Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-2028 in Switzerland | Fully Funded Research Scholarships

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The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-2028 are now open for international researchers and artists who want to study or conduct research in Switzerland. Funded by the Swiss Confederation, these prestigious scholarships support academic exchange and research collaboration between Switzerland and more than 180 countries. The program is administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS).

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are mainly designed for talented early-career researchers who have already completed a Master’s degree. The scholarship allows selected candidates to conduct research at Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, federal institutes of technology, and research institutes. In addition, selected countries are eligible for art scholarships that support students pursuing their first Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland.

The fully funded scholarship provides a monthly living allowance of CHF 2,450, health insurance for eligible scholars, a rental deposit grant, public transportation benefits, and a return flight allowance for scholars from non-EU/EFTA countries. Since applications require strong academic qualifications and, for research scholarships, the support of a Swiss academic supervisor, applicants are encouraged to begin preparing several months before the application deadline.

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Quick Overview of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-2028

• Host Country: Switzerland
• Funded By: Swiss Confederation
• Administered By: Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS)
• Scholarship Types: Research Fellowship, PhD Scholarship, Art Scholarship
• Scholarship Level: Research, PhD, Master’s (Arts only)
• Eligible Countries: More than 180 countries (Art scholarships are available for selected countries only)
• Application Opens: 20 August 2026
• Scholarship Start Date: 1 September 2027

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Types of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

The Swiss Government offers three types of scholarships for international applicants.

Research Fellowship

Research Fellowships are available for postgraduate researchers who wish to conduct research at eligible Swiss universities and research institutions. Applicants must already hold a Master’s degree and secure an academic supervisor in Switzerland before submitting their application.

PhD Scholarship

The PhD Scholarship supports international students who want to pursue doctoral studies in Switzerland. Candidates must obtain the support of a Swiss academic supervisor and meet the admission requirements of the host institution.

Art Scholarship

Art Scholarships are available for highly talented students who wish to pursue their first Master’s degree in an artistic field at a Swiss university of arts or conservatory. These scholarships are offered only to applicants from selected countries.

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Financial Benefits

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide the following benefits:

• Monthly scholarship of CHF 2,450
• Health insurance for scholars from non-EU/EFTA countries
• One-time rental deposit grant of CHF 600
• Swiss Half-Fare Travelcard
• Return flight allowance for scholars from non-EU/EFTA countries
• Networking events, excursions, and academic activities are organized by the scholarship program

Expenses Not Covered

Applicants should note that the scholarship does not cover:

• Tuition or semester fees charged by universities
• Conference participation expenses
• Fieldwork expenses
• Family or dependent allowances

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Eligibility Criteria

Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship

Applicants must:

• Hold a Master’s degree before the scholarship begins.
• Be supported by an academic supervisor at an eligible Swiss institution.
• Submit a high-quality research proposal.
• Meet the admission requirements of the host institution, where applicable.

Art Scholarship

Applicants must:

• Complete a Bachelor’s degree by 31 July 2027.
• Be born after 31 December 1991.
• Not already holding a Master’s degree.
• Obtain admission or proof of application from an eligible Swiss university of arts or conservatory.
• Be from a country eligible for the Art Scholarship.

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Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents before applying:

• Updated CV
• Letter of motivation
• Research proposal (Research Fellowship and PhD applicants)
• Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor
• Short CV of the academic supervisor
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Passport copy
• Contact details of two academic referees
• Admission letter or proof of application (Art Scholarship applicants)
• Artistic portfolio or performance recordings (Art Scholarship applicants)

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Research Supervisor Requirement

One of the most important requirements for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships is securing an academic supervisor in Switzerland.

Applicants for Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships must identify a professor or research group leader whose research matches their proposed project. The supervisor must agree to support the research proposal and provide a letter of support. Applications submitted without an academic supervisor will not be considered.

Since professors receive many requests from international applicants each year, candidates should begin contacting potential supervisors well before the application opens.

Eligible Swiss Institutions

Various Swiss universities participating in the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, including:

• Swiss cantonal universities
• Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences
• ETH Zurich
• EPFL
• Research Institutes within the ETH Domain
• Selected Swiss universities of arts and conservatories (for Art Scholarships)

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Academic excellence
• Quality and originality of the research project or artistic work
• Motivation
• Potential for future research collaboration
• Academic recommendations
• Support from the Swiss academic supervisor

Who Should Apply?

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are suitable for:

• Early-career researchers
• International PhD applicants
• Master’s graduates interested in research
• Artists seeking their first Master’s degree in Switzerland
• Researchers planning international academic collaboration

Important Exclusion Criteria

Applications may be rejected if:

• The application is incomplete.
• No Swiss academic supervisor is provided for research scholarships.
• Multiple scholarship applications are submitted simultaneously.
• The applicant has already received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
• The applicant has lived, worked, or studied in Switzerland for more than 13 months before the scholarship begins.
• This is the applicant’s fourth unsuccessful application.

Application Timeline

How to Apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-2028?

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Check whether their country is eligible for the scholarship.
2. Identify the appropriate scholarship category.
3. Find a suitable Swiss academic supervisor (Research Fellowship and PhD applicants).
4. Prepare all required documents.
5. Contact referees for recommendation letters.
6. Complete the online application after 20 August 2026.
7. Submit the application before the country-specific deadline.

Why Apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide international researchers and artists with an opportunity to study and conduct research at some of Switzerland’s leading universities and research institutions. In addition to financial support, the program helps scholars build international academic networks, collaborate with Swiss researchers, and gain experience in one of Europe’s leading research environments. For applicants interested in research careers or international academic collaboration, the scholarship is among the most competitive government-funded opportunities available in Switzerland.