We are committed to improving access to our courses by offering a limited number of scholarships and highlighting other potential sources of funding. These opportunities aim to support professionals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from low- and middle-income countries, and to encourage inclusive participation in our programmes.

Scholarship programme for the Master of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Action (MAS)

Our scholarship programme for the Master of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Action (MAS) aims to provide access to our training for humanitarian professionals by removing barriers. Through these scholarships, we foster a diverse classroom environment that reflects the various working environments our students come from. This diversity creates valuable opportunities to enhance essential skills such as negotiation and listening, which are crucial for successful project and people management.

Each year, we offer full and partial scholarships for our Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) programme, made possible by the financial support of the Service de la solidarité internationale of the State of Geneva and Geneva private foundation.

Our MAS scholarships are open only to citizens from countries classified as ‘least developed’, ‘low income’ and ‘lower-middle income’, as per the DAC list of ODA Recipients. Applicants must live and be employed in one of the countries listed. (Please note the 4th column of the document is excluded from applying for grants: upper-middle-income countries and territories). 

Please note that all scholarships are allocated and administered by the Centre. We expect all students to contribute towards the cost of their education. The scholarship selection committee considers individuals’ financial contributions. Hence, we strongly advise candidates to explore other financial support options.

The application period for MAS programme scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year is open from 1st October 2025 to 1st February 2026.

We provide two scholarship options for our program:

  1. Full Scholarship: This scholarship covers CHF 13,000 of the tuition fees and also includes living expenses in Geneva. For a duration of either 4 or 7 months, students will receive CHF 2,000 per month.
  2. Partial Scholarship: This scholarship covers living expenses in Geneva, specifically CHF 2,000 per month. It is available only for Term 1, which covers September to December.

Please note that all scholarship recipients of the MAS program are required to contribute to the tuition fees. The minimum payment required is CHF 2,000, which includes a CHF 1,000 deposit.

  • CV (Resume)
  • Cover letter (explaining what is the reason why you apply for this course and how will the acquired skills help you in your career)
  • Highest educational qualification obtained
  • Work certificates/official documents from your current job position and the previous one
  • Two recent letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional) signed and with direct reference to the programme of your choice
  • Portrait photo (ID format)
  • Scanned copy of passport
  • Proof of English language competence dated within the last two years (minimum C1 level)
  • MAS scholarship application form
  1. Check your eligibility for a scholarship in ‘Who can apply‘ tab
  2. Download and fill in the MAS scholarship application, that will be available when applications for scholarships will open on 1st October.
  3. When filling in the form, applicants will have to choose the length of their stay in Geneva:
    • Four months (from September to December)
    • Seven months (from September to March)
  4. Prepare all the mandatory documents (see the tab ‘Docs/info to provide‘)
  5. Go to the application portal of the University of Geneva
  6. Fill in the online MAS application form
  7. Tick the box “I would like to apply for a scholarship”
  8. Submit your application

The Selection Committee will pronounce its decision in March 2026. You will be notified about the result via email.

☐ I am eligible for the MAS programme

☐ I am aware of the registration deadlines (see the tab ‘Dates‘)

☐ I am a citizen of one of the countries on the DAC List of ODA Recipients (columns 1 – 3 only)

☐ I work in one of the countries on the DAC List of ODA Recipients (columns 1 – 3 only)

☐ I am aware that the scholarship might not cover all the course fees and living expenses. I amprepared to contribute a minimum of CHF 2000 if I am selected as a successful applicant

☐ I have filled in the MAS scholarship application form completely and accurately

☐ I selected the appropriate length of stay in Geneva based on the options provided: 4 or 7 months

If you have successfully checked all the items on the checklist and meet the eligibility criteria, you are ready to proceed with your application. Follow the application process guidelines, submit all the required documents, and make sure to meet the registration deadlines.

Best of luck with your application!

Other Funding

Chèque annuel formation

For those who have paid Geneva taxes for at least one year, there is an additional funding option available. Candidates can apply for a “chèque annuel de formation” (training subsidy) with a maximum amount of CHF 2,250. To apply, a request should be made to the OFPC (Office pour l’orientation, la Formation Professionnelle et Continue) before the start of the course. A video providing information about the process is available (in French):


Training grants offered by your employer

In addition, we encourage candidates to explore potential training grants offered by their employers and to inquire about local or national government education and training programs.


Other Funding

Chèque annuel formation

For those who have paid Geneva taxes for at least one year, there is an additional funding option available. Candidates can apply for a “chèque annuel de formation” (training subsidy) with a maximum amount of CHF 2,250. To apply, a request should be made to the OFPC (Office pour l’orientation, la Formation Professionnelle et Continue) before the start of the course. A video providing information about the process is available (in French):

Training grants offered by your employer

In addition, we encourage candidates to explore potential training grants offered by their employers and to inquire about local or national government education and training programmes.

What Our Scholarship Recipients Say

Although I always aspired to be a humanitarian worker, the opportunity to benefit from a scholarship for the MAS programme in Humanitarian Action turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. It allowed me to benefit from many major opportunities and demonstrated that there is more than one path in the humanitarian field, which I was not aware of while working as a humanitarian, but this scholarship opened up my eyes to the ways that the humanitarian world works today. For the past six years, I was seeing myself as a person committed to working to alleviating human suffering and upholding human dignity. While attending the programme I even began asking myself whether I should give up on my dream of working as a humanitarian. However, completing the programme helped me realise that I will be better equipped to provide leadership and support in the development and implementation of humanitarian programmes. With the skills and knowledge that I will acquire I am certain that I will be best prepared for a future career in the field of humanitarian work, even beyond my home country. I can say that I am ready for the new Humanitarian Horizon.

Throughout my humanitarian missions with Médecins Sans Frontières over the past five years, I had been wondering if there could be a chance that would allow me to study the humanitarian programme to enrich my ambitions. Nevertheless, it had never been more than a hope and a dream until I received the fabulous news from the school in this year March that I was granted for a scholarship. The scholarship has now given me a wonderful experience of learning humanitarian action in this international Geneva. I wish to express my gratitude and thank the donors that make my years-long dreams come true.