Application Deadline: 20th January 2016
The Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (SISS) are awarded to students from selected countries for full-time master’s level studies in Sweden starting in the autumn semester 2016. The scholarships cover both living costs and tuition fees. An estimated 300 scholarships will be available.
SISS is the Swedish government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. It is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and administered by the Swedish Institute (SI), the programme offers a unique opportunity for future leaders to develop professionally and academically, to experience Swedish society and culture, and to build a long-lasting relationship with Sweden and with each other.
The goal is to enable the scholarship holders to play an active role in the positive development of the societies in which they live. Ideal candidates are ambitious young professionals with outstanding academic qualifications, demonstrated leadership experience and a clear idea of how a study programme in Sweden would benefit their country.
The scholarship is intended for full-time master’s level studies of one or two years, and is only awarded for programmes starting in the autumn semester. The scholarship is granted for one academic year (two semesters) at a time. It will be extended for programmes longer than two semesters, provided that the student has passed his/her courses/credits.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be from an eligible country and have at least a total of two years of experience from voluntary work, paid or unpaid internship, position of trust and/or full/part time employment.
- Applicants must display outstanding academic qualifications and leadership experience. In addition, applicants should show an ambition to make a difference by working with issues which contribute to a just and sustainable development in their country, in a long term perspective.
- Eligible countries
The programme is open to three different categories of countries. Approximately 100 scholarships within each category will be available.
Category 1:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina-Faso, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Category 2:
Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Syria.
Category 3:
Candidates with citizenships from countries on the DAC list of ODA recipients other than the above, or ODA countries included in other SI scholarship programmes, can apply within this category.
Kindly note that to be considered for a scholarship, you must first both complete your separate application to the master’s programme(s) before the university deadline 15 January 2016, and pay your university admissions application fee (SEK 900) before 1 February 2016
Eligible programmes
A list of eligible master programmes for the academic year 2016/2017 is available here.
The scholarship application consists of two steps, the first step will be open 1 December 2015 – 20 January 2016, followed by a detailed second step for successful candidates from the first step, 8–13 February 2016.
Scholarship Benefits:
- The scholarship covers both tuition fees (paid directly to the Swedish university/university college by the Swedish Institute) and living expenses to the amount of SEK 9,000 per month. There are no additional grants for family members.
- The scholarship period cannot be altered or extended beyond the study programme period, nor can the scholarship be transferred to a study programme other than the awarded one.
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Travel grants
Scholarship holders from countries on the DAC list of ODA recipients receive a travel grant in connection with their scholarship. The travel grant is a one-time payment of SEK 15,000.
Insurance
Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish State Group Insurance and Personal Insurance against illness and accident during the scholarship period.
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Network memberships
All SI scholarship holders become members of, and help develop, the SI Network for Future Global Leaders (NFGL) – a network which offers exclusive opportunities for SI scholarship holders during their stay in Sweden.
Application Process:
- To be considered for a scholarship, you must first both complete your separate application to the master’s programme(s) before the university deadline of 15 January 2016, and pay your university admissions application fee (SEK 900) before 1 February 2016.
- For the second step of the scholarship application you will be required to submit a Motivation letter, a Europass format CV, a passport copy, and two recommendation letters. The documents must be in English. If any mandatory document is not used or completed in English the application is deemed ineligible.
First step 1 December 2015 – 20 January 2016:
The first part of the application process will open on 1 December 2015. Apply through our online system. No documents will be required in the first step.
The scholarship application form is now available at the SI application portal. Application deadline is 24:00 CET on Wednesday 20 January 2016.
Second step 8–13 February 2016:
- Prepare a motivation letter according to the Swedish Institute template. Motivation letters in any other templates or formats are NOT valid. Make sure to read the questions in the motivation letter thoroughly, and be specific and personal in your reasoning. Answers may not exceed the allowed number of characters (letters and spaces) for each question. The template will be uploaded here in January 2016.
- Prepare a Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, only using the Europass format of maximum three pages. A CV submitted in another format than the Europass format is NOT valid. Additional pages will not be considered.
- Prepare two references according to the SI template. At least one of the references must be in connection to one of the work experiences you mention in your application. Remember that a letter of reference which is not signed is NOT valid. The reference template will be uploaded here in January 2016.
- Prepare a copy of your passport to enclose with your application. Your personal data including citizenship and photograph must show clearly.
- The online application portal opens on 8 February 2016. Apply through our online system. A link to the online system will be published on this page on 8 February 2016.
An application without a valid and completed motivation letter, CV, letter of reference or copy of passport is deemed ineligible.
You need to submit a separate copy of your scholarship application for each eligible master’s programme which you have applied to. For example, if you have applied to the maximum four master’s programmes, you must submit four separate and complete online scholarship applications.
Each application must have a motivation letter, a CV, two letters of reference and a copy of your passport attached. You may use the same motivation letter, CV, passport copy and letters of reference for each application, or create unique ones for each master’s programme.
Timeline:
- 1 December 2015–15 January 2016: University application and payment of application fee on universityadmissions.se.
- 1 December 2015 – 20 January 2016: First step of the scholarship application. Apply for a Swedish Institute Study Scholarship through the online application service.
- 1 February 2016: Deadline for supporting documents and payment of application fee for master’s programmes to university admissions. For detailed information see universityadmissions.se.
- Early February 2016: Candidates from the first step of the scholarship application will be notified via email.
- 8–13 February 2016: Second step of the scholarship application. Apply for a Swedish Institute Study Scholarship through the online application service.
- 29 March 2016: Notifications of the first selection round for university admission are published on universityadmissions.se.
- 12 April 2016: A list of successful candidates for the Swedish Institute scholarships is published at si.se.
- 14 April 2016: Deadline for accepting your study place on universityadmissions.se.
- April 2016: The Swedish Institute formal scholarship offer to successful candidates is sent by email.
Apply Now for the Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (SISS)
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (SISS)