The Swedish Institute (SI) Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027 is an international scholarship programme designed to support talented women who want to advance their careers through higher education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The scholarship aims to empower women to become future leaders, drive innovation, and contribute to sustainable development in their home countries and communities. It provides funding for full-time, one-year or two-year Master’s programmes at participating Swedish universities.
Successful applicants receive full tuition fee coverage, a monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000 and a one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000. They also become members of the SI Network for Global Professionals, which offers opportunities for professional development and international networking.
The scholarship is specifically available to female citizens of 10 selected countries in Africa and Asia. Applicants must have relevant professional experience, demonstrate leadership potential, and apply for an eligible STEM-related Master’s programme.
Degree Level
The scholarship supports full-time Master’s degree programmes at Swedish universities.
- Master’s programmes lasting one year.
- Master’s programmes lasting two years.
All selected programmes must be English-taught and included in the official list of eligible STEM programmes for the 2027/2028 academic year.
Available Subjects
The scholarship supports Master’s programmes in the following broad STEM categories:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
Specific programmes may cover computer science, software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, environmental science, chemistry, physics, biomedical engineering, mathematics and other related STEM disciplines.
The Swedish Institute will publish the official list of eligible Master’s programmes on 13 November 2026. Applicants must select a programme from that list.
Benefits
The Swedish Institute Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship provides the following benefits:
- Full tuition fee coverage, paid directly to the Swedish university.
- Monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000 throughout the scholarship period.
- One-time travel grant of SEK 15,000 for eligible recipients. This grant is not available to students already living in Sweden.
- Membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals (NFGP).
- Access to professional development and international networking opportunities.
- Membership in the Sweden Alumni Network after completing the scholarship.
The scholarship covers the main costs of studying and living in Sweden. However, it does not cover the University Admissions application fee, insurance, additional grants for family members, or expenses outside the scholarship’s approved benefits.
Eligible Nationalities
The scholarship is open to female citizens of the following 10 countries:
Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam.
Applicants must hold citizenship in one of these countries. Women from countries not included in this list are not eligible for this particular scholarship.
Important: Pakistani citizens are not eligible for the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027 because Pakistan is not among the 10 eligible countries.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Identify as a woman.
- Be a citizen of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, or Vietnam.
- Apply for an eligible full-time, English-taught STEM Master’s programme at a Swedish university.
- Be liable to pay tuition fees in Sweden.
- Have at least 3,000 hours of documented work experience accumulated before February 2027.
- Have work experience from a maximum of three employers.
- Demonstrate leadership experience through employment, entrepreneurship, or civil society engagement.
- Meet the admission requirements of the selected Master’s programme.
- Not have previously received a Swedish Institute scholarship for studies in Sweden.
- Not already hold a degree from a Swedish university.
- Meet the Swedish Institute’s residence and citizenship restrictions.
Applicants should also review the official SI eligibility rules concerning Swedish residence permits, EU/EEA citizenship and previous residence in Sweden.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the following documents for the Swedish Institute scholarship application:
- Curriculum Vitae: An updated CV using the official SI template, with a maximum length of three pages.
- Proof of Work and Leadership Experience: The official SI form documenting professional experience and leadership activities, properly completed and signed.
- Two Letters of Reference: Two recommendation letters from different referees using the official SI template. At least one should be based on professional experience.
- Passport or National ID: A copy of a valid document showing the applicant’s name, citizenship, and photograph.
- Motivation Statement: A motivation response explaining the applicant’s background, goals, and intended contribution through STEM education.
- University Application Number: The eight-digit personal application number received after applying through UniversityAdmissions.se.
All documents must follow the Swedish Institute’s instructions and be submitted in English. Applicants should use the official templates published for the 2027/2028 application cycle.
How Winners Are Selected
The Swedish Institute uses a competitive selection process to identify women with strong academic potential, professional experience, and leadership abilities.
Applications are assessed based on factors including:
- Relevant professional experience.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Academic background and suitability for the selected Master’s programme.
- Motivation for pursuing STEM education.
- Potential to contribute to innovation and sustainable development.
- Ability to create positive change in the applicant’s home country or region.
Applicants must also be admitted or conditionally admitted to an eligible Master’s programme when the university admission results are announced.
Application Procedure
The application process involves two main stages: applying for a Swedish Master’s programme and submitting the Swedish Institute scholarship application.
Stage 1: Apply for a Master’s Programme
- Visit the official University Admissions website.
- Search for eligible English-taught STEM Master’s programmes in Sweden.
- Select up to four eligible programmes.
- Submit your university application before 15 January 2027.
- Pay the required University Admissions application fee, if applicable.
- Save your eight-digit personal application number.
Stage 2: Apply for the SI Scholarship
- Visit the official Swedish Institute scholarship website.
- Review the eligibility requirements and application instructions.
- Download and complete the required SI document templates.
- Prepare your CV, work and leadership experience documents, two reference letters, and a passport copy.
- Submit your scholarship application through the SI online application portal between 8 and 24 February 2027.
- Enter your correct University Admissions application number.
- Complete the application in English and submit it before the portal closes.
Applicants who meet the requirements and apply to eligible STEM Master’s programmes are considered for the Pioneering Women in STEM scholarship through the SI scholarship application process. Check the official SI instructions for the applicable application route.
Application Timeline
The important dates for the 2027/2028 scholarship cycle are:
- 16 October 2026: University Admissions application period opens.
- 13 November 2026: SI publishes the eligible Master’s programmes and scholarship application documents.
- 15 January 2027: Deadline to apply for Master’s programmes through University Admissions.
- 8 February 2027: SI scholarship application portal opens.
- 24 February 2027: SI scholarship application portal closes at 14:59 CET.
- 1 April 2027: University Admissions results are announced.
- 22 April 2027: Swedish Institute scholarship results are announced.
