If you plan to study in Switzerland with financial support, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is one of the best opportunities for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs at Swiss universities across a wide range of fields. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027-2028 is offered for master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral studies. This scholarship provides a monthly payment, exemption of tuition fees, health insurance, airfare, and a housing allowance.
The Swiss Scholarship is sponsored by the Federal Commission of Scholarships (FCS) in collaboration with the Swiss government. The Swiss Government Scholarship awards scholarships to more than 180 countries. Participants with any nationality are eligible. Highly qualified postgraduate researchers from all academic fields, as well as young medical doctors, can apply for this scholarship.
The research scholarship is available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree as a minimum) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or postdoctoral level. Research scholarships are awarded for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, and the two federal institutes of technology.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
- Institution(s): Swiss Government/Swiss Universities
- Study Destination: Switzerland
- Opportunity Focus Areas: See types below.
- Program Period: Depends on the chosen degree.
Types of Swiss Government
- The research scholarship is available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree as a minimum) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or postdoctoral level.
Research scholarships are awarded for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, and the two federal institutes of technology, as well as the four research institutes. Only candidates nominated by an academic mentor at one of these higher education institutions will be considered. - Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial master’s degree in Switzerland.
Art scholarships are awarded for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts. This scholarship is available to students from a limited number of countries only, specifically targeting those from developing nations and underrepresented regions to promote diversity in the arts.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Application Deadline
The application deadlines for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are country-specific. You can check it out here. (Scholarships for the 2027–2028 academic year will be advertised online from August 2026.)
Scholarship Coverage
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships will provide the recipient with the following benefits:
- The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 1,920.
- For non-EU and non-EFTA grantees only: the FCS pays mandatory Swiss health insurance.
- There are no family allowances.
- Scholarship holders from non-EU and non-EFTA countries receive a flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
- The scholarship holders also receive a special housing allowance of CHF 300, which is paid once at the beginning of the scholarship.
- The scholarship holders also receive a one-year half-fare public transportation card.
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders receive support services and participate in various trips, dinners, and sightseeing tours.
- Please refer to the country-specific fact sheets for exact scholarship benefits.
Eligibility Criteria for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
To qualify for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, candidates must fulfill all of the following requirements:
- Required Language: English.
- Eligible Countries: All countries.
- A master’s degree or an equivalent university degree, recognized by a Swiss university, must be achieved before 31 July 2026 (degree certificate). The Federal Commission for Scholarships must receive the degree before the scholarship starts.
- Applicants must be born after 31 December 1991.
- Those who have lived in Switzerland for over a year before the September scholarship start are ineligible.
- Applicants must provide a letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the research. Without such support, the application will be rejected.
- Applicants must have a research proposal, including a time frame. This is the centerpiece of the application. The applicant must devote all required attention to it.
- Applicants must be in command of the necessary language skills required for the research/studies, including proficiency in English and any other relevant languages that may be necessary for their specific field of study.
- Applicants who have already benefited from a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship.
- Scholarship holders are expected to move to Switzerland during their grant period.
Note: Please refer to the country-specific fact sheets for specific eligibility criteria.
How to Apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
Please follow the application instructions below for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships:
(1) Prepare the following documents:
- Signed FCS application form (typed and printed) with
- A full CV with a list of academic publications, awards,
- A motivation letter (max. 2 pages).
- A complete research proposal (max. 5 pages, signed), using the FCS research proposal
- A copy of the letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the research.
- A short CV of the academic mentor at the home institution.
- Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors in the applicant’s field (use exclusively the FCS reference form—originals in sealed envelopes only for the 1st set). No copies for the 2nd set.
- Photocopies of certificates and grade sheets from previously attended universities/colleges and diplomas with grades, starting with the most recent. If not in English, French, Italian, or German, with attested, certified translations in English. Do not submit the original certificates.
- Signed medical certificate (use only the FCS health certificate form).
- Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data). Dual nationals add copies of both passports. Applicants already in Switzerland during the application procedure should add a copy of the residence permit for Switzerland.
(2) The application package can be obtained from the Swiss representation of your country.
(3) Please submit 2 sets (= 1 original + 1 copy) of application documents in the exact order given below: The 1st set contains the original, signed documents plus the confidential letters of recommendation and, if applicable, the attested translations in English. The other set is a copy of the 1st set except for the confidential letters of recommendation (only in the 1st set). No copies for the 2nd set.
Note: Please do not put the documents into plastic folders or binders.
Website
To know more about Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, please visit the official website: