Students Photo: Image Bank Sweden
The scholarship application call for the academic year 2017/2018 is open from 1 November 2016 to 10 January 2017.
The SI Scholarships for the Western Balkans Programme aims at supporting advanced level studies and research within the field of social sciences in order to forge closer links between the Western Balkans and the European Union, and to contribute to strengthened democracy in the region.
The programme offers about 4 scholarships for the year 2017/2018 for part of PhD studies and postdoctoral research in Sweden.
Countries
The SI Scholarships for the Western Balkans Programme is open to candidates from the following countries: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro and Serbia.
Who are we looking for?
The SI Scholarships for the Western Balkans Programme is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and administered by the Swedish Institute (SI). The programme offers a unique opportunity for future leaders to develop professionally and academically, to experience Swedish society and culture, and to build a long-lasting relationship with Sweden and with each other.
The programme aims to contribute to closer relations between the Western Balkans and the EU through the promotion of democratic development in the region. Ideal candidates are ambitious young professionals with outstanding academic qualifications and a clear idea of how a research period in Sweden would benefit their country.
Who is eligible?
The scholarships are intended for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro and Serbia conducting part of their studies/research in Sweden within the field of social sciences with a special focus on any of the following thematic areas:
- democratic accountability
- gender equality, anti-discrimination
- human rights, tolerance, minority groups
- independent media
- pluralistic civil society
- rule of law
- transparency, anti-corruption
Candidates belonging to any of the following categories may apply:
PhD student, applying for a part of his/her ongoing PhD studies to be carried out in Sweden (12 months maximum).
Postdoctoral researcher, with priority given to holders of a PhD degree from 2012 or later (12 months maximum).
A scholarship cannot be granted to an applicant who:
- has already lived in Sweden for two or more years when the scholarship period is due to begin.
- already has a Swedish permanent residence permit.
- has a Swedish work permit.
- is applying for a scholarship at PhD level but is not enrolled in ongoing PhD studies at your home university.
- is applying for a scholarship at postdoctoral level, but does not hold any PhD degree.
- has already been awarded three or more grants from SI.
- has a dual citizenship from countries not listed on the DAC list of ODA recipients.
Scholarship benefits
The scholarship is free of tax and amounts to SEK 15,000 per month for PhD students and SEK 18,000 per month for postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists. The scholarship cannot be prolonged or extended.
For more details read here.
