Deadline:
January 15, 2026
Location(s)
Sweden
Overview
Are you ready to use your STEM expertise to drive societal change? 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. Read through the call for application carefully.
Details
Sweden believes that diversity drives innovation and that complex challenges require sustainable solutions. Through this scholarship, we support women who are ready to shape the future of STEM and strengthen their communities through knowledge, leadership and action.
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.
Key dates
- 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.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility
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.
Dates
Deadline: January 15, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
What's included
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 in the beginning of each semester.
- A monthly stipend 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 Future 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 SI Alumni Network. As a member, you get a unique opportunity for continued networking and professional development.
The scholarship does not…
- 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.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
