SI Scholarship Acceptance Rate
In 2026, 232 of 12,922 applicants won an SI master's scholarship — under 2% on paper. Here's what the figures actually mean for how you should apply.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
2 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
Figures from SI's April 2026 announcement and cover both SI master's scholarships: 189 Global Professionals and 43 Pioneering Women in STEM awards, to recipients from 33 countries (source).
What the Headline Rate Actually Means
The 2026 round was very tough on paper: applications rose by more than 50 per cent to 12,922, and 232 scholarships were awarded — about 1 in 56.
The headline number includes everyone who submits an application — including those who are automatically disqualified for not meeting the work experience requirement, applying from ineligible countries, failing basic eligibility criteria, or not being admitted to an eligible programme. Among applicants who are genuinely qualified, the effective competition is narrower but still serious.
How Competition Varies
| Factor | Impact on your odds |
|---|---|
| Your country | Some countries receive disproportionately many applications. SI says it has no country quotas but tries to include as many eligible countries as possible when quality allows, so countries with fewer strong applicants can have better odds. |
| Your field of study | All eligible programmes fall within SI’s four fields: governance, public health, entrepreneurship and innovation, and STEM. Work experience in line with your chosen field is prioritised. |
| Quality of your motivation | In this guide’s view, a major differentiator among qualified applicants. SI says the quality of the application is crucial; specific, evidence-backed statements do better than vague ones. |
| Your leadership profile | Applicants with documented leadership — especially from employment, but also community initiatives, NGO work and professional networks — are prioritised by SI. |
| Programme admission | You must also be admitted to the Swedish university programme. Competitive programmes narrow the effective pool further. |
Should the Acceptance Rate Discourage You?
No — but it should inform how you apply. A low acceptance rate does not mean 98 out of 100 equally strong applicants were rejected. A large share of the applicant pool was not genuinely competitive: wrong country, insufficient work experience, no admission to an eligible programme, or a motivation statement that was copy-pasted from another application.
Among applicants who are fully eligible and submit a high-quality, tailored application, the effective rate is meaningfully better. The question to ask is not "do I have a 2% chance?" but "am I in the group that has a realistic shot?"
If you meet all eligibility requirements, have documented leadership impact, and write a specific and compelling motivation, your odds are substantially better than the headline rate. If you are applying to check a box, they are substantially worse. The scholarship goes to the people who deserve it — and who can articulate why they deserve it.
Next Steps
The criteria and what strong looks like for each.
What kills otherwise strong applications.