Göteborgs Köpmannaförbund - Sten-Olof Palm scholarship

Sten-Olof Palm scholarship

You will receive a one-year paid placement in Washington, D.C., as well as 300,000 SEK (about 26,500 EUR) to cover your living expenses. The money will be paid out over the 12 months of the placement, which runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027. You will spend the year at the Swedish American Chambers of Commerce (SACC-USA), the umbrella organisation for 19 regional chambers of commerce in the United States. You will work in the areas of marketing, business development and project management. Your responsibilities will include liaising on a daily basis with the regional chambers of commerce and over 2,300 members, organising events and campaigns, tracking sales, and assisting the President of SACC-USA. The scholarship is funded by the Göteborgs Köpmannaförbund, the Gothenburg Merchants’ Association.

Who can apply

• Degree: You hold a Bachelor’s degree (Kandidatexamen) from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, having achieved good results. You completed your Bachelor’s thesis in the spring or autumn of 2025, and your degree programme is complete at the time of your application.
• Or as a master's student: You wrote your bachelor thesis earlier and are now in the final term of a two-year master's programme or MATIX at the same school.
• Field: You are studying business administration (företagsekonomi) and have a keen interest in commerce and the retail sector.
• Swedish: You speak and write Swedish fluently, as much of the work is carried out in Swedish.
• English: You speak and write English well.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality may apply, provided they speak Swedish fluently and are eligible for a US visa.
• Experience: You should have an interest in and experience of the wholesale or retail sector. Previous work experience is an advantage.

How to apply

Please apply by email to the Centre for Retailing by 23 April 2026, including a personal statement written in Swedish. In May 2026, you will be informed whether you have been invited to an interview. The final decision will be based on this interview as well as on the assessments of academics and industry experts.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is cut very narrowly: you must study business administration at one specific Gothenburg school, speak fluent Swedish and fit a tight thesis timeline. That keeps the eligible group small. If you clearly meet those conditions and can show real interest and experience in trade, your prospects are good. A single high-profile placement draws motivated applicants, so a strong, well-evidenced application matters.