Letter Generator
• SOP / Study Plan: SOP Generator
• CV: Free CV Builder
• Reference Letter: Reference Letter Generator
• MOI Certificate (if needed): MOI Generator
• Research Proposal (PhD): Research Proposal Generator