Graduate Institute Geneva (IHEID) Scholarship
The Geneva Graduate Institute (Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement, IHEID) is a world-leading postgraduate institution for international affairs, development studies, international law, international economics, and political science, located beside the UN and other international organisations in Geneva. It offers a substantial scholarship budget for admitted Master's and PhD students, ranging from full tuition waivers to combined tuition-plus-living-stipend packages, awarded on a mix of merit and financial need. For Sri Lankan graduates aiming at careers in diplomacy, development, human rights, trade, or international organisations, IHEID is one of the most prestigious funded routes in Europe — and its Geneva location offers unmatched access to the UN system. Scholarship amounts, coverage tiers and deadlines are set each admission cycle, so confirm the current terms on the IHEID website; applying early and completing the financial-need section carefully is important.
2027/28 intake: Master's/PhD admission with scholarship consideration typically closes around 15 January 2027 — confirm on graduateinstitute.ch
Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Tuition + Partial Living Stipend
Level
Master's / PhD
Basis
Merit & Financial Need
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
Tuition + Partial Living Stipend (Need & Merit). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
International Applicant
Open to international students admitted to an IHEID Master's or PhD. Sri Lankan applicants are eligible; scholarships are especially aimed at talented students who could not otherwise afford to study in Geneva.
Strong Academic Record
A first-class or strong upper-second Bachelor's (for Master's applicants) or a strong Master's plus research proposal (for PhD applicants) in a relevant field, from a recognised Sri Lankan university.
Demonstrated Financial Need
Many IHEID scholarships weigh financial need alongside merit. Applicants must complete the financial-need section honestly and provide supporting documentation to be considered for the larger packages.
Language Proficiency
IHEID is bilingual (English/French); most Master's can be completed in English but require strong English (IELTS ~7.0). Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degrees may qualify via an MOI/exemption route — confirm with admissions.
account_tree Application Process
Apply for admission with scholarship request
Submit your IHEID admission application, ticking the scholarship option and completing the financial-need and motivation sections, with transcripts, CV, references and (for PhD) a research proposal.
Single combined deadline
Meet the main admission deadline (around mid-January), which also serves as the scholarship deadline — late applications are generally not considered for funding.
Selection
IHEID's committees assess admission and scholarship together, awarding tiered packages based on merit and need, and notify candidates in the spring.
Accept and apply for the Swiss visa
Accept your place and scholarship, then apply for the Swiss student visa (national D visa) via the Swiss representation covering Sri Lanka, using your admission, scholarship letter and financial evidence.
Why the Geneva Graduate Institute?
IHEID is among the world's top institutions for international affairs and development, embedded in Geneva's dense ecosystem of UN agencies, NGOs and multilateral bodies. Its generous need- and merit-based scholarships make this elite environment genuinely reachable for talented Sri Lankan graduates.
Geneva
Heart of the UN System
Top 10
Global Development Studies
Need+Merit
Scholarship Basis
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat CH actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for CH, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar Scholarships
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