Call for Applications: Women 4 Water – Swarovski Foundation Scholarships 2026/2027

Application Deadlines: July 12, 2026

About the Scholarships

The Swarovski Foundation, through its Women 4 Water initiative, is pleased to offer three full scholarships dedicated to empowering female applicants aspiring to make a significant impact in the water sector. These scholarships are available to women who have been academically admitted to the upcoming one-year MSc programme in Water and Sustainable Development, which is set to commence in November 2026. This initiative is part of the Swarovski Foundation’s broader commitment to promoting gender equity and fostering leadership among women in fields critical to sustainable development. Recognizing the vital role women play in addressing water-related challenges, the Women 4 Water programme aims to support female candidates from low- and middle-income countries who demonstrate a strong commitment to applying their knowledge and skills in their home communities after completing their studies. The scholarship not only covers full tuition fees but also encourages recipients to return to their countries to implement innovative solutions, influence policy, and lead initiatives that improve water access, management, and sustainability. By focusing on women from underserved regions, the initiative seeks to bridge gender gaps, empower women as change-makers, and promote inclusive leadership in the water sector. Through this targeted support, the Swarovski Foundation aims to contribute to building a new generation of women leaders who will drive positive change, advance water security, and promote sustainable development globally. The programme underscores the importance of gender diversity in tackling complex environmental and social challenges and demonstrates a commitment to creating equitable opportunities for women worldwide.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered, candidates must:

• Be a female candidate
• Be a national of a low- or middle-income country, living and working there
• Commit to returning to such a country after the programme
• Have unconditional academic admission to the one-year MSc in Water and Sustainable Development by July 12, 2026
• Have selected the Water Resources and Ecosystem Health track in their application
• Have indicated either Environment or Digital Innovation and Hydroinformatics as their preferred profile

Applicants who have been granted conditional admission are not eligible for this scholarship. Applicants who have already been awarded a scholarship from another source will not be considered.

Priority Criteria

Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate an interest in integrating technical skills (like GIS, remote sensing, and AI) with systems thinking on water and biodiversity. Projects related to nature-based solutions, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation are highly valued.

Priority areas include:

• Biodiversity and innovation
• Technical skills: GIS, remote sensing, AI, environmental modelling
• Biodiversity focus: Wetlands, aquatic ecosystems, river basin ecology

Possible thesis topics: Nature-based solutions, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity monitoring, environmental flows, climate adaptation.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers:

• Full tuition fees
• Living expenses during the study period
• Other costs associated with the MSc programme

Application Procedure

Step 1: Apply for admission to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft by July 1, 2026.

Step 2: All eligible applicants with unconditional admission by July 12, 2026, will be considered in the first selection round.

Step 3: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to complete a brief scholarship application form.

Step 4: Finalists may be invited for an interview.

Step 5: Following the interviews, three candidates will be selected to receive the scholarship award.

Important: Please do not send an email to IHE Delft requesting consideration for this scholarship. All applicants will be assessed exclusively through the procedure described above.

How to Apply

First, apply for academic admission to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft.

Application Link:  Click here to apply

Application Deadlines

• Academic Admission Deadline: July 1, 2026
• Unconditional Admission Deadline: July 12, 2026

Why This Scholarship Matters

Women are significantly underrepresented in the water sector globally, particularly in leadership positions and technical roles. At the same time, water scarcity, ecosystem degradation, and climate change disproportionately affect women and girls in low- and middle-income countries. The Women 4 Water – Swarovski Foundation Scholarships address these gaps by:

• Providing three full scholarships for women from low- and middle-income countries
• Focusing on the intersection of water resources and ecosystem health
• Prioritizing applicants with technical skills in GIS, remote sensing, AI, and environmental modelling
• Emphasizing innovation and interdisciplinary approaches to water challenges
• Requiring a commitment to return to a low- or middle-income country to apply acquired knowledge and skills

For women water professionals from low- and middle-income countries with a background in environment or digital innovation, this scholarship offers a fully funded pathway to a world-class MSc at IHE Delft, the largest water education institution in the world.

For More Information: Visit the Official IHE Delft Women 4 Water Scholarship Page