The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are international scholarships offered by the Swiss Confederation to support foreign students and researchers. These Europe scholarships are designed to promote global academic exchange and international research cooperation at Switzerland’s top universities and institutions. Managed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), the program supports full-time research fellowships, PhD studies, and Master’s-level arts education in Switzerland.
Every year, the Swiss government offers scholarships to International students from over 180 countries. However, not all scholarship types are available for every country. The availability and application deadlines depend entirely on your country of origin. To find out what scholarships you can apply for, you must check the A–Z list of countries provided on the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships website.
Studying in Switzerland is a dream for many students seeking a world-class education in Europe. With top-ranked universities, cutting-edge research facilities, and a safe, beautiful environment, Switzerland is a popular destination for academic and professional growth. These scholarships offer a great opportunity to become part of this dynamic educational system. However, students should be prepared for the overall cost of studying in Europe, as additional expenses such as tuition fees, travel, and personal needs may arise depending on the university and program. Planning your budget early is highly recommended.
Swiss Government ExcellenceScholarships 2027-28:
Host Country:
- Switzerland
Awarded By:
- Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students.
Course Level:
- Research Fellowship
- PhD
- Master’s Degree in Arts (only for eligible countries)
Available Scholarships:
- Swiss Government Excellence Research Fellowship
- Swiss Government Excellence PhD Scholarship
- Swiss Government Excellence Art Scholarship (Master’s)
List of the Eligible Countries under Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-2028:
List of Host Universities in Switzerland under Swiss Government Scholarships:
For Research Fellowships & PhD Scholarships:
- 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
- EPFL
- ETH Zurich
- ETH Domain Research Institutes: PSI, WSL, Empa, Eawag
- Graduate Institute Geneva (IHEID)
- Eligible Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences
- Universities of Teacher Education
- UniDistance Suisse (presence in Switzerland required)
- Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET)
- Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM)
For 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)
Check ISTA Postdoctoral Fellowships in Austria | Fully Funded
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Benefits:
- CHF 2,450/month for Research Fellowships, PhD Scholarships & Art Scholarships
- CHF 600 one-time grant for rental deposit
- Compulsory health insurance premiums covered for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
- Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
- Return flight allowance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
- Excursions and activities organized for federal scholarship holders
Types of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships:
1. Research Fellowships
- Objective: For postgraduate/early-career researchers to conduct research in Switzerland.
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Eligibility:
- Master’s degree
- Maximum age: 35
- Research proposal
- Must have an academic supervisor in Switzerland willing to support and guide the proposed research
- Duration: Maximum 12 months
- Amount: CHF 2,450/month
2. PhD Scholarships
- Objective: For eligible applicants pursuing PhD-level research in Switzerland.
-
Eligibility:
- Master’s degree
- Maximum age: 35
- Research proposal
- Must have an academic supervisor in Switzerland
- Other requirements may depend on the university and applicant’s country
- Duration: Maximum 36 months
- Amount: CHF 2,450/month
4. Art Scholarships
- Objective: For art students who want to pursue their first Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland.
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Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Maximum age: 35
- Must seek admission or provide proof of application to an eligible Swiss art institution
- Available only to applicants from a limited number of countries
- Duration: Maximum 21 months
- Amount: CHF 2,450/month
Check Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027-28 in the UK | Fully Funded
Academic Supervision Requirement (Important Step):
To apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for research, PhD, or postdoctoral studies, every applicant must have an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
What Is an Academic Supervisor?
- An academic supervisor is usually a professor or research group leader at a Swiss university or institute. They must agree to support your research project and provide a letter of support along with their short CV.
Why It’s Important:
- Applications without a Swiss supervisor will be rejected.
- This applies to all research-based scholarships, including PhD programs.
- The supervisor helps guide your project and confirms that it fits within their research field.
How to Find a Supervisor:
- Search Swiss university websites and look for professors in your research area.
- Check their latest work to make sure your project aligns.
- Send a professional email with your CV, research idea (2–3 pages), and a motivation letter.
Tips Before You Reach Out:
- Make sure your background and degree match the field.
- Be clear and polite in your email.
- Finding the right professor can take weeks, so start early.
Important Note: Getting a supervisor and getting admission into a university are two separate steps. You need both for a successful application.
Documents Required for the Swiss Scholarships:
- Complete CV covering education, degrees, awards, positions, publications, teaching, and practical experience
- Motivation letter, maximum 2 pages
- Research proposal using the official FCS/ESKAS form, maximum 5 pages, including a timeline, milestones, activities, and a summary for non-specialists
- Letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland
- Short CV of the Swiss academic supervisor, maximum 2 pages
- For Research Fellowships: short CV of the academic supervisor at the applicant’s home university
- For PhD scholarships at graduate/doctoral schools: confirmation of admission to the graduate school
- Two academic referees: applicants provide the email addresses of two different professors in the relevant field. The system contacts them to upload recommendation letters
- Copies of university certificates and transcripts
- Certified translations if the academic documents are not in English, French, Italian, or German
- Copy of passport; dual citizens submit copies of both passports
- Copy of residence permit or registration confirmation, if already living in Switzerland
Good Luck!
