The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide international students and researchers with opportunities to pursue advanced studies, research, and artistic development in Switzerland.
Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards these scholarships to promote international exchange and strengthen research cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 countries.
The program is managed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS).
About Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are primarily designed for talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a Master’s degree.
The scholarship program is currently open to applicants from 183 countries and supports postgraduate research, PhD studies, and selected artistic fields.
Scholarship Types Available
Research Scholarships
Research scholarships are available for postgraduate researchers from eligible countries who wish to conduct research in Switzerland.
Applicants can pursue research at institutions including:
- Swiss cantonal universities
- Universities of applied sciences
- Federal Institutes of Technology such as ETH Zurich and EPFL
- Research institutes within the ETH Domain
Applicants must have support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to guide their proposed research.
Research Scholarship Details
- Target group: PhD students and postgraduate researchers
- Requirement: Completed Master’s degree
- Supervisor: Required
- Maximum duration: 12 months
- Funding: CHF 2,450 per month
PhD Scholarships
The PhD scholarship supports international doctoral candidates who want to complete their doctoral research in Switzerland.
PhD Scholarship Details
- Target group: PhD students
- Eligible countries: 183 countries
- Requirement: Master’s degree
- Supervisor: Required
- Maximum duration: 36 months
- Funding: CHF 2,450 per month
Art Scholarships
Art scholarships support students who want to pursue an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland.
Art Scholarship Details
- Target group: Art students
- Eligible countries: 26 countries
- Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
- Admission or proof of application required
- Maximum duration: 21 months
Who Can Apply?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at:
- International researchers
- PhD students
- Early-career academics
- Art students from eligible countries
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong academic background
- Research potential
- Quality research proposals or artistic projects
- Potential for future international collaboration
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare a scholarship application supported by relevant academic documentation.
For research scholarships, applicants need:
- Completed Master’s degree
- Research proposal
- Support from a Swiss academic supervisor
For art scholarships, applicants need:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Admission or proof of application to a Swiss institution
Selection Process
Applications are submitted through Swiss diplomatic representations.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students evaluates applications based on three main criteria:
- Candidate profile
- Quality of the research project or artistic work
- Potential for future research cooperation and collaboration
Scholarship decisions are announced by the FCS by the end of May for the following academic year.
Application Timeline
Applications for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 will open on:
20 August 2026
Information about application deadlines and scholarship availability by country of origin will be published from August 2026.
Important Warning About Fake Scholarship Offers
The Swiss authorities warn applicants about fraudulent scholarship messages claiming to represent the Swiss Government.
Applicants should:
- Never send money for visa or insurance fees
- Avoid responding to suspicious scholarship emails
- Remember that applications for Swiss Government Scholarships are free of charge
Why Apply for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
Successful applicants can benefit from:
- Financial support during research or study
- Access to Swiss universities and research institutions
- International academic networks
- Opportunities for research collaboration
- Experience in one of the world’s leading education and innovation environments
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