Applications are now open for the 2026 Swedish Institute Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship. The Pioneering Women in STEM scholarship supports women who want to lead innovation, tackle complex challenges, and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable societies. The Swedish Institute awards academic scholarships for master’s studies in Sweden to women in Africa and Asia who wants to study in the field of STEM.

The scholarship supports full-time, one- or two-year master’s studies at Swedish universities across a range of English-taught programmes focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

You’ll also become part of the SI Network for Global Professionals, a platform for collaboration, learning, and lifelong connection with fellow leaders from around the world.

Be the seed for your country’s future growth. The journey starts in Sweden.

Requirements

The scholarship is open for applications once every year, for master’s studies beginning in the autumn semester. To apply, you must:

  • Be a female citizen of one of the 10 eligible countries in Africa and Asia.
  • Apply to a STEM-related master’s programme eligible for the Pioneering Women in STEM scholarship.
  • Be liable to pay tuition fees at University Admissions.
  • Have documented work and leadership experience.
  • Not have previously received an SI scholarship for studies or hold a Swedish degree.
  • Read the full call for applications and prepare your documents in advance.

Country of Citizenship

To apply for the scholarship you must be a female citizen of one of the 10 eligible countries listed below.

Female citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for Pioneering Women in STEM:

Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam.

Master’s programmes

The list of eligible English-taught master’s programmes will be published mid-November 2025.

University Admissions

You must follow the steps of University Admissions and be admitted to one of the eligible master’s programmes on the day of admissions announcements.

Previous Experience

You must have demonstrated work experience. In addition, you must have demonstrated leadership experience from your current or previous employer, or from civil society engagement.

Eligible master’s programmes

The scholarship is available for designated master’s programmes in STEM, focusing on one or more core areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

The list of eligible master’s programmes for the academic year 2026/2027 will be published in mid-November 2025.

University Admissions

Admissions to Swedish universities and colleges are managed by the Swedish Council for Higher Education through their portal University Admissions. To be eligible for the SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM you must: 

  • Be liable to pay tuition fees to Swedish universities. Find out if you are liable for tuition fees here.
  • Have paid the application fee for master’s programmes on time. The payment is made to University Admissions. Find all the key dates here.
  • Be admitted (or conditionally admitted) to one of the eligible master’s programmes on the day of admissions announcements. You can only be awarded a scholarship for the master’s programme you are admitted to on admissions day. Master’s programmes to which you are listed as a reserve cannot be considered. There are no scholarships available for late admissions. 

Benefits

The SI scholarship Pioneering women in STEM is a competitive fully-funded scholarship that includes:

  • Full tuition fee coverage. The fee is paid directly by SI to your Swedish university each semester.
  • A monthly allowance of SEK 12,000 to cover your living expenses throughout the study period.
  • A travel grant of SEK 15,000. This is a one-time payment and does not apply for students already living in Sweden.
  • Membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals (NFGP) – a platform to help you grow professionally and build a network while in Sweden.
  • After your scholarship period has ended, you become a member of the Sweden Alumni Network. As a member, you get a unique opportunity for continued networking and professional development.

The scholarship does notâ€Ĥ

  • Include an insurance. We recommend checking with your university to learn more about what insurance coverage they provide for international students.
  • Provide additional grants for family members.
  • Cover the application fee to University Admissions.
  • Allow changes to the study programme. We are only able to support you through the awarded master’s programme.
  • Allow extensions or changes to the awarded scholarship period.

Application Dealine:

  • 15 October 2025 – 15 January 2026: Apply to Swedish master’s programmes through University Admissions. 
  • Mid-November 2025: Pioneering Women in STEM application documents and eligible master’s programmes are published on this page.
  • 9-25 February 2026: The application portal for SI Scholarships is open for two weeks.
  • 26 March 2026: University admissions announcement.
  • 23 April 2026: SI Scholarship announcement.

Method of Application

For More Information,

Visit the Official Webpage

Application Deadline: 15 January 2026.

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