Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship 2027- 2028

The Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship for Afghan Women 2027 to 2028 is an opportunity for talented Afghan women with a university degree to pursue postgraduate studies in international relations and development at the Geneva Graduate Institute in Switzerland.

Established in memory of Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada, the scholarship aims to support Afghan women seeking to strengthen their academic knowledge and professional prospects through graduate education. The programme is particularly relevant in the context of restrictions on women’s access to higher education in Afghanistan and is intended to expand opportunities for Afghan women to continue their studies abroad.

Successful applicants will enrol in a two year master programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute. The scholarship provides CHF 25,000 per year and is renewable for the second year subject to satisfactory academic progress. Scholarship beneficiaries are required to prepare a report at the end of their first year demonstrating their progress and success.

About the Scholarship

The Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship was established to help talented Afghan women develop advanced knowledge in international relations and development. The scholarship is administered in connection with the Geneva Graduate Institute and supports recipients through a two year master programme.

The programme can provide an opportunity for successful candidates to develop expertise relevant to academic and diplomatic careers, international and non governmental organisations, and international corporate environments.

Applicants first apply for the scholarship through the designated scholarship process. A selected scholarship candidate must then apply separately to a suitable master programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute and receive admission. The scholarship selection and university admission procedures are independent.

Scholarship Benefits

• CHF 25,000 scholarship per year

• Two years of scholarship support

• Opportunity to pursue a master programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute

• Graduate level study in fields related to international relations and development

• Opportunity to develop academic and professional expertise in an international environment

• Support for Afghan women pursuing higher education abroad

Eligibility Criteria

• Open exclusively to Afghan women

• Applicants must hold a university degree

• Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Geneva Graduate Institute

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification is required for admission to the Institute’s master programmes

• The previous degree should be in a discipline relevant to the selected master programme

• Applicants must meet the Institute’s language requirements

• An English proficiency certificate is required at the Institute application stage

• Two academic references are required at the Institute application stage

• Applicants should demonstrate a clear academic and professional interest in their proposed field of study

Required Application Materials

Applicants for the scholarship should prepare:

• Motivation letter explaining why they are applying for the scholarship

• Motivation letter identifying the Geneva Graduate Institute master programme they wish to pursue

• Explanation of why they selected the Institute and programme

• Statement of financial needs

• Explanation of post graduation plans

• Curriculum vitae

• Copies of university diplomas and qualifications obtained

• Official academic transcripts showing coursework, grades and credit values

Scholarship Renewal

The Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship is awarded for two years. Renewal for the second year depends on satisfactory academic progress.

At the end of the first year, the scholarship beneficiary must prepare a report providing evidence of their academic success. The scholarship is then renewed based on the review of this progress.

The scholarship amount is CHF 25,000 per year. Official scholarship materials describe the award as supporting living costs and tuition fees.

How to Apply

1. Review the scholarship requirements and identify a suitable master programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
2. Prepare a motivation letter explaining your reasons for applying, your preferred master programme, reasons for choosing the Institute, financial needs and post graduation plans.
3. Prepare your curriculum vitae, university diplomas, qualifications and official academic transcripts.
4. Submit the scholarship application and required documents through the designated application process before the October 26, 2026 deadline.
5. If selected for the scholarship, complete the separate application for admission to the Geneva Graduate Institute.
6. Prepare the English proficiency certificate and two academic references required for the Institute application.
7. Complete the Institute admission process and await the final admission decision.