The Swedish Institute (SI) and the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (SIDA) are launching a new scholarship programme aimed at master's level students from fourteen countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The following are the main features of the programme:

• Grants are intended for studies in democracy (including equality), environmental issues and energy, and business;
• Students from some of the countries will also be eligible for grants to study health and social issues, agriculture, and forestry;
• The programme is open for applicants from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan and Ukraine;
• The scholarships will be awarded to approximately 100 students for up to two years of studies in Sweden.

The programme will run for five years, beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year. The programme is funded by SIDA and administered by SI.