Kvinnliga Akademikers Förening - Karolina Widerströms Scholarship/ women only

What you get

You will receive a one-off scholarship of about 30,000 SEK (roughly 2,650 EUR) to fund research or further study following your first degree. The exact amount varies from year to year, as it depends on the fund’s returns. In 2025, two grants of 30,000 SEK each were awarded. You may use the money for academic research, further education, attending a conference at which you present your own work, or for study visits that contribute to your qualifications. The funding comes from the Karolina Widerström Fund, which is managed by the Association of Female University Graduates (Kvinnliga Akademikers Förening, KAF) and is named after Sweden’s first female doctor.

Who can apply

• Women only: Only women may apply.
• Degree: You already hold an initial academic qualification (a Bachelor’s degree or higher).
• Field of study: Your project focuses primarily on medical or scientific issues. Priority is given to women in medicine and the natural sciences.
• Membership: You are a full member of one of the KAF’s regional branches, or you apply for membership by the deadline at the latest.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.

How to apply

Please complete the application form on the KAF website (maximum 3 A4 pages) and email it to the fund. You must not attach any other documents apart from the completed form. The deadline is 30 September each year.

How realistic are your chances?

The eligibility criteria for this award are narrowly defined: applicants must be women, hold a first university degree, be working on a project primarily in the fields of medicine or the natural sciences, and be members of the KAF. This keeps the pool of applicants small, meaning that a well-suited candidate stands a good chance of success. As only one or a few scholarships are awarded each year, a clear, well-thought-out project description is what sets applicants apart from the rest.