The Swedish Institute (SI) offers full-time traineeships at selected Swedish companies abroad for eligibe international master’s students and recent alumni who studied in Sweden.
The 2026 programme covers 15 countries and provides a monthly scholarship, with a 15,000 SEK travel grant for eligible participants currently residing in Sweden.
The programme is designed to help participants apply their Swedish education in a practical professional setting while developing connections with Swedish companies, embassies and local business networks.
Swedish Institute Traineeship Programme at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Traineeship opportunities at Swedish companies abroad |
| Organisation | Swedish Institute (SI) |
| Opportunity type | Full-time traineeship |
| Eligible applicants | Current and former international master’s students in Sweden |
| Current students | Must complete their master’s degree by summer 2026 |
| Former students | Must have graduated from a Swedish master’s programme in 2023 or later |
| Eligible countries | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Vietnam |
| Duration | Up to 6 months |
| Traineeship period | August 2026 to January 2027 |
| Monthly support | Scholarship; amount varies by country |
| Travel grant | 15,000 SEK for those residing in Sweden and travelling home |
| Accommodation | Arranged by the trainee |
| Applications | One traineeship only |
| Location rule | Must be in the applicant’s country of citizenship |
| Application period | 10 March–23 April 2026 |
| Expected selection notification | End of May/early June 2026 |
Who Is Eligible for the 2026 Swedish Institute Traineeships?
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility conditions and the specific requirements of the traineeship they select.
There are two main applicant groups. Current international students must be completing their master’s degree in Sweden by summer 2026 and must graduate on time. Former international students can apply if they studied in Sweden and graduated in 2023 or later.
In addition, applicants must:
- Hold citizenship in one of the 15 eligible programme countries.
- Match the academic and professional requirements of the selected traineeship.
- Be able to complete a full-time traineeship of up to six months between August 2026 and January 2027.
- Finish the traineeship no later than 31 January 2027.
- Explain clearly how the traineeship relates to their academic background and future career plans.
The programme countries are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Vietnam.
Importantly, applicants cannot choose a traineeship in any programme country. The position must be offered in their country of citizenship, and each applicant can submit an application for only one traineeship.
What Does the Traineeship Offer?
The traineeships are intended to connect academic learning with practical professional experience. Participants work on tasks and projects related to their academic field and longer-term career ambitions.
Each trainee is assigned a supervisor who provides local support and acts as the main contact point with the Swedish Embassy and the Swedish Institute.
This makes the programme more than a short workplace placement. Its stated purpose is also to help current and future Sweden alumni build longer-term relationships with Swedish organisations operating in their home countries.
The specific work, however, depends on the individual traineeship available in each country. Applicants should therefore review the position associated with their country before applying.
Scholarship, Travel Grant and Accommodation
The Swedish Institute provides monthly scholarship payments to trainees. The exact scholarship amount is different from country to country and follows the local traineeship level.
According to the programme information, the monthly payments will be transferred in one payment at the end of August or the beginning of September, preferably to a Swedish bank account.
Participants currently residing in Sweden who travel back to their home country for the traineeship also receive a one-time travel grant of 15,000 SEK.
Accommodation is not arranged by SI. Trainees are responsible for finding their own accommodation, and the institute recommends beginning this planning as early as possible.
What Documents Are Required?
The application requires applicants to provide documentation proving their nationality, education status and, where applicable, their SI scholarship history.
All applicants need:
- A copy of their passport showing nationality.
- A CV using the Swedish Institute’s specified CV template.
Current international students must also provide an updated transcript of records in the form of a LADOK electronic PDF printout.
Former international students must provide a copy of their Swedish degree. Former students who previously received an SI scholarship must additionally submit a copy of the Swedish degree for which they received the scholarship and a copy of their SI scholarship offer.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
How the Swedish Institute Traineeship Application Process Works
The application process has three main stages.
1. Submit the application
Applicants select their country of citizenship in the application portal and review the traineeships available there. They can then access the relevant application form.
Only one traineeship application is permitted, and the selected traineeship must be located in the applicant’s country of citizenship.
The stated application period was 10 March to 23 April 2026.
2. Selection by the companies
After the application deadline, the Swedish Institute reviews the applications and shares them with the participating companies. The companies make the final selection.
Some companies may ask applicants to participate in an interview. If an interview is required, the company contacts the applicant directly.
Where several applicants apply for the same traineeship, priority is given to SI scholarship holders who match the profile requested by the company.
Successful applicants are expected to receive their offers by the end of May or early June.
3. Begin the traineeship
The traineeships are scheduled to start in August 2026 and must finish no later than 31 January 2027.
After receiving an offer, successful applicants are given a contact person at the company who can provide further information about the traineeship.
Is the Swedish Institute Traineeship Application Still Open?
No. The official programme page currently states “Application closed.” The published 2026 application period ran from March to April 2026, so this round is no longer accepting applications.
The programme information states that eligible applicants who were unable to apply because they did not meet the graduation timing requirement could try again in the following year’s application round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a current student apply if they will not graduate by June 2026?
No. Current international students must complete their Swedish master’s degree by summer 2026. The Swedish Institute specifically states that students who do not graduate within the required timeframe are not eligible for this application round.
Can a former Swedish student apply if they graduated later than originally planned?
Yes a former student can still apply if they have received their degree from their Swedish university and meet all other eligibility requirements.
Can I apply for a traineeship in another eligible country?
No. You can apply for only one traineeship, and it must be offered in your country of citizenship.
Do trainees receive financial support?
Yes. The Swedish Institute provides a monthly scholarship, with the amount varying according to the country and local traineeship level. A one-time 15,000 SEK travel grant is also available to those residing in Sweden who travel back to their home country for the traineeship.
Does the Swedish Institute provide accommodation?
No. Trainees are responsible for arranging their own accommodation during the placement.
What is the maximum traineeship period?
The traineeship can last for up to six months and must take place between August 2026 and January 2027, ending no later than 31 January 2027.
