Applications are now open for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028. The program gives international researchers and selected art students an opportunity to study or conduct research in Switzerland.
The Swiss Confederation offers these scholarships to promote international research cooperation and academic exchange. Applicants from 183 countries can currently take part, although available scholarship types vary by country.
Successful research scholarship holders receive CHF 2,450 per month. Other benefits may also be available depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Quick Overview
Host country: Switzerland
Funded by: Swiss Confederation
Academic year: 2027–2028
Scholarship level: Research, PhD, and selected Master’s in Arts
Monthly scholarship: CHF 2,450
Eligible countries: Scholarship program currently covers 183 countries
Application opens: August 20, 2026
Deadline: Varies by country
Study start: September 1, 2027
Application fee: Free
About the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Opportunities support talented international researchers and artists.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students, also known as FCS or ESKAS, selects scholarship recipients. The program mainly targets early-career researchers who have already completed a Master’s degree.
Research opportunities are available across different academic fields. Applicants can conduct their work at participating Swiss universities and recognized research institutions.
Types of Scholarships Available
The 2027–2028 program includes different scholarship categories.
Research Fellowship
This option supports researchers who want to complete a research project in Switzerland as part of their doctoral studies.
The fellowship normally lasts between 6 and 12 months. It cannot be extended.
PhD Scholarship
Qualified applicants can pursue a PhD at an eligible Swiss university or research institution.
The initial scholarship lasts 12 months. Subject to satisfactory academic progress, it may be renewed twice for a total period of up to 36 months.
Art Scholarship
Art scholarships support talented students who want to pursue their first Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland.
However, these scholarships are available only to applicants from certain countries.
Important: Postdoctoral scholarships are no longer offered from the 2027–2028 academic year.
Scholarship Benefits
Recipients of research, PhD, and art scholarships receive CHF 2,450 per month to help cover basic living expenses for one person.
Additional benefits may include:
- Health insurance premiums for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
- A one-time CHF 600 housing deposit allowance
- A Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
- Organized activities and excursions
- A return flight allowance for eligible non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders
Applicants should understand that the scholarship does not automatically cover every expense.
Tuition and semester fees are not covered by the Federal Excellence Scholarship. Depending on the institution, students may have to pay these costs themselves.
Conference expenses and field research costs are generally not covered either.
Eligible Swiss Universities and Institutions
Scholarship holders may study or conduct research at participating institutions across Switzerland.
These include the University of Bern, University of Basel, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, EPFL, and several other recognized Swiss institutions.
Research institutes within the ETH Domain are also included.
Eligibility Criteria
Requirements depend on the scholarship category and the applicant’s country.
For research fellowships and PhD scholarships, applicants generally need:
- A Master’s degree or equivalent
- A strong academic and research background
- A detailed research proposal
- An academic supervisor in Switzerland
- A support letter from that supervisor
- The required academic documents
- A valid passport
For the 2027–2028 research and PhD scholarships, applicants must generally have been born after December 31, 1991.
The Master’s degree or equivalent must normally be completed by July 31, 2027. ETH Zurich applicants have an earlier qualification deadline of June 30, 2027.
Country-specific conditions may also apply.
You may also be interested in the Asia University Scholarship in Taiwan for International Students.
Academic Supervisor Requirement
Finding a suitable academic supervisor is one of the most important parts of the application process.
Research fellowship and PhD applicants must find a professor or eligible academic supervisor at a Swiss institution. The supervisor must support the proposed research project and provide a letter of support.
Applicants are responsible for finding their own supervisor.
The scholarship authorities and Swiss universities do not find supervisors on behalf of applicants. Start this process early because professors may receive many requests.
Required Application Documents
The exact requirements depend on the scholarship type, but research applicants generally need:
- Complete CV
- Motivation letter
- Detailed research proposal
- Academic supervisor’s support letter
- Supervisor’s short CV
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Passport copy
- Details of two academic referees
- Residence documents if already living in Switzerland
Documents that are not in English, French, Italian, or German may require certified translations.
Additional documents may be required for specific scholarship categories.
How to Apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Applications for the 2027–2028 cycle are submitted online.
First, check which scholarship types are available for your country of origin. You should also confirm your country’s application deadline.
Next, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
Research applicants should identify a suitable academic supervisor in Switzerland and obtain the required support.
After that, register through the official Grants Online (GO ESKAS) application system. Complete the online application and upload the required documents.
Do not send the application by email or in paper form.
Application Deadline
There is no single application deadline for every country.
Deadlines and available scholarship types depend on the applicant’s country of origin. Applicants should therefore check the official country list before preparing their application.
Applications for the 2027–2028 cycle opened on August 20, 2026.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students expects to announce scholarship decisions by the end of May 2027 at the latest.
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed on several factors.
The selection process considers the applicant’s academic profile, research ability, and motivation. Evaluators also look at the originality and quality of the proposed research.
Quality of academic supervision and the potential for future research cooperation are also important.
Official Application and Scholarship Information
Applicants should apply only through the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Opportunities system.
Always check the latest requirements and your country-specific deadline before submitting an application.
Official source: State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), Swiss Government.
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Important Note
Pathfinderly provides opportunity information to help applicants understand scholarships and application requirements. We do not represent the Swiss Government, FCS/ESKAS, or any participating university.
Scholarship requirements, deadlines, and benefits can change. Always confirm the final details through the official scholarship website before applying.
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