The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/2028 provide international researchers with an opportunity to undertake postgraduate research or doctoral studies at recognised Swiss universities and research institutions. Administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), the programme offers CHF 2,450 per month to successful applicants, alongside selected additional benefits. Applicants from eligible countries can pursue research fellowships or PhD scholarships, subject to academic qualifications, age requirements and approval from a Swiss academic supervisor. For applicants from Zimbabwe, the official country-specific deadline is 10 November 2026.
Background and Opportunity Description
The Swiss Confederation awards Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to encourage international academic exchange, research collaboration and cooperation between Switzerland and other countries.
The programme is administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), also known as ESKAS, under the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
For the 2027/2028 academic year, the scholarship programme is primarily intended for talented early-career researchers who have completed a Master’s degree and want to pursue advanced research in Switzerland.
The available opportunities include research fellowships and PhD scholarships for qualified applicants from 183 countries.
Research can be undertaken at participating Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, federal institutes of technology and recognised research institutions.
An important requirement is that research and PhD applicants must secure an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to support and guide their proposed research.
The programme is not a general undergraduate or Master’s tuition scholarship. It is designed primarily for postgraduate researchers and doctoral candidates.
For applicants from Zimbabwe, the 2027/2028 country-specific scholarship list identifies research fellowships and PhD scholarships as available categories, with applications closing on 10 November 2026. 2028+2
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/2028 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship provider | Swiss Confederation |
| Administering organisation | Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) |
| Scholarship year | 2027/2028 |
| Scholarship types | Research Fellowship and PhD |
| Monthly funding | CHF 2,450 |
| Eligible countries | 183 countries, subject to country-specific availability |
| Academic level | Postgraduate research and doctoral studies |
| Fields of study | All academic disciplines for research scholarships |
| Research fellowship duration | 6–12 months |
| PhD scholarship duration | Up to 36 months |
| Programme start | 1 September 2027 |
| Age requirement | Born after 31 December 1991 |
| Academic requirement | Completed Master’s degree or equivalent |
| Host institution | Eligible Swiss university or recognised research institution |
| Academic supervisor | Required |
| Application method | Online through GO ESKAS |
| Zimbabwe deadline | 10 November 2026 |
| Application fee | Free |
Scholarship Benefits and Funding Coverage
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide financial support to selected international researchers undertaking approved academic activities in Switzerland.
The main benefits include:
1. Monthly Scholarship of CHF 2,450
Successful applicants receive CHF 2,450 per month to help cover basic living expenses for one person during the scholarship period.
The payment is intended as a living-cost contribution rather than a salary or employment income.
2. Health Insurance Support
The FCS covers compulsory Swiss health insurance premiums for scholarship holders from countries outside the European Union and European Free Trade Association (EU/EFTA).
This is an important benefit for eligible international researchers relocating to Switzerland.
3. One-Time Rental Deposit Grant
Scholarship recipients receive a one-time contribution of CHF 600 towards a rental deposit.
4. Public Transport Benefits
Recipients receive a Swiss Half-Fare Travelcard, which provides discounted travel on eligible public transport services.
5. Return Flight Allowance
Scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries receive a return flight allowance.
The amount depends on the recipient’s country of origin. The allowance is intended for travel back to the country of origin after the scholarship ends and may be used within the specified period.
6. Academic and Research Opportunities
Recipients can undertake approved research activities at participating Swiss higher education institutions and recognised research institutes.
The programme also provides opportunities to establish academic relationships and develop international research collaborations.
Important Funding Limitations
Although the scholarship provides several benefits, it does not cover every study-related expense.
The official programme information confirms that:
- Tuition and semester fees are not covered.
- Some institutions charge semester fees of approximately CHF 600 to CHF 2,000.
- International conference participation costs are not covered.
- Research fieldwork expenses are not additionally funded.
- The scholarship amount is calculated to cover one person’s basic living expenses.
- No family allowances are provided.
Applicants should check the fee requirements of their intended host institution before applying. SERI+1
Scholarship Types and Available Opportunities
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships offer different opportunities depending on the applicant’s academic background and research objectives.
Research Fellowship
The Research Fellowship supports early-career researchers who are pursuing doctoral studies in their home countries and want to undertake a research project at a Swiss institution.
The fellowship is available to qualified applicants from different academic disciplines, including young medical doctors.
Key features include:
- Duration of six to twelve months.
- Full-time research in Switzerland.
- A completed Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- A detailed research proposal.
- Support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss institution.
- A scholarship contribution of CHF 2,450 per month.
The research fellowship cannot be extended beyond 12 months.
PhD Scholarship
The PhD Scholarship supports qualified international graduates who want to pursue doctoral studies at a Swiss university or recognised research institution.
The scholarship provides an initial 12-month award, which may be renewed twice to support a maximum funding period of 36 months, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Applicants must have completed a Master’s degree and secured a suitable academic supervisor in Switzerland.
The scholarship is intended for full-time doctoral research in Switzerland.
For the 2027/2028 intake, postdoctoral scholarships are no longer offered under the programme. SERI+1
Qualifications and Eligibility Requirements
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships have specific eligibility requirements covering academic qualifications, age, research proposals and academic supervision.
Education and Academic Qualifications
For research fellowships and PhD scholarships, applicants must:
- Hold a completed Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- Have obtained the required qualification by 31 July 2027.
- For applicants intending to study at ETH Zurich, the qualification must be completed by 30 June 2027.
- Demonstrate a strong academic profile and research potential.
The programme accepts applicants from different academic disciplines, provided their proposed research is suitable for the selected Swiss institution.
Age Requirement
Applicants must have been born after 31 December 1991.
This is an important eligibility condition for the 2027/2028 scholarship cycle.
Academic Supervisor Requirement
Research and PhD applicants must identify an academic supervisor at a recognised Swiss higher education institution.
The supervisor must be willing to support the proposed research and provide an official letter of support.
Applicants are responsible for identifying and contacting suitable professors or laboratory group leaders whose research interests align with their proposed projects.
Applications without the required academic supervision will not be considered.
Research Proposal
Applicants must prepare a detailed research proposal outlining their intended research activities.
The proposal should include:
- The research topic and objectives.
- The significance of the proposed research.
- The research methodology.
- A timeline showing important activities and milestones.
- The expected academic contribution.
The proposal must follow the FCS/ESKAS application requirements.
Previous Residence in Switzerland
Applicants who already reside in Switzerland must comply with the programme’s residence-related eligibility rules.
The official guidelines specify conditions relating to the date of entry into Switzerland. Applicants should consult the applicable rules before completing their applications.
Country-Specific Eligibility
Although the scholarship programme covers 183 countries, the available scholarship categories and deadlines differ according to nationality.
For example, the official 2027/2028 country list identifies Research Fellowship and PhD scholarships for Zimbabwean applicants.
Art scholarships are available only to applicants from a limited number of countries. They should not be assumed to be available to every nationality.
Application Guidance and Additional Information
Applications for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are submitted online through the official Grants Online (GO ESKAS) platform.
The application process involves checking eligibility, identifying a suitable Swiss academic supervisor and preparing the required supporting documents.
Required Application Documents
Research and PhD applicants should prepare the following documents:
1. Curriculum Vitae
A complete CV outlining academic qualifications, degrees, awards, publications, employment history, teaching experience and relevant practical experience.
2. Motivation Letter
A motivation letter of no more than two pages explaining:
- Why the applicant wants to undertake research in Switzerland.
- The importance of the proposed research.
- How the scholarship supports future career plans.
- The applicant’s professional plans after completing the scholarship.
3. Research Proposal
A detailed research proposal of no more than five pages, including a summary written for non-specialists.
The proposal must follow the official FCS/ESKAS format and include a timeline.
4. Academic Supervisor’s Letter of Support
Applicants must provide a letter from their Swiss academic supervisor confirming support for the proposed research.
The supervisor must also provide a short CV of no more than two pages.
5. Academic Certificates and Transcripts
Applicants must submit copies of relevant academic certificates and university transcripts.
Documents not issued in English, French, Italian or German must be accompanied by certified translations.
6. Passport Copy
Applicants must provide a copy of their valid passport. Dual citizens must submit copies of both passports.
7. Additional Academic Information
Applicants must provide the email addresses of two different professors in their academic field. These professors will be contacted through the application system and asked to submit recommendation letters.
Additional documents may be required depending on the applicant’s circumstances and scholarship category.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships website.
- Review the scholarship types and confirm that the relevant opportunity is available to applicants from your country.
- Read the eligibility requirements carefully.
- Identify a suitable Swiss academic supervisor whose research interests align with your proposed project.
- Obtain the required academic support and prepare your research proposal.
- Register on the GO ESKAS online application platform.
- Sign in and complete the scholarship application.
- Upload all required supporting documents.
- Review your information and submit the application through the online system.
Applications must not be submitted by email or in paper form.
Eligibility Check Before Applying
The supplied GO ESKAS eligibility-check form allows prospective applicants to begin checking their eligibility for the 2027/2028 academic year.
Applicants are asked to select:
- Scholarship type.
- Date of birth.
- Nationality.
- Email address.
- Proposed Swiss host university.
- Expected date of arrival in Switzerland.
The form also explains that the intended entry date into Switzerland must be after 1 August of the year preceding the scholarship. Applicants who have not yet finalised their travel arrangements may enter 1 September of the scholarship year as a provisional date.
The eligibility check is a preliminary screening step. Completing it does not constitute a submitted scholarship application or guarantee selection.
Application Deadline
10 November 2026 – Zimbabwe
The official country-specific scholarship list gives the following deadline for Zimbabwean applicants:
10 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time.
The available scholarship categories for Zimbabwe are:
- Research Fellowship.
- PhD Scholarship.
Applicants from other countries must check their respective deadlines because the closing dates are not uniform across participating countries.
The scholarship application is free. The Swiss authorities have warned applicants against fraudulent individuals or organisations demanding payments in the name of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. SERI+1
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship pay?
The scholarship provides CHF 2,450 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person. It is a scholarship contribution, not a salary.
2. Which countries are eligible for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
The 2027/2028 programme is open to applicants from 183 countries, subject to country-specific scholarship availability and eligibility conditions.
3. Can Zimbabwean students apply?
Yes. Zimbabwe is included in the official country list. Research Fellowship and PhD scholarships are available to eligible Zimbabwean applicants.
4. What is the application deadline for Zimbabwe?
The deadline is 10 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time.
5. What qualifications are required?
Research and PhD applicants must have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification by the applicable 2027 deadline.
6. Is an academic supervisor required?
Yes. Applicants for Research Fellowships and PhD scholarships must obtain support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss higher education institution. Applications without the required supervisor support will not be considered.
7. How long does the scholarship last?
Research Fellowships last between six and twelve months. PhD scholarships can run for up to 36 months, subject to academic progress and renewal approval.
8. Does the scholarship cover tuition fees?
No. Tuition and semester fees are not covered by the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship. Applicants may have to pay institutional fees themselves.
9. Does the scholarship cover health insurance and flights?
For non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders, compulsory health insurance premiums are covered. Eligible recipients also receive a return flight allowance, with the amount depending on their country of origin.
10. How do applicants submit their applications?
Applications are submitted online through the official GO ESKAS platform. Applicants must first check their eligibility, secure the required academic supervision and prepare the supporting documents.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are a valuable opportunity for postgraduate researchers seeking international academic exposure and opportunities to undertake research in Switzerland.
The monthly CHF 2,450 contribution, health insurance support for non-EU/EFTA recipients, rental deposit grant and return flight allowance make the programme attractive to qualified international researchers.
However, applicants should understand that this is not a general undergraduate or Master’s scholarship. The main opportunities are intended for researchers who already hold a Master’s degree and meet the academic supervision requirements.
The requirement to secure a Swiss academic supervisor is particularly important. Prospective applicants should begin contacting suitable professors well before the application deadline because finding an appropriate supervisor and preparing a competitive research proposal can take considerable time.
For Zimbabwean applicants, the availability of both Research Fellowship and PhD categories makes this an opportunity worth considering, provided they meet the academic and age requirements.
Disclaimer
Opportunities Feed is an independent information platform that shares scholarships, fellowships, graduate programmes, internships and other career development opportunities.
We are not affiliated with the Swiss Confederation, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students or the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
We do not receive or process scholarship applications. All applications must be submitted directly through the official Swiss Government scholarship application system.
Applicants should consult the official scholarship website and their respective Swiss diplomatic representation for the latest eligibility requirements, country-specific deadlines and application procedures.
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