The SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027 pays full tuition, SEK 12,000 a month, and a one-time SEK 15,000 travel grant for a STEM master's in Sweden. Only women who are citizens of 10 listed countries in Africa and Asia can apply. First, apply to University Admissions by 15 January 2027, then submit to SI by 24 February 2027.
Step 1: University Admissions application closes on 15 January 2027 (CET).
Step 2: SI scholarship portal closes on 24 February 2027 at 2:59 PM CET (6:59 PM PKT, 8:59 AM ET, 5:59 AM PT).
Quick Facts: SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM, 2027/2028 round |
| Provider | Swedish Institute (SI) |
| Level | Master's, full-time, one or two years, autumn 2027 start |
| Funding | Fully funded: tuition, SEK 12,000 per month, SEK 15,000 travel grant |
| Who can apply | Women who are citizens of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, or Vietnam |
| Subjects | Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (eligible programs only) |
| Deadline 1 | 15 January 2027 (CET), University Admissions |
| Deadline 2 | 24 February 2027, 2:59 PM CET, SI portal (opens 8 February 2027) |
| Status | University Admissions window is open. SI portal opens on 8 February 2027. |
| Country | Sweden |
| Source | Swedish Institute: Pioneering Women in STEM |
Numbers at a Glance
10
Eligible countries in Africa and Asia.
3,000
Minimum work experience, from at most three employers.
SEK 12,000
Living allowance during the study period.
SEK 15,000
One-time grant, not for those already in Sweden.
Under 2 years
Total time you may have lived in Sweden before the award.
22 April 2027
Date SI announces scholarship recipients.
I checked the Swedish Institute page and its published key dates on 3 November 2026. The SI page I could open still showed the previous round's criteria text, so I treated the amounts, country list, and rules as the working baseline. The 2027 dates match SI's current schedule and 2027 reports. SI publishes the 2027 call documents and the eligible program list on 13 November 2026. Recheck every item on that day. See our editorial policy for how we handle corrections.
- Quick Facts: SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027
- What Is the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027?
- Which Nationalities Are Eligible for the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship?
- Who Can Apply, and Who Cannot?
- Which STEM Subjects Are Available?
- What Does the Scholarship Cover?
- How Do Working Hours and Payment Work?
- What Documents Do You Need?
- How Do You Apply, Step by Step?
- What Are the 2027 Deadlines and Key Dates?
- How Are Winners Selected?
- What English Language Requirements Apply?
- What Will It Cost You Out of Pocket?
- Do You Need a Residence Permit?
- Can Pakistani Applicants Apply?
- What Should U.S. Applicants Know?
- What Should Other International Applicants Know?
- What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
- What Happens After You Receive an Offer?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Official Sources
1. What Is the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027?
The SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027 is a Swedish Institute award for women from 10 African and Asian countries who want a full-time, one- or two-year STEM master's in Sweden. It covers tuition, a monthly living allowance, and one travel grant, and it adds membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals.
SI describes the goal in simple terms. Here is the line I would keep in mind while you plan:
"A fully funded scholarship aiming to empower women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics." Source: University of Gothenburg SI scholarship page
Here is what many guides skip. This is a two-gate process. The first gate is your master's application at University Admissions on 15 January 2027. The second gate is the SI portal on 24 February 2027. A reader who only sees "24 February" can miss the first gate by six weeks, and then the scholarship is gone for the year.
2. Which Nationalities Are Eligible for the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship?
Only female citizens of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam can apply. Citizenship decides eligibility, not where you live today. You can apply from any country as long as you hold citizenship in one of these ten.
| Region | Eligible countries |
|---|---|
| Africa | Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa |
| Asia | Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam |
This list comes from SI's page for the previous round and matches reports of the 2027 call. I will update this guide if SI changes it on 13 November 2026.
What Happens if You Hold Two Citizenships?
If both of your citizenships are eligible, you must choose only one when you apply. SI says that anyone who uses dual citizenship to submit more than one application has all applications disqualified. SI also lists dual citizenship in a country that is not on the OECD's list of aid recipients as a reason you are not eligible.
3. Who Can Apply, and Who Cannot?
You qualify if you are a woman from an eligible country, are liable for tuition fees in Sweden, hold documented work and leadership experience, and are admitted to an eligible STEM master's. You do not qualify if you hold a Swedish degree or have a previous SI scholarship for studies.
The quickest way to check yourself is this decision table.
| Your situation | Can you apply? |
|---|---|
| Woman, Nigerian citizen, living in the United States | Yes. Residence does not matter. |
| Citizen of Pakistan, India, or the United States | No. These countries are not on the list. |
| Man from an eligible country | No. The scholarship is for women. |
| Dual citizen with Swedish, EU, or EEA citizenship | No. These citizenships are excluded. |
| Holds a degree from a Swedish university, or is enrolled there | No. |
| Has lived in Sweden for two years or more in total | No. |
| Won an earlier SI scholarship for studies | No. |
| Joined an SI Summer Academy or Swedish language summer course | Yes. SI says these participants may still apply. |
| Placed on a program's reserve list | That program cannot be considered for the award. |
How Many Work Hours Do You Need?
SI's rule is at least 3,000 hours of work experience, collected from a maximum of three employers. You do not need one unbroken job, and you do not need to be employed now. Freelance work, part-time work, and running your own business all count. Work in your chosen field gets priority.
Here is my own math, using the 3,000-hour rule and simple assumptions. It is an illustration, not an SI table.
| Hours per week | Weeks needed | Roughly |
|---|---|---|
| 40 (full-time) | 75 | About 17 months |
| 30 | 100 | About 23 months |
| 20 (part-time) | 150 | About 35 months |
You must prove these hours with SI's template forms, and the forms are published on the SI page on 13 November 2026. Also check the cutoff date for counting hours. The previous round used February of the application year.
You also need leadership experience. SI means leading colleagues or an organization, shaping a strategy, assigning tasks, or taking part in decisions. It has no minimum hours, but strong leadership from employment gets priority.
4. Which STEM Subjects Are Available?
The scholarship covers designated English-taught master's programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Only programs on SI's eligible list count. That list for 2027/2028 appears on 13 November 2026, so pick programs from it and not from a university brochure.
Science
Natural science master's programs on the eligible list.
Technology
Technology-focused master's programs on the eligible list.
Engineering
Engineering master's programs on the eligible list.
Mathematics
Mathematics master's programs on the eligible list.
As an example of how the list works, the University of Gothenburg listed 14 master's programs for the 2026/2027 round. Its page also reminds applicants to apply in the first application round. Check each university's own page for 2027.
5. What Does the Scholarship Cover?
SI pays your full tuition fee directly to your Swedish university each semester. You also receive SEK 12,000 per month for living costs and a one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000. You join the SI Network for Global Professionals during your studies and the Sweden Alumni Network afterward.
What Is Included
- Full tuition fee coverage, paid by SI to the university.
- SEK 12,000 monthly allowance throughout the study period.
- SEK 15,000 one-time travel grant, which does not apply if you already live in Sweden.
- Membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals and, later, the Sweden Alumni Network.
What Is Not Included
- Insurance. Ask your university what cover it offers international students.
- Extra grants for family members.
- The University Admissions application fee.
- Any change of study program, or an extension of the scholarship period.
6. How Do Working Hours and Payment Work?
"Working hours" can mean two things here. One is the 3,000 hours you must already have. The other is whether you can work while you study. Payment is simple: tuition goes to the university, and the allowance goes to you each month.
| Payment | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | Full fee, each semester | Your university, directly from SI |
| Living allowance | SEK 12,000 per month | You |
| Travel grant | SEK 15,000 once | You, unless you already live in Sweden |
SI's page does not describe your weekly working hours during studies, and it does not say how the monthly payment is scheduled. Those details belong in your award terms. Read them before you accept the offer. Ask SI and the Swedish Migration Agency about work rights on your permit. Do not assume a number from a blog.
7. What Documents Do You Need?
You need a University Admissions application, proof that you paid the fee, your application number, SI's work and leadership forms, and your motivation answers. SI publishes the 2027 templates on 13 November 2026. Do not reuse old templates, because SI expects the current versions.
| Document | Where it goes | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Master's application | UniversityAdmissions.se | Due 15 January 2027. Keep the application number. |
| Application fee payment | University Admissions | Pay on time. SI does not cover it. |
| Work experience certificate | SI portal | Use SI's template form. Maximum three employers. |
| Leadership evidence | SI portal | Employment or civil society work. |
| Motivation answers | SI portal | Link your program to your home country's sustainable development. |
| Transcripts and English proof | University Admissions | Set by each program. Check its page. |
| Proof of citizenship | Check the 2027 call | I could not confirm the exact format yet. |
Your motivation answers carry weight because SI asks you to explain how the program connects to sustainability goals. Our motivation letter guide shows how to structure that kind of answer.
8. How Do You Apply, Step by Step?
Apply to eligible master's programs at University Admissions first, then submit the SI scholarship application in the portal between 8 and 24 February 2027. Save your application number in between. SI only considers you if you are admitted or conditionally admitted on 1 April 2027.
Confirm citizenship, tuition liability, and 3,000 work hours.
Open SI's page on 13 November 2026 and shortlist eligible programs.
Submit by 15 January 2027 and pay the fee on time.
The SI form asks for it, so store it in two places.
Get employer sign-off early and draft your motivation answers.
Use the window of 8 to 24 February 2027. Do not wait for the final hour.
You must be admitted or conditionally admitted on 1 April 2027.
Recipients are announced on 22 April 2027 and offered by email by the end of April.
9. What Are the 2027 Deadlines and Key Dates?
The University Admissions window runs from 16 October 2026 to 15 January 2027. The SI portal runs from 8 to 24 February 2027. University admissions are announced on 1 April 2027, and SI announces recipients on 22 April 2027. Track both deadlines with our scholarship deadline tracker.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 16 October 2026 | University Admissions window opens |
| 13 November 2026 | SI publishes documents and the eligible program list |
| 15 January 2027 | University Admissions deadline |
| 8 February 2027 | SI portal opens |
| 24 February 2027 | SI portal closes |
| 1 April 2027 | University admissions announcement |
| 22 April 2027 | SI scholarship announcement |
What Time Does the SI Portal Close in Your Time Zone?
Reports of SI's schedule say the portal closes at 14:59 CET on 24 February 2027. Confirm that time on SI's page when the portal opens. Neither Sweden nor the U.S. changes clocks in February, so the offsets below are standard.
| Time zone | Local time on 24 February 2027 |
|---|---|
| Sweden (CET) | 2:59 PM |
| Pakistan (PKT) | 6:59 PM |
| U.S. Eastern (ET) | 8:59 AM |
| U.S. Pacific (PT) | 5:59 AM |
| Nigeria (WAT) | 2:59 PM |
| South Africa (SAST) | 3:59 PM |
| Kenya (EAT) | 4:59 PM |
| Bangladesh (BST) | 7:59 PM |
| Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia (WIB) | 8:59 PM |
| Malaysia, Philippines | 9:59 PM |
10. How Are Winners Selected?
SI can only award the scholarship for the master's program you are admitted to on admissions day. Reserve list places do not count, and there are no awards for late admissions. Beyond that, SI gives priority to work experience in your field and to strong leadership from employment.
My practical read: your admission and your SI file are two separate tests. A strong motivation answer cannot rescue a missed admission, and a good admission cannot rescue weak work and leadership documents. Spend time on both.
11. What English Language Requirements Apply?
English requirements come from the university and program, not from SI. Each program sets its own accepted tests and scores, and waivers differ. Open the program page for every course on your shortlist before you apply. Use our IELTS band score calculator to compare your scores.
Confirm the program-level English requirement on the official university website right before you submit. Scores, test dates, and waivers can change between rounds.
12. What Will It Cost You Out of Pocket?
Tuition is covered, but some costs stay with you. The University Admissions application fee, insurance, and any family costs are not included. Plan for the permit application and your first weeks in Sweden as well. Compare the SEK 12,000 monthly allowance with your own rent and food budget before you accept.
13. Do You Need a Residence Permit?
Admission and the scholarship do not give you the right to live in Sweden. Non-EU students normally apply for a residence permit for studies with the Swedish Migration Agency after admission. Start early and read the current requirements on the agency's website, including the proof of funds it asks for.
14. Can Pakistani Applicants Apply?
No. Pakistan is not on the list of ten eligible countries, so Pakistani citizens cannot apply for this scholarship. Check the country list of SI's separate Global Professionals scholarship, and look at university-level Swedish awards. I could not confirm Pakistan's status for that scheme from an official 2027 page.
15. What Should U.S. Applicants Know?
U.S. citizens cannot apply because the United States is not on the list. A woman who holds citizenship in one of the ten countries can apply while living in the U.S. She must still meet the other rules, and EU or EEA citizenship would rule her out.
16. What Should Other International Applicants Know?
If you are not from one of the ten countries, this scholarship is not open to you. Explore the Global Professionals scheme and university awards. For example, see our guide to the Adlerbert Study Scholarships at Chalmers. Do not apply under a citizenship you do not hold.
17. What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
- Waiting until 24 February and missing the 15 January University Admissions deadline.
- Applying to a program that is not on SI's eligible list.
- Counting on a reserve list place.
- Reusing last year's SI templates.
- Letting an employer delay your work certificate.
How Do You Avoid Scams?
Use only the SI page and University Admissions for applications. The only fee the official page mentions is the University Admissions application fee, paid to University Admissions. Be careful with anyone who asks for payment to "guarantee" a scholarship.
18. What Happens After You Receive an Offer?
SI sends each recipient an official offer by email by the end of April 2027. Read the terms, because SI does not allow a change of program or an extension of the period. If you are employed, speak with your employer about leave early. SI will not step in on that matter.
19. Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027 fully funded?
Yes, SI describes it as fully funded. It pays your full tuition fee directly to the Swedish university, adds a monthly allowance of SEK 12,000, and gives a one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000. It does not cover insurance, family members, or the University Admissions application fee, so budget for those separately.
Which countries can apply for the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship?
Female citizens of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam can apply. Your citizenship decides eligibility. You do not need to live in your home country when you apply. SI publishes the 2027 call on 13 November 2026, so recheck the list then.
What are the deadlines for the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship 2027?
There are two steps. First, apply to your master's programs at University Admissions between 16 October 2026 and 15 January 2027. Second, submit the SI scholarship application between 8 and 24 February 2027. Reports of SI's schedule say the portal closes at 14:59 CET on the last day.
Can Pakistani women apply for the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship?
No. Pakistan is not on the list of ten eligible countries, and SI limits this scholarship to female citizens of those countries. Pakistani applicants should check SI's separate Global Professionals scholarship country list and look at university-specific Swedish scholarships instead. Do not pay anyone who promises a place for Pakistani applicants in this program.
Can U.S. citizens apply for the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship?
No. Citizenship is the test, and the United States is not one of the ten listed countries. A woman who holds citizenship in one of the ten countries can apply while living in the U.S. A person with EU or EEA citizenship, or a Swedish degree, cannot apply.
How much work experience do I need for the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship?
SI's criteria ask for at least 3,000 hours of work experience, collected from a maximum of three employers. Full-time, part-time, and freelance work all count. You also need documented leadership experience, which can come from a job or from civil society work. Check the exact cutoff date in the 2027 call.
Do I need to be admitted before I apply to SI?
You apply to University Admissions first and save your application number. You do not have an offer when you submit to SI in February. However, you must be admitted or conditionally admitted to an eligible master's program on 1 April 2027. Reserve list places are not considered, and late admissions do not qualify.
How much money does the scholarship pay each month?
SI pays SEK 12,000 per month for living expenses throughout your study period. The tuition fee goes straight from SI to your university each semester. The travel grant is SEK 15,000, paid once, and it does not apply if you already live in Sweden. Check current exchange rates to see what that means in your currency.
Can I apply to more than one SI scholarship at the same time?
SI warns that dual citizens who use both citizenships to submit more than one application have all applications disqualified. If both of your citizenships are eligible, choose one. Pick the scheme that fits you best, and check the Global Professionals list if you are not a citizen of one of the ten Women in STEM countries.
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