If you are planning to study in Switzerland with financial support, the applications for EPFL Excellence Fellowships are one of the best opportunities available for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs across a wide range of fields. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the applications for EPFL Excellence Fellowships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2026-2027 are offered for master’s studies. These scholarships provide up to 32,000 CHF along with accommodation, tuition fees, and visa fees.
EPFL offers a limited number of fellowships at the master’s level to students with outstanding academic records. Some of the fellowships are financed directly by EPFL, while others are funded through partnerships with foundations or companies. EPFL is Europe’s most cosmopolitan technical university, with students, professors, and staff from over 120 nations. A dynamic environment open to Switzerland and the world, EPFL focuses on three key missions: teaching, research, and technology transfer.
EPFL collaborates with an extensive network of partners, including other universities and institutes of technology, secondary schools and colleges, industry, political circles, and the general public, to bring about a meaningful impact on society.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Masters
- Institution(s): École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- Study Destination: Switzerland
- Opportunity Focus Areas: Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Computer and Communication Sciences, Basic Sciences, Life Sciences, Management of Technology, College of Humanities, and EPFL Middle East.
- Program Period: 1.5-year Master’s program or 2-year Master’s program (according to the type of the program).
EPFL Excellence Fellowships Application Deadline
The annual application deadlines for the EPFL Excellence Fellowships are December 15 for the first round and March 31 for the second round. Click here for more details.
Scholarship Coverage
EPFL Excellence Fellowships provide the recipients with the following benefits:
- CHF 10,000 per semester
- Reservation of a student room in a student residence
- A certificate of excellence (at the end of the master’s program)
- Fellowship holders will be responsible for covering all expenses on their own (including rent).
The fellowship will be paid for 4 semesters maximum (3 semesters for a 90-credit master’s program) provided that the fellowship holder is registered as a regular EPFL student (see section 4.6). No extension is possible, even in the case that the student decides to take a minor or for any other reason that might extend the duration of studies.
Eligibility Criteria for EPFL Excellence Fellowships
To be eligible for EPFL Excellence Fellowships, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: All countries.
- Anyone holding a bachelor’s degree from a university (or the equivalent) in a field related to EPFL curricula can apply to one of the EPFL Master’s programs. (Are not eligible candidates who already hold a master’s degree, or equivalent, in the field (or a similar field) of the program for which they would apply).
- The applicants should hold outstanding academic records and references.
How to Apply for EPFL Excellence Fellowships?
Please follow the instructions below to apply for EPFL Excellence Fellowships:
(1) Register through the online application from here.
(2) Fill in the online application.
(3) All documents provided should be in English, French, German, or Italian. Please attach a legalized translation of all documents in another language:
- A resume.
- Your academic diploma(s) or bachelor’s(s) are certified. If you are not yet in possession of your diploma, you must imperatively submit it to the Academic Service upon your arrival*.
- All your certified university graduation reports.
- A cover letter should not exceed 1000 words. We ask you to describe your academic background and your career plan.
- The contact details of three academic referees, each of whom will have to provide a letter of recommendation concerning you (except for candidates already registered in another Swiss Federal Institute of Technology or university, who apply for a master’s degree in the same branch of study as their bachelor’s).
- Three referees: letters of recommendation should come from teachers who are familiar with your work and your potential. These recommendations are confidential and will not be accepted if they are not generated by the electronic application.
- Your identity card or passport.
- For foreigners domiciled in Switzerland: your residence permit.
Website
To learn more about EPFL Excellence Fellowships, please visit the official website: