Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-2028

Applications will open for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. These prestigious scholarships offer fully funded opportunities for outstanding international students and researchers to study or conduct research in Switzerland.

The program supports Research Fellowships, PhD Scholarships, and Art Scholarships across almost all academic fields and artistic disciplines. It provides a monthly stipend along with several additional benefits. There is no application fee. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Degree Level: Art Scholarships, Research Fellowship, and PhD Scholarship.
• Host Country: Switzerland.
• Scholarship Type: Government funded.
• Application Deadline: Varies by country (check the official portal for your country).
• Open For: International students from eligible countries worldwide.
• Application Fee: None.

What This Scholarship Offers:

• Monthly stipend of CHF 2,450 to cover basic living expenses.
• Health insurance coverage (for non-EU/EFTA citizens).
• One-time rental deposit grant of CHF 600.
• Half-Fare Travelcard for affordable public transport across Switzerland.
• Opportunity to join organised excursions and cultural activities arranged for scholarship holders.
• Return flight allowance for scholars from non-EU/EFTA countries.

Also Check: PIBBSS Fellowship 2026-2027 in Cape Town, South Africa (Fully Funded)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (depending on the scholarship type) completed by the required deadline.
• Meet the age requirement (born after 31 December 1991).
• Show strong academic or artistic excellence.
• For Research Scholarships: Secure a letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor.
• For Art Scholarships: Provide proof of application or admission to a Swiss art school or conservatory.
• Priority is given to candidates who have not previously studied or lived in Switzerland.
• Note: Each scholarship type has specific additional requirements. Full details are provided in the sections below.

Also Check: IPAI Postdoctoral Fellows Program at Purdue University, USA

Research Scholarships:

Overview of the Different Types

Research Fellowships

Objective: The scholarship enables selected applicants to carry out a one-year research project as part of their doctoral studies at a Swiss higher education institution or recognised research institute. It is valid only for full-time research in Switzerland.

Target Group: Highly qualified early-career researchers from all academic fields, including young medical doctors. Priority is given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland (see eligibility criteria for exceptions).

Eligibility Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027 (for ETH Zurich: 30 June 2027)
• Date of birth after 31 December 1991
• Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities
• Letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (including a short CV)
• If already residing in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2026 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit)

Selection Criteria

• Academic profile, research competence, and motivation
• Originality and methodological quality of the project
• Quality of supervision and potential for future collaboration

Duration Maximum of 12 months (minimum 6 months). No extensions possible. Start date: 1 September 2027.

Scholarship Amount CHF 2,450 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person. This scholarship is not a salary.

PhD Scholarships

Objective This scholarship supports selected applicants in pursuing a PhD at a Swiss university or recognised research institute. It is valid only for full-time research in Switzerland.

Target Group Highly qualified researchers who have completed a master’s degree in any academic field. Priority is given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland (see eligibility criteria for exceptions).

Eligibility Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027 (for ETH Zurich: 30 June 2027)
• Date of birth after 31 December 1991
• Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities
• Letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (including a short CV)
• If already residing in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2026 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit)

Selection Criteria

• Academic profile, research competence, and motivation
• Originality and methodological quality of the project
• Quality of supervision and potential for future collaboration

Duration 12 months, renewable twice for up to 36 months (subject to academic progress during the first 12 months). Start date: 1 September 2027.

Scholarship Amount CHF 2,450 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person. This scholarship is not a salary.

Also Check: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University Canada 2026

Art Scholarships:

These scholarships are intended for art students wishing to obtain their first Master’s degree in Switzerland. Scholarships are available at all Swiss conservatories and art schools. They are available to applicants from only a limited number of countries.

Objective The art scholarship enables selected applicants to pursue their first Master’s degree at a Swiss art school or conservatory. It is valid only for full-time studies in Switzerland.

Target Group Highly talented young artists who do not already hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification. Priority is given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland (see eligibility criteria for exceptions). Available only to a limited number of countries.

Eligibility Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027
• Date of birth after 31 December 1991
• Applicants must not yet hold a Master’s degree at the start of the scholarship
• Admission letter or proof of application to a Swiss University of the Arts or Music. If the application period has not yet opened, provide confirmation from the university.
• If already residing in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2026 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit)

Selection Criteria

• Artistic profile, qualifications, and motivation
• Submitted portfolio: artistic maturity and potential
• Enrolment availability at the desired university

Duration 12 months. Extension possible up to a maximum of 21 months, depending on the chosen Master’s degree programme and the required ECTS credits. Start date: 1 September 2027.

Scholarship Amount CHF 2,450 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person.

Also Check: Fully Funded PhD and Postdoc Positions 2026 at TU Delft, Netherlands

Swiss Higher Education Institutions:

Research Scholarships (PhD & Research Fellowships)

• University of Basel
• University of Bern
• University of Fribourg
• University of Geneva
• University of Lausanne
• University of Lucerne
• University of Neuchâtel
• University of St. Gallen
• University of Zurich
• Università della Svizzera italiana
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich)
• Research Institutes of the ETH Domain (PSI, WSL, EMPA, EAWAG)
• Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)

Additional Institutions for Research Fellowships

• Various Universities of Applied Sciences (HES-SO, BFH, FHNW, OST, FHGR, HSLU, SUPSI, ZHAW)
• Universities of Teacher Education
• UniDistance Suisse (presence in Switzerland mandatory)
• Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET)
• Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM)

Art Scholarships

• University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO)
• Bern University of the Arts (HKB-BFH)
• University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)
• University of Applied Sciences Eastern Switzerland (OST)
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU)
• University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI)
• Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana
• Zurich University of the Arts (ZHDK)

Also Check: University of Cologne, Germany PhD and Postdoc Positions 2026 (Fully Funded)

Key Elements of the Scholarship Application:

Research Scholarships

• Complete CV (educational background, degrees, awards, publications, experience)
• Letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages)
• Research proposal (detailed plan with timeline, maximum 5 pages, using FCS/ESKAS form)
• Letter of support from Swiss academic supervisor + short CV of the supervisor
• For research fellowships: short CV of the home university supervisor
• Email addresses of two professors for recommendation letters
• Copies of certificates and transcripts (with certified translations if needed)
• Copy of passport
• Residence permit or registration confirmation (if applicable)

Art Scholarships

• Confirmation of admission or application from the Swiss art university
• Complete CV (including exhibitions, concerts, teaching experience)
• Letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages)
• Email addresses of two professors for recommendation letters
• Copies of certificates and transcripts (with certified translations if needed)
• Copy of passport
• Residence permit or registration confirmation (if applicable)
• Art Portfolio (PDF with links/QR codes to work samples)

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Exclusion Criteria:

General Exclusion Criteria (All Types)

• Incomplete or formally incorrect application
• Multiple applications for different universities or scholarship types
• Living, studying, or working in Switzerland for more than 13 months before the scholarship starts
• Previous recipient of a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
• Fourth application after three unsuccessful attempts

Additional Criteria for Research Scholarships

• No academic supervisor or letter of support
• More than one research project proposal
• Missing admission confirmation (for graduate school PhDs)

Additional Criteria for Art Scholarships

• Already holds a Master’s degree at the start of the scholarship

How to Apply:

• Applications are accepted only via the official online portal (access available from 20 August 2026). Do not send emails or paper documents.

Also Check: Fully Funded PhD, Postdoc and Professor Positions at SLU, Sweden 2026