The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals (SISGP) supports eligible international students in selected master’s programmes in Sweden. The 2027–2028 application dates have not been officially confirmed. Use this guide to prepare early, but treat any date you see elsewhere as unconfirmed until the Swedish Institute publishes its call.
Quick Facts: SISGP 2027–2028
What Is the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals?
The SISGP is a scholarship programme run by the Swedish Institute, a Swedish public agency that promotes interest in and cooperation with Sweden. It is intended for future global leaders and professionals who want to study a master’s programme in Sweden and then contribute to sustainable development in their home countries or regions.
That focus matters. The SISGP is not a general academic merit award given to the students with the highest grades. It is designed for people who already have professional and leadership experience and can explain how a Swedish master’s degree will strengthen the work they do back home. Each cycle, SI sets the list of eligible countries, the eligible master’s programmes and the application rules, so details can change from one year to the next.
Who Should Prepare to Apply?
The scholarship best suits working professionals with a clear development-related purpose. Before investing time in a full application, check three things against the current official guidance:
- Citizenship: Is your country on the participating-country list for the current cycle?
- Programme: Is your chosen master’s programme on SI’s list of eligible programmes?
- Experience: Do you meet the current work-experience and leadership requirements as defined by SI?
A common mistake is assuming that university admission equals scholarship eligibility. It does not. You might be fully qualified for a Swedish master’s programme and still be ineligible for the SISGP because of your citizenship, your chosen programme or insufficient documented experience.
Edge cases to check carefully
- Dual citizens: Read how the current call treats applicants with more than one nationality.
- Applicants living abroad: Residence outside your country of citizenship may affect eligibility; confirm the current rule.
- Previous studies in Sweden: Some cycles have had conditions for applicants who have already studied or lived in Sweden.
- Self-employed or volunteer roles: Check what counts as qualifying experience and what proof SI accepts.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
In recent cycles, the Swedish Institute has described the SISGP as a comprehensive award. Without inventing amounts, these are the types of support it has historically included:
Tuition Fees
Coverage of tuition for the eligible master’s programme, paid according to SI’s terms.
Living Costs
A monthly living allowance. Confirm the current amount on the official page.
Travel and Insurance
Past cycles included a travel grant and insurance. Verify what applies for 2027–2028.
Network Membership
Scholarship holders have typically joined SI’s professional network for leadership activities.
Do not budget based on figures from older cycles or third-party websites. Use only the amounts SI publishes for the cycle you apply in.
What Documents Should You Prepare?
Treat the latest official application instructions as your definitive checklist. Depending on the cycle, applicants may need to prepare:
- Proof of work experience: Employment certificates that show your role, dates and working hours, in the format SI requests.
- Proof of leadership experience: Evidence of responsibility, initiative or influence, with clear dates and context.
- CV: Possibly in a specific format required by the current call.
- References: Letters or forms from people who can confirm your experience, if required.
- Programme-related documents: Your university application details and any motivation or development-focused questions in the scholarship form.
- Passport or identity document: Showing your citizenship.
Example: If you work as a project officer at a public health NGO, collect a letter from HR that states your title, start date, full-time or part-time status and main duties. Then gather separate evidence of leadership, such as a letter confirming you led a community outreach team. Keep names, dates and job titles identical across your CV, letters and application form.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Sequence
- Check the official SI page. Confirm the eligible-country list and the current eligibility criteria on the Swedish Institute scholarships page.
- Choose eligible programmes. Find master’s programmes on SI’s list and review each university’s admission requirements, including English proficiency.
- Apply to the university. In past cycles, applicants first applied for admission to their chosen programmes, usually through Sweden’s national admissions service. Confirm the current process.
- Prepare scholarship evidence. Gather proof of employment, leadership and any other criteria specified for the current cycle.
- Submit the scholarship application. Follow the published timeline. University admission and scholarship applications are often separate steps with different deadlines.
- Keep records. Submit only through official channels and save confirmations, receipts and copies of everything you upload.
Missing the university admission step is one of the most common reasons strong candidates cannot proceed, so plan both timelines together.
When Is the 2027–2028 Deadline?
The 2027–2028 deadline is not yet confirmed in this guide. You may find estimated dates online based on earlier cycles, but an estimate is not an official deadline. Previous patterns can shift, and relying on them could cause you to miss a window.
What you can do now:
- Check the Swedish Institute website regularly for the official call.
- Start collecting experience documents early, since employer letters can take weeks.
- Prepare your English test and academic transcripts in advance.
- Return to this page — we will update it once SI announces official dates.
Tips for Applicants from Pakistan and Africa
- Check the country list first. Participating countries can change between cycles, so confirm yours before preparing a full application.
- Keep evidence organised and consistent. Mismatched dates or job titles between documents weaken credibility.
- Research programmes early. Shortlist eligible master’s programmes before the window opens and link each to your career goals.
- Use current-year materials. Rely on this year’s official forms and instructions, not screenshots or templates from older cycles.
- Connect your story to development. Show concretely how the degree will help you contribute to sustainable development in your home country or region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are applications open for 2027–2028?
The dates have not been confirmed in this guide. Check the Swedish Institute’s official announcement for the current status.
Is this scholarship for bachelor’s degrees?
No. The SISGP is for eligible master’s programmes, not general undergraduate study.
Can I apply from any country?
No. Eligibility depends on the Swedish Institute’s participating-country list and the current call.
Does university admission guarantee the scholarship?
No. Admission is usually necessary but not sufficient. The scholarship has its own eligibility rules and a competitive selection process.
Can I use documents from a previous application?
Only if they match the current cycle’s requirements and formats. Always compare them against the latest instructions before uploading.
Summary and Next Steps
The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals is a strong option for experienced professionals who want a master’s degree in Sweden and plan to contribute to sustainable development at home. For 2027–2028, the dates remain unconfirmed, so your best move is to prepare now: verify your eligibility, shortlist programmes, collect consistent evidence of work and leadership experience, and watch for the official call.
Always check the official Swedish Institute scholarships page before acting. To compare other funding options, explore our guide to scholarships for international students in 2027.
