Scholarship
The Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland, is offering the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship for Afghan Women for the 2027–2028 academic year. The scholarship is intended for talented Afghan women who hold a university degree and wish to pursue a two-year master’s degree at the Geneva Graduate Institute, particularly in fields related to international relations and development.
The Institute offers an interdisciplinary Master in International and Development Studies (MINT) as well as disciplinary master's programmes in areas including International Relations/Political Science, International History and Politics, International Law, International Economics, and Anthropology and Sociology.
Applicants should carefully review the available programmes and identify the one that best matches their academic background and future goals.
Scholarship Benefits
CHF 25,000 per year
Scholarship duration: two years
Renewal for the second year is subject to satisfactory academic progress and submission of a first-year report demonstrating academic success.
Who Should Consider Applying?
This opportunity is particularly relevant to Afghan women who:
Hold a university degree and are interested in pursuing graduate studies.
Have a strong academic background and a clear motivation for further study.
Can demonstrate financial need.
Can explain how their proposed master’s degree fits into their future academic or professional plans.
Are interested in fields such as international affairs, development, international relations, politics, law, economics, history, or related disciplines.
Documents Required for the Scholarship Application
Applicants are asked to submit:
Motivation letter explaining:
Why you are applying for the scholarship;
Which Geneva Graduate Institute master's programme you wish to pursue and why;
Your financial need; and
Your plans after graduation.
Curriculum vitae (CV)
University diplomas and other qualifications
Official academic transcripts, including coursework, grades, and credits.
Important Deadlines
Scholarship application deadline:
26 October 2026 at 11:59 PM
If selected by the scholarship committee, the candidate must subsequently submit the formal application to the Geneva Graduate Institute by 15 January 2027. At that stage, an English-proficiency certificate and two academic references are required.
How to Apply
The first step is to apply for the scholarship through the application process provided by the Geneva Graduate Institute.
Applicants should read the official announcement carefully and prepare their academic documents and motivation letter well before the deadline.
Official scholarship announcement and application information:
https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/afghan-scholarships
The Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship, flyer:
https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/sites/internet/files/2026-09/2026.09.08_MRNL-Scholarship-AfghanWomen-WEB.pdf
Important Note
The scholarship application is separate from the subsequent application to the Geneva Graduate Institute. Candidates selected by the scholarship committee will then proceed with the Institute's master's admission process.
Applicants should also carefully check the official scholarship announcement and programme-specific admission requirements before submitting their application.