Swedish Institute Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship in Sweden

Scholarship Details

Introduction

The Swedish Institute (SI) Pioneering Women in STEM (PWIS) Scholarship is an international scholarship programme designed to support women pursuing master’s-level education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Sweden.

The programme seeks to strengthen women’s participation in STEM fields by providing scholarship support to eligible international students. It offers an opportunity to study at participating Swedish universities and develop the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to scientific research, technological innovation and sustainable development.

Nigerian women are among the eligible applicants, alongside women from other participating countries. However, not every master’s programme in Sweden qualifies for the scholarship. Applicants must select a programme included on the official list of eligible master’s programmes and satisfy the relevant admission and scholarship requirements.

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The scholarship is administered by the Swedish Institute, a public agency that promotes international cooperation and Sweden’s relations with other countries.

Benefits

The Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship is intended to reduce the financial barriers associated with studying for a master’s degree in Sweden.

The scholarship’s funding package should be checked against the official announcement for the applicable academic year before publication or application. Applicants should not assume that every expense associated with studying abroad is covered.

The main areas of support to check on the current official scholarship page include:

• Tuition fees: Whether the scholarship covers the tuition fee charged by the Swedish university for the eligible programme.
• Living expenses: The monthly allowance available to scholarship recipients to support their stay in Sweden.
• Travel support: Whether a travel grant is provided for the applicable scholarship cycle.
• Scholarship and alumni networks: Opportunities for international connections and engagement with the Swedish Institute’s scholarship community, where included in the award conditions.

The scholarship’s exact current monetary amounts and any exclusions should be confirmed in the official terms for the relevant academic year. Do not rely on figures from an older scholarship cycle without checking that they remain applicable.

Eligibility

Applicants must satisfy the scholarship requirements and the admission requirements of their selected Swedish university.

1. Be a woman applicant

The Pioneering Women in STEM programme is specifically intended to support women pursuing master’s-level studies in STEM-related fields.

2. Be a citizen of an eligible country

The programme has been offered to women from the following countries:

• Bangladesh
• Indonesia
• Kenya
• Malaysia
• Nigeria
• Philippines
• Rwanda
• South Africa
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Applicants should verify the country list for the relevant scholarship year on the official Swedish Institute website before applying.

3. Apply for an eligible master’s programme

Applicants must select a master’s programme included on the official list of programmes eligible for the Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship.

The programme list identifies the participating university, master’s programme, course code and programme credits. A course being STEM-related does not automatically make it eligible for this particular scholarship.

4. Meet the university’s admission requirements

Applicants must satisfy the academic and other entry requirements of the Swedish university offering their chosen master’s programme.

These requirements can differ between universities and courses. Applicants should review the programme’s entry qualifications, language requirements and supporting-document instructions before submitting an admission application.

5. Follow the Swedish university admission process

Applicants must apply for their chosen master’s programme through the appropriate Swedish university admissions system and follow the relevant application deadlines.

Scholarship applications and university admission applications are separate processes. Completing one does not automatically complete the other.

6. Meet the scholarship’s additional requirements

Applicants must also meet any additional requirements stated in the official scholarship announcement for their application year.

Because the current scholarship criteria page could not be fully retrieved for verification, applicants should consult the official page directly to confirm the complete current list of requirements before applying.

Eligible Master’s Programmes

The Swedish Institute publishes a separate list of master’s programmes eligible for the Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship.

The verified programme list for the 2026/2027 academic year includes participating institutions such as:

• Blekinge Institute of Technology
• Chalmers University of Technology
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology
• Linköping University
• Linnaeus University
• Luleå University of Technology
• Lund University
• Mälardalen University
• Malmö University
• Mid Sweden University
• Örebro University
• Södertörn University
• Stockholm School of Economics
• Stockholm University
• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
• Umeå University
• University of Borås
• University of Gothenburg
• University of Skövde
• University West
• Uppsala University

The list above identifies institutions appearing in the Swedish Institute’s scholarship application system; it does not mean every programme at each institution is eligible.

Applicants must check the separate official programme list and confirm the exact course title and course code for their intended year of study.

Official eligible-programme list for 2026/2027:
https://si.se/app/uploads/2025/11/eligible-master-programmes-si-pwis-2026_2027-tillganglighetsanpassad-2.pdf

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents required by both the university admission process and the scholarship application process.

Depending on the programme and application year, these may include:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• Proof of English-language proficiency, where required.
• A valid passport or other evidence of identity and citizenship.
• University admission application information.
• Scholarship application responses and any supporting documents specifically requested by the Swedish Institute.
• Any programme-specific documents required by the chosen university.

This is a preparation checklist, not a confirmed exhaustive list for the next scholarship cycle. The official application instructions should be used to determine the exact documents, formats and submission requirements.

Deadline

The official programme information available for verification relates to the 2026/2027 academic year. The application period for that cycle has passed.

The next application dates must be confirmed on the Swedish Institute’s official website. Applicants should not assume that the previous year’s deadlines will remain the same.

There are generally separate stages to prepare for:

1. University admission: Applicants select eligible master’s programmes and submit their university applications within the applicable admission window.
2. Scholarship application: Eligible candidates complete the separate Swedish Institute scholarship application during the announced scholarship application period.
3. Selection and results: The Swedish Institute evaluates applications and communicates scholarship decisions according to the published schedule.

Applicants should check both the university admissions website and the scholarship page for updated dates.

How to Apply

Follow these steps when the next Pioneering Women in STEM application cycle opens.

Step 1: Check the official scholarship announcement

Visit the Swedish Institute’s Pioneering Women in STEM page and review the eligibility criteria, benefits, participating countries and application schedule.

Step 2: Find an eligible master’s programme

Review the official eligible-programme list. Identify programmes that match your academic background and career goals, and confirm that the exact course is eligible for the scholarship.

Step 3: Review the university’s admission requirements

Read the selected university’s course page carefully. Confirm the academic qualifications, English-language requirements, application documents and deadlines.

Step 4: Apply for university admission

Submit your master’s programme application through the appropriate Swedish university admissions system and follow its instructions.

Keep your application details and any confirmation information for reference.

Step 5: Prepare your scholarship application

Read the Swedish Institute’s instructions for the applicable year. Gather the required documents and prepare accurate responses to the scholarship questions.

Step 6: Submit the scholarship application

When the scholarship application window opens, complete the separate application according to the official instructions. Ensure that you submit it before the published deadline.

Step 7: Monitor your email and application accounts

Check the email address used in your applications regularly for requests, updates, selection results and any further instructions from the Swedish Institute or university.

Step 8: Follow the award instructions

If selected, read the scholarship offer and its conditions carefully. Follow the instructions for accepting the award and completing any remaining university admission or enrolment requirements.

Conclusion

The Swedish Institute Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship offers women from eligible countries, including Nigeria, an opportunity to pursue master’s-level education in STEM fields in Sweden.

Applicants should begin by identifying an eligible master’s programme, checking the university’s admission requirements and preparing the documents needed for the university and scholarship applications.