About this opportunity
Sweden keeps saying that diversity drives innovation, and the Swedish Institute has turned that into money. The Pioneering Women in STEM scholarship pays full tuition for a one or two year English-taught master’s degree at a Swedish university, adds SEK 12,000 every month for living costs, and sends you off with a one-time SEK 15,000 travel grant.
The catch most people miss is the order of operations. The scholarship portal only opens for two weeks, from 8 to 24 February 2027. Before that door opens you must already have applied to an eligible Swedish master’s programme through University Admissions, and that window closes on 15 January 2027. If you wait for the scholarship news, you will have missed the step that makes you eligible.
The list of eligible master’s programmes and the application documents are published on the Swedish Institute page on 13 November 2026. Admission decisions come out on 1 April 2027 and scholarship recipients are announced on 22 April 2027.
This is open to female citizens of ten countries in Africa and Asia, and Nigeria is one of them. You need 3,000 hours of documented work experience before February 2027, which you can build across part-time work, freelancing, your own business or civil society roles, from no more than three employers. You also need to show leadership somewhere in that history. Awarded scholars join the SI Network for Global Professionals and later the Sweden Alumni Network, which is the part that keeps paying long after the degree.
What you receive
- Full tuition fee coverage, paid directly by SI to your Swedish university each semester
- A monthly allowance of SEK 12,000 for living expenses across the whole study period
- A one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000, not payable if you already live in Sweden
- Membership of the SI Network for Global Professionals for career development and peer connection
- Membership of the Sweden Alumni Network after the scholarship period ends
Who can apply
- You are a female citizen of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam
- You apply to a STEM-related master’s programme that is eligible for this scholarship
- You are liable to pay tuition fees at University Admissions
- You have at least 3,000 hours of documented work experience accumulated before February 2027, from no more than three employers
- You have demonstrated leadership experience from a current or previous employer, from entrepreneurship or from civil society engagement
- You have not previously received an SI scholarship for studies and do not hold a Swedish degree
Who should not apply
- You have already received an SI scholarship for studies
- You already hold a Swedish degree
- Your country of citizenship is not one of the ten listed countries
- The master’s programme you choose is not on the eligible programme list
Documents to prepare
- Proof of citizenship
- Work experience certificate using the SI template, covering your 3,000 hours
- Evidence of leadership experience from an employer, your own business or civil society work
- University Admissions application details for an eligible master’s programme
- Academic transcripts and certificates required by University Admissions
How to apply
- Between 16 October 2026 and 15 January 2027, apply to an eligible Swedish master’s programme at University Admissions, https://www.universityadmissions.se/intl/start. This step is mandatory and it closes first.
- On 13 November 2026 the eligible master’s programmes and the SI application documents are published on the scholarship page, https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/pioneeringwomeninstem/.
- Between 8 and 24 February 2027, submit your SI scholarship application through the SI application portal linked from that page. The portal closes at 14:59 CET on 24 February 2027.
- SI screens and evaluates applications between 25 February and 31 March 2027.
- University Admissions announces admission decisions on 1 April 2027.
- SI announces scholarship recipients on 22 April 2027.
Selection process
- SI screening and evaluation runs from 25 February to 31 March 2027
- University Admissions notifications are issued on 1 April 2027
- Final evaluation and announcement of scholarship recipients runs from 1 April to 22 April 2027
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Can I apply for the SI scholarship before I apply to a Swedish university?
No. You must apply to an eligible master’s programme through University Admissions between 16 October 2026 and 15 January 2027, and you must be admitted to one of the eligible programmes on the day admission announcements are made.
Do I need to live in my country of citizenship?
No. You must be a citizen of one of the ten eligible countries, but you do not need to reside there when you apply.
Does the scholarship cover the University Admissions application fee?
No. The scholarship does not cover the University Admissions application fee, and it does not include insurance or grants for family members.
When does the SI portal open?
The SI scholarship application portal is open for two weeks, from 8 to 24 February 2027, and it closes at 14:59 CET on the final day.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
