WISE Research Master’s Thesis

Are you a Master’s student in engineering or natural sciences? The new initiative WISE Research Master’s Thesis offers stipends, hands-on research, and a path to a PhD in sustainable materials. Join a WISE research group and start shaping the future of sustainable innovation.

The WISE Research Master’s Thesis is a research-preparatory initiative for Master’s students who are interested in pursuing doctoral studies in materials science for sustainability.

The program offers early exposure to high-quality research environments and provides a strong foundation for future PhD studies in engineering and natural sciences.

About

Selected students receive a stipend and become affiliated with a research group connected to WISE during the final year of their Master’s studies.

The core of the initiative is a research-based Master’s thesis project, carried out within a relevant research environment and supervised by an active professor or senior researcher. Students are also expected to participate in selected research-related activities and may be offered advanced courses that can be credited toward future doctoral studies.

Key Facts

Up to 200 stipends of 75,000 SEK will be awarded during 2026–2027 and 2027–2028.
It is open to students enrolled in Master’s programs in engineering or natural sciences at:
- the seven WISE partner universities, or
- four additional universities with research groups of excellence affiliated with WISE.
Each WISE partner university may award up to 12 stipends per selection round.
Each affiliated research group of excellence at the four selected universities may award up to 4 stipends per selection round.
The total budget for the initiative is 15 million SEK.
Participants complete a 30-credit Master’s thesis and spend up to one year as a member of a research group at a WISE-affiliated university.

Strengthening Future Research Capacity

The WISE Research Master’s Thesis is a long-term investment in developing the next generation of researchers in materials science for sustainability and in strengthening Sweden’s research capacity in a field that is critical to a sustainable future.