Finansförbundet - Financial Sector Union essay scholarship

Financial Sector Union essay scholarship

You will receive a one-off prize of 20,000 SEK (about 1,770 EUR) for a university dissertation you have already written on the topic of equality and diversity. One dissertation is awarded the prize each year. The prize is awarded by the joint committee for equality and diversity set up by the Swedish Financial Services Union ‘Finansförbundet’ and the banking sector employers’ organisation ‘Finansarbetsgivarna’. The aim is to promote new ways of thinking on the subject of equality and diversity in the banking and finance sector.

Who can apply

• Your thesis topic: Your dissertation deals with equality or diversity in relation to at least one of the seven grounds of discrimination recognised in Sweden: gender, gender identity or gender expression, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation or age.
• Level: The dissertation is of university standard.
• Timing: Your final thesis was approved within one year prior to the year of your application. If you are applying in August 2025, approval must have been granted by August 2024 at the latest.
• Finance link: A connection to banking and finance helps but is not required.
• Membership: You do not need to be a member of Finansförbundet.
• Nationality and field: Applicants of all nationalities and from all disciplines are welcome to apply, provided their final thesis is on the subject of equality and diversity.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the Finansarbetsgivarna website between 1 June and 15 August each year. By submitting your application, you agree that your thesis may be disseminated and published through the organisation’s channels. The winners will be asked to present their work to invited guests from the banking and finance sector.

How realistic are your chances?

Only one final-year dissertation is awarded the prize each year, so it is a highly competitive award. However, the topic is narrowly defined. Your thesis must clearly address equality or diversity in relation to one of the seven grounds for discrimination and must be topical. If your completed thesis fits this focus well – particularly if it relates to the financial sector – you will be competing within a small, clearly defined field rather than against all students.