The Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship for Afghan Women is now accepting applications for the 2027–2028 academic year, offering an important postgraduate study opportunity for talented Afghan women who hold a university degree and wish to advance their knowledge in international relations and development.

The scholarship is offered in memory of Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada and supports successful candidates to undertake a two-year master’s programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute in Switzerland. The scholarship provides CHF 25,000 per year, making it a substantial source of financial support for an eligible scholar pursuing graduate education abroad.

The application deadline for the scholarship is 11:59 PM on October 26, 2026.

Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship for Afghan Women

The Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship was established to support talented Afghan women with university-level education who want to further their academic knowledge and professional opportunities in the fields of international relations and development.

Successful scholarship beneficiaries will enrol in a two-year master’s programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute, a graduate institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. The scholarship is specifically designed around the educational needs and circumstances of Afghan women and seeks to expand opportunities for them to pursue university education abroad.

The Geneva Graduate Institute states that its master’s programmes can provide pathways toward careers in areas such as academia, diplomacy, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and international corporate organisations.

Scholarship Details at a Glance

The scholarship itself is awarded for two years. However, continuation into the second year is subject to the beneficiary preparing a report at the end of the first year and providing evidence of successful academic progress. The scholarship is then renewed based on this review.

What Is the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship?

The scholarship was created in memory of Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada (18 March 1954–2 February 2022). According to the Geneva Graduate Institute, Maria Rosario was a high school teacher of history and literature who graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of Milan with a degree in the History of Christianity.

Her academic interests included the condition of women. Her university thesis on witchcraft later developed into the book La Stregoneria, written with historians S. Abbiati and A. Agnoletto and published by Mondadori in 1984. The book examined persecution between the 13th and 17th centuries and was based on historical trial documents.

Her commitment to women’s education also extended beyond academic research.

In 2005, Maria Rosario played a major role in establishing the Comitato Arghosha Faraway Schools, a charity focused on women’s education in Afghanistan. The organisation subsequently supported the construction of 15 schools serving approximately 8,000 pupils from grades 1 to 12. According to the Geneva Graduate Institute, approximately 5,500 of these pupils were girls, while 10 of the schools were built specifically for girls who had little or no access to educational facilities.

The organisation also supported:

• Literacy courses for approximately 500 adult women.
• 28 university scholarships for talented girls at universities in Kabul.
• The development and implementation of educational initiatives in different parts of Afghanistan.

Until 2019, Maria Rosario reportedly travelled to Afghanistan each year to assess the implementation of projects and help plan future initiatives.

The scholarship therefore continues a broader legacy centred on education and opportunities for Afghan women.

What Does the Scholarship Offer?

One of the most significant features of this opportunity is its financial support.

CHF 25,000 per year

The Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship provides an annual scholarship amount of 25,000 Swiss francs. Since the scholarship is structured as a two-year award, it can provide substantial financial assistance throughout the master’s programme, subject to renewal for the second year.

The scholarship is particularly significant because it is designed to support eligible Afghan women pursuing postgraduate education outside Afghanistan.

Two years of master’s-level study

Successful candidates will undertake a two-year master’s programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute. The scholarship is therefore intended for candidates seeking advanced academic training rather than short-term training or undergraduate education.

Academic and professional development

The opportunity is focused on strengthening knowledge in international relations and development. The Institute notes that master’s-level education can create pathways into academic and diplomatic careers as well as employment with international organisations, non-governmental organisations and international companies.

Who Can Apply for the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship?

The scholarship is specifically intended for Afghan women who already hold a university degree and wish to pursue master’s-level studies.

The official scholarship description identifies the target applicants as talented Afghan women with a university degree who want to improve their knowledge in international relations and development.

Basic eligibility profile

Applicants should therefore fall within the following broad category:

1. Women applicants
2. Afghan applicants
3. Applicants who hold a university degree
4. Applicants interested in pursuing master’s-level study
5. Applicants seeking further academic development in areas connected to international relations and development
6. Applicants who can prepare the required scholarship application documentation.
7. Applicants who, if selected by the scholarship committee, can subsequently complete the Geneva Graduate Institute admission process.

The official scholarship information does not state a particular race requirement. The eligibility criterion is specifically framed around being an Afghan woman, rather than race. In geographic terms, the opportunity is therefore targeted specifically at Afghan women, rather than being a scholarship open to women from all African, Asian, European or other continents.

There is also no age limit stated in the scholarship information provided by the Geneva Graduate Institute.

What Documents Are Required?

Applicants need to prepare several important documents before submitting their scholarship application.

According to the official 2027–2028 scholarship flyer, applicants must include:

1. Motivation letter

The motivation letter should explain several important aspects of the applicant’s plans.

It should cover:

• Why the applicant is applying for the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship.
• Which Geneva Graduate Institute master’s programme the applicant wants to pursue.
• Why the applicant has selected the Geneva Graduate Institute.
• The applicant’s financial needs.
• The applicant’s plans after graduation.

A strong motivation letter should therefore connect the applicant’s educational background, proposed master’s programme, career objectives and financial circumstances in a coherent way.

2. Curriculum vitae

Applicants must submit a CV outlining their academic background, professional experience, relevant skills, achievements and other qualifications.

3. University diplomas and qualifications

Applicants must provide copies of their university diplomas and qualifications obtained.

This is particularly important because the scholarship is designed for women who already possess university-level education and are seeking postgraduate study.

4. Official academic transcripts

Applicants must also submit official academic transcripts showing their coursework, grades and the corresponding credit values.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their academic records are available before beginning the application process.

What Happens After the Scholarship Application?

The scholarship process has an important second stage.

The scholarship’s Steering Committee reviews applications and contacts candidates regarding the scholarship decision. The committee is composed of representatives from the Association Arghosha, the Geneva Graduate Institute and people of Afghan origin or with close ties to Afghanistan.

Importantly, being selected for the scholarship does not end the process.

The selected candidate must apply to the Geneva Graduate Institute

The scholarship’s Steering Committee will help prepare the successful candidate’s application file for the Geneva Graduate Institute.

The selected candidate must then apply to the Institute by January 15. The scholarship flyer specifically notes that the late application round does not apply to this process.

At this stage, the candidate will need to provide:

• An English proficiency certificate.
• Two academic references.

These are requested as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute application process.

Applicants with questions about study programmes or admission can contact the Geneva Graduate Institute through the admissions contact provided in the official information.

Important Application Deadlines

Applicants should pay close attention to the distinction between the scholarship application deadline and the subsequent Geneva Graduate Institute application deadline.

Scholarship application deadline

The deadline to submit the scholarship application is

October 26, 2026, at 11:59 PM (midnight).

Applicants should not wait until the final day if they still need to obtain transcripts, diplomas or other supporting documents.

Geneva Graduate Institute application deadline

After the Steering Committee selects its candidate, that candidate must submit the application to the Geneva Graduate Institute by:

January 15.

The Institute application is a separate stage and includes additional requirements, including an English proficiency certificate and two academic references.

Why This Opportunity Is Relevant to International Relations and Development Students

The scholarship is particularly relevant to Afghan women who want to develop careers connected to international affairs, diplomacy, development, international organisations or related fields.

A master’s degree from the Geneva Graduate Institute can provide advanced academic exposure to international issues and development-related subjects. The Institute itself identifies potential career pathways including academic and diplomatic careers, international and non-governmental organisations, and international corporate companies.

For an applicant interested in international relations, development, diplomacy or global affairs, the opportunity combines postgraduate study with an international academic environment in Geneva.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants can improve the clarity of their applications by preparing each component carefully.

1. Research the master’s programme

Before writing the motivation letter, applicants should identify the specific master’s programme they want to pursue at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

The application asks candidates to explain which programme they would like to apply to and why they chose the Institute.

The motivation letter should therefore demonstrate that the applicant has a clear academic direction.

2. Explain the connection between education and career goals.

Applicants should clearly demonstrate how the proposed master’s programme fits into their longer-term professional plans.

For example, the application can explain how advanced study could contribute to the applicant’s ambitions in:

• International relations
• Diplomacy
• International development
• International organisations
• Non-governmental organisations
• Academia
• International business or corporate organisations

These areas correspond with career pathways identified by the Geneva Graduate Institute.

3. Address financial need clearly.

Financial need is explicitly listed among the issues that applicants should address in their motivation letter.

Applicants should therefore explain their circumstances clearly and factually rather than treating financial need as a secondary part of the application.

4. Prepare academic records early.

Because the application requires university diplomas, qualifications and official transcripts, applicants should begin collecting these documents before the deadline.

This is particularly important where obtaining official transcripts or certified academic documents takes time.

5. Prepare for the second-stage admission process.

Applicants should also understand that scholarship selection and university admission are connected but distinct stages.

The selected scholarship candidate will subsequently need to apply to the Geneva Graduate Institute and provide an English proficiency certificate and two academic references.

Preparing these materials early can help avoid delays later in the process.

Application Process

The application process can be understood in two main stages.

Stage 1: Apply for the scholarship

Applicants submit their scholarship application with:

1. Motivation letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copies of university diplomas and qualifications
4. Official academic transcripts

The scholarship application must be submitted by 11:59 PM on October 26, 2026.

Stage 2: Apply to the Geneva Graduate Institute

The Steering Committee reviews applications and selects its candidate. The selected candidate then proceeds with the Geneva Graduate Institute application.

That application must be submitted by January 15 and requires an English proficiency certificate and two academic references.

Applicants should therefore view the process as a sequence rather than assuming that submission of the scholarship application automatically completes the university admission process.

About the Geneva Graduate Institute

The Geneva Graduate Institute is a postgraduate institution based in Geneva, Switzerland, with an academic focus that includes international affairs and development.

The scholarship specifically places successful candidates into a two-year master’s programme at the Institute.

For Afghan women seeking to pursue postgraduate education internationally, the programme provides an opportunity to study in a major international city and develop knowledge relevant to global affairs and development.

Application Link

Eligible applicants interested in the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship for Afghan Women should submit their scholarship application through the official application form.

Apply for the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship

Applicants can also review the official scholarship information and application requirements through the Geneva Graduate Institute.

APPLY HERE

Key Facts About the Opportunity

• Opportunity: Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship for Afghan Women
• Academic year: 2027–2028
• Study level: Master’s degree
• Duration: Two years
• Institution: Geneva Graduate Institute
• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Scholarship value: CHF 25,000 annually
• Target applicants: Talented Afghan women with a university degree
• Academic focus: International relations and development
• Scholarship application deadline: October 26, 2026, at 11:59 PM
• Subsequent Institute application deadline for the selected candidate: January 15
• Required scholarship documents: Motivation letter, CV, university diplomas/qualifications and official academic transcripts
• Additional Institute-stage requirements: English proficiency certificate and two academic references
• Programme: Two-year master’s programme
• Renewal: Second-year scholarship continuation depends on satisfactory academic progress and submission of the required first-year report.

Visit HERE for more information about the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship for Afghan Women 2027–2028.

Conclusion

The Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship for Afghan Women 2027–2028 offers a significant postgraduate education opportunity for eligible Afghan women who hold a university degree and want to advance their academic and professional knowledge in international relations and development.

The scholarship provides CHF 25,000 per year for a two-year master’s programme, subject to the conditions for renewal in the second year. Beyond the financial support, the opportunity provides access to postgraduate study at the Geneva Graduate Institute and an international academic environment in Geneva.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the October 26, 2026, deadline, ensure that all required academic documents are ready, and prepare a strong motivation letter addressing their chosen master’s programme, reasons for selecting the Institute, financial circumstances and plans after graduation.

For the selected scholarship candidate, the process continues with a separate Geneva Graduate Institute application by January 15, including an English proficiency certificate and two academic references.

For Afghan women who meet the stated requirements and are seeking postgraduate education in international relations, development or related areas, this scholarship represents an opportunity to pursue a two-year master’s education in Geneva with substantial annual financial support.

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