Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026/2027

Host Country: Switzerland
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Application Status: Ongoing
Start Date: 1 September 2026
Administered by: Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS)

🎯 Scholarship Overview

The Swiss Confederation offers these scholarships annually to promote international research collaboration and academic exchange. They are aimed at early-career researchers and artists from over 180 countries.

🎓 Types of Scholarships Offered

1. Research Scholarships

For postgraduate researchers (Master’s degree holders)

Any field

Host: Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL, or ETH domain research institutes (PSI, Empa, WSL, Eawag)

Duration: 12 months (non-renewable)

2. PhD Scholarships

For full-time PhD study in Switzerland

Duration: 12 months, renewable up to 36 months

3. Postdoctoral Scholarships

For researchers with a PhD

Duration: 12 months

Stipend: CHF 3,500/month

4. Art Scholarships

For initial Master’s degrees in artistic fields

Note: Only open to students from a limited number of countries

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✅ Eligibility Criteria (General for Research/PhD)

Criteria Requirement

Degree Master’s (for research/PhD), PhD (for postdoc)
Age Born after 31 December 1990
Start Date Scholarship begins 1 September 2026
Language Proficiency in English, German, French, or Italian (depending on host institution)
Residency (if already in Switzerland) Arrival not earlier than 1 August 2025
Supervision Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor with CV
Research Plan Detailed with timeline and methodology

💶 Scholarship Benefits

Item Details

Monthly stipend (Research/PhD) CHF 1,920
Monthly stipend (Postdoc) CHF 3,500
Health insurance Fully covered (for non-EU/EFTA applicants)
Housing One-time CHF 300 rent deposit grant
Public transport Half-Fare Travelcard provided
Return flight allowance For non-EU/EFTA countries
Activities Networking events and excursions for scholars

Note:

This is not a salary.

Tuition fees (CHF 600–2,000/semester) are not covered.

Fieldwork and international conference costs must be covered by the applicant.

📌 Required Application Materials

1. Detailed CV

2. Academic transcripts and diplomas

3. Motivation letter

4. Research proposal (including timeline and milestones)

5. Two letters of recommendation

6. Letter of support from a Swiss professor

7. Copy of passport

8. Health certificate

9. Language proficiency documentation (where required)

🛫 Application Tips

Contact a professor in Switzerland early to secure a letter of support. This is mandatory.

Start gathering certified translations of your documents now.

Prepare a clear, original, and feasible research proposal aligned with your supervisor’s interests.

Demonstrate academic excellence, originality, and a strong motivation to pursue research in Switzerland.

🔗 To Apply

Visit the official page