Applications are now open for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028, one of the most prestigious government-funded scholarship programmes in the world. Offered by the Swiss Confederation and managed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS), this scholarship is available to talented researchers and artists from over 183 countries around the world.
This scholarship covers three types of awards: a Research Fellowship, a PhD Scholarship, and an Art Scholarship. The Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship are open to postgraduate researchers from all academic disciplines, while the Art Scholarship is for students who want to pursue a Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland. All three types are hosted at top Swiss universities and research institutions, including ETH Zurich and EPFL — two of the world’s leading technical universities.
This is a fully funded scholarship that provides CHF 2,450 per month to cover your living expenses in Switzerland. In addition to the monthly stipend, scholars from non-EU/EFTA countries also receive health insurance coverage and a return flight allowance. A one-time rental deposit grant of CHF 600 and a Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport are also included for all scholarship holders.
The scholarship is open to applicants from 183 countries, making it truly international. However, priority is given to candidates who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland. There is no application fee — the entire process is completely free of charge. Be aware that scammers sometimes advertise fake Swiss Government Scholarships online and ask for money. Never pay anyone claiming to process this scholarship for you.
The application portal opens on 20 August 2026, and deadlines vary by country of origin. Scholarships are awarded for the academic year starting 1 September 2027.
Key Details:
- Scholarship Name: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028
- Offered By: Swiss Confederation / Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS/ESKAS)
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Degree Level: Research Fellowship, PhD, and Master’s (Art only)
- Host Country: Switzerland
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to applicants from 183 countries worldwide
- Monthly Stipend: CHF 2,450 per month for all three scholarship types
- Scholarship Duration: 6–12 months (Research Fellowship), up to 36 months (PhD), varies (Art)
- Application Deadline: Varies by country — details published in August 2026
- Application Fee: None — completely free to apply
- Start Date: 1 September 2027
What This Scholarship Offers:
This scholarship is fully funded and provides scholars with strong financial and practical support throughout their time in Switzerland. Here is what you will receive and gain as a scholarship holder:
- Monthly Stipend: CHF 2,450 every month to cover your basic living costs in Switzerland
- Health Insurance: Full coverage of compulsory health insurance premiums for non-EU/EFTA scholars
- Rental Deposit Grant: A one-time payment of CHF 600 to help you secure housing when you arrive
- Half-Fare Travelcard: Discounted travel across Switzerland’s entire public transport network
- Return Flight Allowance: A flight allowance to return home after the scholarship ends (non-EU/EFTA only)
- World-Class Research Environment: Access to top Swiss universities and institutes like ETH Zurich and EPFL
- Academic Mentorship: Direct supervision and guidance from a leading Swiss academic in your field
- International Network: Connections with scholars, professors, and researchers from across the world
- Organised Activities: Excursions and cultural activities arranged by the FCS coordinating body
- Career Boost: A Swiss research or study experience that significantly strengthens your academic profile
What the Scholarship Does Not Cover:
It is equally important to know what costs you will need to manage yourself:
- Tuition or semester fees (approximately CHF 600–2,000 per semester)
- Conference participation and travel costs
- Field research costs outside Switzerland
- Travel expenses to Switzerland for EU/EFTA applicants
- Family or dependent allowances of any kind
Types of Scholarships Available:
There are three distinct scholarship types under this programme. Each has a different objective and target group.
1. Research Fellowship:
This fellowship is for early-career researchers who want to carry out a one-year research project in Switzerland as part of their doctoral journey. It is valid only for full-time research conducted inside Switzerland. The fellowship lasts a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months, with no possibility of extension. You must have a letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor to apply.
2. PhD Scholarship:
This scholarship supports talented Master’s degree holders who want to pursue a full PhD at a Swiss university or recognised research institute. It starts at 12 months and can be renewed twice, giving you up to 36 months of total funding, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Like the research fellowship, a Swiss academic supervisor is mandatory. Some universities such as ETH Zurich and EPFL may also require additional funding approval from your supervisor.
3. Art Scholarship:
The Art Scholarship is designed for students who wish to complete their first Master’s degree in an artistic discipline at a Swiss university of arts. This scholarship is available only to students from a limited number of countries, so you must check whether your country is eligible before applying. Applicants must not already hold a Master’s degree or equivalent at the time the scholarship begins.
Eligibility Criteria:
General Requirements (All Three Scholarship Types):
- You must be a citizen of one of the 183 eligible countries
- You must not have previously received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
- You must not have been living, studying, or working in Switzerland for more than 13 months before the scholarship start date
- You must not submit more than one application at the same time
- This must not be your fourth application after three previous unsuccessful attempts
- Your application must be complete and free of formal errors
Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship:
- Master’s degree or equivalent must be completed by 31 July 2027 (ETH Zurich: 30 June 2027)
- Date of birth must be after 31 December 1991
- A detailed research plan with a clear timeline and milestones is required
- A letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor is mandatory
- If you are already in Switzerland, your date of entry must not be before 1 August 2026
Art Scholarship:
- You must not already hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
- Only applicants from countries specifically listed as eligible for art scholarships may apply
- All general eligibility criteria listed above also apply
Programs Available:
The Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship are open to researchers from virtually all academic disciplines. Below is a list of broad fields that are eligible:
- Natural Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Engineering and Technology
- Architecture and Urban Planning
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology and Life Sciences
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Environmental Sciences
- Earth and Geosciences
- Agriculture and Food Sciences
- Economics and Business Administration
- Law and Political Science
- International Relations and Development Studies
- Social Sciences and Sociology
- Psychology
- Education and Pedagogy
- Linguistics and Literature
- History and Archaeology
- Philosophy and Ethics
- Communication and Media Studies
- Sports Sciences
- Visual Arts and Design (Art Scholarship only)
- Music and Performing Arts (Art Scholarship only)
- Film and Media Arts (Art Scholarship only)
- Fine Arts (Art Scholarship only)
Host Institutions:
Switzerland has a strong network of world-ranked universities and research institutes where scholarship holders will be placed. These include:
For PhD Scholarships and Research Fellowships:
- ETH Zurich and EPFL (two of the world’s top technical universities)
- Universities of Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, St. Gallen, and Zurich
- Università della Svizzera italiana
- ETH Domain Research Institutes: PSI, WSL, EMPA, and EAWAG
- Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)
For Research Fellowships (Additional Institutions):
- HES-SO, BFH, FHNW, OST, FHGR, HSLU, SUPSI, and ZHAW (Universities of Applied Sciences)
- UniDistance Suisse, SFUVET, and SFISM
For Art Scholarships:
- Zurich University of the Arts (ZHDK)
- Bern University of the Arts (HKB-BFH)
- Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana
- HES-SO, FHNW, OST, HSLU, and SUPSI
Finding an Academic Supervisor:
For both the Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship, finding a Swiss academic supervisor is not optional — it is a core requirement. Without a supervisor’s letter of support, your application will not be considered at all. Here is what you need to know:
- Suitable supervisors are professors or laboratory group leaders at Swiss higher education institutions
- For PhD scholarships, the supervisor must be officially authorised to supervise doctoral theses
- It is entirely your responsibility to find and contact a suitable supervisor
- Start your search early — it can take several weeks or even months to get a response
- Check that the supervisor’s research area matches your proposed project before reaching out
- Be professional, specific, and well-prepared in your initial contact email
Required Documents:
Prepare the following documents before you begin your online application:
- Complete CV including degrees, awards, publications, and work experience
- Letter of motivation — maximum 2 pages explaining your reasons and career goals
- Research proposal on the official FCS/ESKAS form — maximum 5 pages with a non-specialist summary
- Letter of support from your Swiss academic supervisor
- Short CV of your Swiss academic supervisor — maximum 2 pages
- For Research Fellowships: short CV of your home university supervisor as well
- For PhD at graduate schools: official confirmation of admission to the graduate school
- Email addresses of two professors in your field for recommendation letters
- Copies of all university certificates and transcripts with certified translations if not in English, French, Italian, or German
- Copy of your passport (both passports if you are a dual citizen)
- Copy of residence permit or registration confirmation if you are already living in Switzerland
How to Apply:
Applying for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is straightforward, but it requires careful preparation. Follow these steps:
- Step 1: Visit the official website at sbfi.admin.ch and check the deadlines and available scholarship types for your specific country
- Step 2: Find and secure a letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (for research and PhD applicants)
- Step 3: Prepare all required documents including your CV, motivation letter, and research proposal
- Step 4: Wait for the application portal to open on 20 August 2026
- Step 5: Submit your complete application online only — no emails or paper documents are accepted
- Step 6: Two professors in your field will be contacted automatically through the system to submit recommendation letters
- Step 7: Applications are reviewed by Swiss diplomatic representations and then assessed by the FCS
- Step 8: Results are announced by the end of May for the following academic year
Important Reminders:
- The scholarship application is completely free — never pay anyone to apply
- Only one application may be submitted at a time — multiple simultaneous applications will lead to disqualification
- The scholarship covers only one person — no family allowances are provided
- Scholarship holders must reside in Switzerland for the full duration of the award
- Any additional income or funding received must be reported to FCS
For official information and updates, visit the Swiss Federal Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation at sbfi.admin.ch. Country-specific deadlines and application links will be published in August 2026.
