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SWEA - Swedish Womenâs Educational Association International, Inc.
SWEA International Intercultural Scholarship â supporting SWEAâs charitable and public-benefit purposes
SWEA International Intercultural Scholarship â supporting SWEAâs charitable and public-benefit purposes
The scholarship supports projects that strengthen and promote Swedish culture and traditions around the world, or the Swedish language.
The scholarship is intended to benefit the public and contribute to increasing knowledge and understanding of Sweden internationally.
The scholarship is intended for applicants who have completed at least three years of undergraduate studies at a university or university college in Sweden, or who have qualifications equivalent to a bachelorâs degree. Applicants must have established direct contact with an institution or university abroad in connection with their intercultural studies.
The scholarship is announced each autumn at universities and higher education institutions throughout Sweden. The Scholarship Committee reviews all applications to ensure that they are complete. The applications are then submitted to the jury, which selects the scholarship recipient for the year. The recipient is announced in conjunction with SWEA Internationalâs Annual Meeting, and the scholarship is presented at the SWEA Sweden Summer Days in August.
The Agneta and Gunnar Nilsson Scholarship for Studies of Intercultural Relations is highly regarded and valued by applicants from universities and higher education institutions as well as by the Swedish academic community. For the benefit of SWEAâs local chapters around the world, each scholarship recipient is expected to share their knowledge and experiences with the SWEA community.
The History Behind the Scholarship
The History Behind the Scholarship
When SWEA founder Agneta Nilsson turned 50, a scholarship fund was established to receive the proceeds of a birthday collection held in her honor.
A few years later, when SWEAâs Honorary President Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson, celebrated her 50th birthday, SWEAâs local chapters around the world presented her with a gift. This gift was also added to the scholarship fund. When Agnetaâs husband, Gunnar, passed away at the end of 2005, the fund received numerous donations in his memory.
Today, the scholarship is known as the Agneta and Gunnar Nilsson Scholarship for Studies of Intercultural Relations.
Applications Open for SWEA Internationalâs Intercultural Scholarship
Applications Open for SWEA Internationalâs Intercultural Scholarship
Scholarship amount: USD 15,000
Application period: September 15, 2026 â January 15, 2027
2026 Scholarship Recipient
2026 Scholarship Recipient
Ylva Vesterholm Receives SWEA Internationalâs Agneta and Gunnar Nilsson Scholarship for Studies of Intercultural Relations 2026
Ylva Vesterholm Receives SWEA Internationalâs Agneta and Gunnar Nilsson Scholarship for Studies of Intercultural Relations 2026
The USD 15,000 scholarship supports her studies in international security, economics, and global governance at Sciences Po in Paris and Bocconi University in Milan.
Scholarships over the years
Scholarships over the years
Welcome to explore the inspiring recipients who have received SWEA Internationalâs Intercultural Scholarship over the years.
Eligibility and Criteia
Eligibility and Criteia
The scholarship is open to all applicants, regardless of nationality, who meet the eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
Have completed at least three years of undergraduate studies at a Swedish university or university college, or hold qualifications equivalent to a bachelorâs degree.
Have concrete plans for their intercultural studies and have established contact with an institution or university abroad. This contact must be documented by a letter of acceptance, invitation letter, or equivalent documentation.
Be prepared to provide a brief account of how the scholarship will be used in connection with the scholarship award ceremony.
Be willing to give presentations to SWEA members in Sweden and abroad and to participate in SWEA Live. SWEA chapters inviting the scholarship recipient to speak will cover any necessary expenses.
Submit a report on how the scholarship funds have been used to the Chair of the Scholarship Committee no later than 31 March of the year following receipt of the scholarship. The Chair of the Committee will forward the report to the Treasurer of SWEA International.
Be aware that the scholarship may be reclaimed, in full or in part, if the payment is contrary to the terms and conditions, if the funds are not used as described in the application, or if incorrect information has been provided.
Not have been a SWEA member or actively involved in SWEA during the three years immediately preceding the year in which the application is submitted. In addition, no close relative or other closely connected person may have been a SWEA member during the three years immediately preceding the year of application. For these purposes, a closely connected person includes a spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner, child, stepchild, adopted child or grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, parent-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law, as well as any other person with whom the applicant has a close personal, financial, or professional relationship that could reasonably give rise to an actual or potential conflict of interest, such as a close friend, business partner, supervisor, or student.
Ensure that the application and all supporting documentation are received by the Scholarship Committee no later than 15 January.
Please note that incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Required Application Documents
Required Application Documents
The following documents must be submitted together with the completed application:
A curriculum vitae (CV)
Proof of completion of at least three years of undergraduate studies, or proof of qualifications equivalent to a bachelorâs degree as a masterâs student at a Swedish university or university college
A personal statement
Description of the studies: Background to the choice of further studies, current situation, a description of the intercultural component of the continued studies abroad, and the goals of the programme.
Proof of established contact with a university or higher education institution abroad, such as an invitation, proof of application, letter of acceptance, or equivalent documentation
An overview of other sources of study funding, together with a concrete plan for how the Intercultural Scholarship will be used
References from two referees
Selection process
Selection process
The applicantâs documents are treated confidentially by our independent jury.
The Scholarship Committee reviews the applications.
The jury makes a recommendation to the SWEA International Board of Directors.
The Board considers and makes the final decisions.
Decisions made by the SWEA International Board of Directors cannot be appealed.
The recipient and all other applicants are notified of the decision during March.
SWEA International may publish the names of scholarship recipients and information about their projects through SWEAâs communication channels and press releases.
SWEA International reserves the right not to award the scholarship if the jury does not find a suitable candidate.
These guidelines may be amended by the Board of Directors but must always comply with the organizationâs public-benefit purpose and the rules governing tax-exempt organizations under IRC §501(c)(3).
Important dates
Important dates
16 september 2026: Application opens
15 januari 2027: Application closes
mars 2027: Announcement
september 2027: Award ceremony at SWEA Sverige Sommardagarna (Stockholm, Göteborg, Helsingborg eller Malmö)
mars 2028: Presentation of the usage of scholarship
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