These answers are based on SI's official documentation, applicant communities, and verified recipient accounts. SI updates its rules each cycle — always confirm specifics at si.se before applying. If an answer here conflicts with what's on SI's website, trust SI's website.
Eligibility
Yes. The scholarship only requires that you hold citizenship in one of the 34 eligible countries. Where you currently live doesn't affect your eligibility. The only location restriction is if you've been living in Sweden for 2 or more cumulative years before the scholarship period starts — and that's Sweden specifically, not your home country.
It depends. If both citizenships are from countries on the OECD DAC list of ODA recipients (developing countries), you can apply — just pick one citizenship to apply with. If one of your citizenships is from an EU, EEA, or developed country (Sweden, UK, Germany, USA, etc.), you're not eligible. Also: if you submit multiple applications using different citizenships, SI disqualifies all of them. Pick one and stick with it.
No. Internships are explicitly excluded from the work experience requirement, regardless of duration or whether they were paid. Only full-time employment, part-time employment, freelancing, and self-employment count.
Volunteer work doesn't count toward the 3,000 work hours. However, it can count as leadership experience — which is documented separately on the leadership form. If you led a volunteer team, ran a community project, or held a leadership position in a civil society organization, that belongs in the leadership section, not the work experience hours section.
No. SI has no minimum or maximum age requirement for SISGP.
No. The scholarship only covers full-time master's degree programs. Exchange programs, short courses, and PhD programs are not eligible.
No. SISGP is explicitly restricted to first-time SI scholarship recipients. If you've received any SI scholarship previously — including smaller grants or other SI programs — you're not eligible.
Yes, if your country appears on the current year's eligible country list, you can apply. Check si.se each year — the list can change.
No. Current enrollment at a Swedish university disqualifies you. You also cannot have a Swedish degree already.
The threshold doesn't change based on cultural context for most countries. The only exception is the Eastern European group (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine) which has a lower threshold of "any documented experience." For all other countries, the 3,000-hour minimum applies without exceptions.
Application & Documents
No. SI updates its templates every year. Using a template from a previous cycle results in automatic disqualification. Download the current year's templates from si.se when they're published each November.
No. Europass is not accepted. You must use SI's own CV template, exactly as provided.
No. The maximum is 3 work experience forms (from a maximum of 3 employers). If you've worked at more than 3 places, pick the 3 most relevant and most hour-rich. Experience from a 4th or 5th employer is not counted.
SI requires official stamps on experience and reference letter forms. If your employer doesn't have a physical stamp, options include: digital signatures from an authorized company representative (check SI's current FAQ for whether these are accepted in your cycle), a notary public stamp certifying the document, or official company letterhead combined with an authorized signature. Contact SI's helpdesk if you're uncertain — don't assume.
Yes, but you need a certified translation attached. Self-translation is not accepted. The original document and its certified translation must be combined into a single PDF, both with official stamps. If the referee writes the letter in a non-English language, this is your responsibility to get translated before submitting.
Log into "My Pages" at universityadmissions.se after you've submitted your program applications. Your application number will be listed there. Exception: if you applied to SSE (Stockholm School of Economics) or Konstfack, enter eight zeros (00000000) as your application number in the SI portal.
You can change your rankings at universityadmissions.se. However, changes may delay your admission notification, which affects whether you're confirmed as admitted by March 26. If you're not admitted to an eligible program by that date, your SI scholarship application is automatically ineligible.
No. SI's application does not accept unsolicited additional documents. Additional pages beyond the template maximums are disregarded. Submit only what SI asks for, using the formats they specify.
No. Once submitted, your application cannot be edited. This is why it's important to review everything carefully before hitting submit.
Yes, up to 4 programs through University Admissions. But you submit only one SI scholarship application. The scholarship covers whichever eligible program you're admitted to on the first admissions day.
Selection & Competition
Very competitive. In the 2026 cycle, 8,580 applications were submitted and 402 scholarships were awarded. Of those admitted to eligible programs (5,826 people), about 7% received a scholarship. Of all applicants, roughly 4.7%.
No. SI does not provide individual feedback on rejected applications. You'll receive a notification that your application was unsuccessful, but no explanation of why.
No. The selection process is entirely based on submitted documents. There's no interview stage, unlike scholarships like Chevening or Rhodes.
Not directly with SI — your GPA isn't submitted to SI. But it matters for getting admitted to your chosen master's program, which is a prerequisite for the scholarship. At the SI level, what matters more is the quality of your leadership experience, coherence of your professional story, and how specific and credible your post-graduation plans are.
No formal quotas exist, but SI aims for geographic representation across the 34 eligible countries. They try to include candidates from as many eligible countries as possible when quality allows. This doesn't disadvantage large-country applicants — it means exceptional candidates from any country can succeed.
SI defines leadership as experience managing other colleagues or organizations, or influencing organizational strategy. This can come from employment (formal management roles, project leadership) or civil society involvement (leading NGOs, community initiatives, professional associations). It doesn't require a formal "manager" title — but it does require evidence of actual impact on other people or organizational direction.
Yes. Scholars do decline, and reserve list candidates do receive offers. Offers typically come by email in May and June. There's no public ranking for the reserve list — you simply wait for direct contact. Plan as if you didn't get the scholarship while remaining reachable.
Yes. There's no limit on how many times you can apply, as long as you've never received an SI scholarship. Many successful recipients applied two or three times before winning. Each cycle is evaluated independently.
After Selection
There's no binding contractual obligation to return in SI's publicly stated terms. However, the scholarship is explicitly designed for professionals who intend to contribute to their home country's development — and your application must demonstrate this intent. Sweden also offers a job-seeker permit that allows you to remain after graduation. What you do afterward is your decision.
The stipend (SEK 12,000/month) begins when your study period starts. The travel grant (SEK 15,000 or SEK 10,000 for Eastern European countries) is paid when you arrive in Sweden.
Deferral is possible only after you've already started your studies, not before. If you want to delay starting, this would need to be discussed with SI directly — there's no guaranteed option for pre-start deferral.
Yes, as dependents with their own residence permits. However, the scholarship does not cover family members. Swedish Migration Agency requires you to demonstrate additional funds: approximately SEK 3,622.50/month per spouse and SEK 2,173.50/month per child (verify current amounts with the Migration Agency). This comes from your own savings or income, not from the scholarship.
After receiving your scholarship offer, you apply through the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). Your SI confirmation letter serves as proof of financial support. Processing typically takes 2-4 months, so apply as soon as you have your offer letter. Don't wait.
The SI Network for Global Professionals (NFGP) is SI's scholar community. As an SI scholar, you're automatically a member during your studies. It includes funded workshops, leadership seminars, study visits, and networking events. After graduation, you transition to the SI Alumni Network (15,000+ members across 140+ countries), which you keep access to for life.
No. The Kammarkollegiet insurance covers emergencies: acute medical care, emergency dental, and property (theft/damage). It doesn't cover routine GP visits, ongoing prescriptions, mental health treatment, or pre-existing conditions. For everyday health needs, check with your university's student health service — most Swedish universities have arrangements for international students.
If circumstances prevent you from attending, contact SI immediately. Terms around cancellation, deferral, and withdrawal conditions are in your scholarship agreement. Don't assume anything — communicate with SI directly.
Practical & Living Questions
It depends on the city. In Stockholm, you'll be at or near the edge — rent alone can be SEK 5,000–7,500, leaving little margin. In Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala, or Lund, it's more comfortable. The stipend is designed to be sufficient for student living, not for saving money or significant lifestyle spending.
It's genuinely challenging, especially in Stockholm. Public housing queues are years long. University housing for international students is limited. Many scholars end up in the private market, which requires a deposit the scholarship doesn't cover. Start researching housing before you arrive — ideally the moment you accept the scholarship.
No. All SISGP-eligible programs are taught in English. Most Swedes speak English fluently. You can live and study in Sweden entirely in English. That said, learning some Swedish helps with social integration and some practical situations. Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) is free for residents.
As a non-EU student with a Swedish study residence permit, you can work without a separate work permit. But the scholarship is meant to fund full-time study — part-time work is possible but shouldn't be your Plan A for covering costs.
Still have questions?
SI's official website has the most current information. For questions not covered there, their helpdesk is the right contact — not forums or community groups.