The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are among the most prestigious fully funded opportunities in Europe, awarded annually by the Swiss Confederation to support international researchers, PhD candidates, and artists at Switzerland’s leading universities and research institutions. Administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS), the programme is open to applicants from more than 180 countries.
If you’re researching fully funded postgraduate opportunities for the 2027/28 academic year, this guide covers exactly who qualifies, what the scholarship pays, what documents you need, and how the application process works.
Quick Overview
| Levels covered | Research Fellowship, PhD Scholarship, Art (Master’s) Scholarship |
| Funded by | Swiss Confederation, via the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) |
| Countries eligible | Over 180 countries |
| Application opens | 20 August 2026 |
| Deadline | Country-specific — published by Swiss embassies from August 2026 |
| Programme start | 1 September 2027 |
| Monthly stipend | CHF 2,450 |
What the Scholarship Covers
All three scholarship categories — Research Fellowship, PhD Scholarship, and Art Scholarship — pay the same core benefits:
- CHF 2,450 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person (this is a stipend, not a salary, and does not fund fieldwork or conference travel)
- Health insurance: FCS covers compulsory Swiss health insurance premiums for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
- One-time grant of CHF 600 toward a rental deposit
- Half-Fare Travelcard for Swiss public transport
- Return flight allowance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries (amount depends on country of origin), usable up to two months after the scholarship ends
Important — what is NOT covered:
- Tuition and semester fees are not included. Depending on the institution, you may still owe semester fees (roughly CHF 600–2,000) or reduced tuition, which you are responsible for paying yourself.
- The stipend covers one person only — there are no family allowances, and bringing dependents is subject to a currently restrictive federal and cantonal migration policy.
- Conference participation and fieldwork costs are the scholarship holder’s responsibility.
Scholarship Categories & Eligibility
1. Research Fellowship
For highly qualified early-career researchers in any academic field, including young medical doctors, to carry out a research project as part of doctoral studies.
- Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027 (ETH Zurich: 30 June 2027)
- Born after 31 December 1991
- Detailed research plan with a timeline of milestones and activities
- A letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (plus their short CV)
- Duration: 6–12 months, no extensions, starting 1 September 2027
2. PhD Scholarship
For researchers who have completed a master’s degree and wish to pursue a full PhD at a Swiss university or recognised research institute.
- Same core eligibility as the Research Fellowship (master’s completed by 31 July 2027, born after 31 December 1991, research plan, academic supervisor with letter of support)
- Duration: 12 months, renewable twice for up to 36 months total, subject to academic progress
- Starts 1 September 2027
3. Art Scholarship
For talented young artists pursuing their first Master’s degree at a Swiss art school or conservatory. Available to a limited number of countries only.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027
- Born after 31 December 1991
- Must not already hold a Master’s degree
- Admission letter or proof of application to a Swiss university of the arts or music
- Duration: 12 months, extendable up to 21 months depending on the programme
For all categories: if you already reside in Switzerland, your date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2026, and priority is given to applicants who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland.
Finding an Academic Supervisor (Research & PhD Applicants)
Every research and PhD application requires a letter of support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss university — applications without one will not be considered. Before reaching out to potential supervisors:
- Confirm the professor or lab group leader is active in your specific research area
- For PhD scholarships, confirm they are authorised to supervise doctoral theses (universities of applied sciences require two supervisors, one of whom must be authorised to confer doctorates at a traditional university)
- Start early — professors receive many enquiries, and securing a supervisor can take weeks or months
- Note that the PhD scholarship application and admission to a doctoral programme at a Swiss institution are two separate processes
Required Documents
Research & PhD applicants:
- Complete CV (education, degrees, awards, positions, publications, teaching/practical experience)
- Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages)
- Research proposal on the official FCS/ESKAS form (max. 5 pages, including a summary for non-specialists)
- Letter of support from your Swiss academic supervisor, plus their short CV
- Email addresses of two professors in your field who will be asked to submit recommendation letters through the online system
- Certified transcripts and certificates (with certified translations if not in English, French, Italian, or German)
- Copy of passport
- Copy of residence permit or registration confirmation, if already residing in Switzerland
Art applicants:
- Complete CV including exhibitions, concerts, and practical experience
- Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages)
- Two professors’ email addresses for recommendation letters
- Certified transcripts and certificates
- Passport copy
- Art portfolio (format depends on discipline — recordings or QR codes for music/performance, portfolio links for visual arts)
- Confirmation of admission (or pending admission) from a Swiss university of the arts or music
Application Process
- Check country-specific details. Deadlines, and in some cases eligibility, vary by country and are published through Swiss embassies and diplomatic missions starting August 2026.
- Secure a supervisor (research and PhD applicants) or confirm admission at a Swiss art institution (art applicants) before applying.
- Submit your application online through the official FCS/ESKAS portal once it opens.
- Recommendation letters are collected automatically — the system emails your listed referees directly.
- Preliminary review is conducted by national authorities and/or the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation, followed by final evaluation by the FCS.
Applications are evaluated on academic profile and motivation, originality and quality of the proposed project, and the quality of supervision and potential for future collaboration.
Key Dates
- Applications open: 20 August 2026
- Country-specific deadlines: Published via Swiss embassies from August 2026 — check your country’s page before preparing documents
- Selection results: Expected by May 2027
- Programme start: 1 September 2027
Because securing an academic supervisor can take months, it’s worth beginning that search well before applications formally open.
Common Reasons Applications Are Rejected
- Incomplete application or formal errors
- Multiple simultaneous applications to different host universities or scholarship types
- Living, studying, or working in Switzerland for more than 13 months before the scholarship start date
- Having already received this scholarship previously
- This being a fourth attempt after three unsuccessful applications
- (Research/PhD) No academic supervisor named, or no letter of support provided
- (Research/PhD) More than one research project proposal submitted
- (Art) Already holding a Master’s degree or equivalent at the start of the scholarship
Official Resources
- Main programme page: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships
- Full eligibility, benefits & document details: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-at-a-glance
- FAQ for applicants and supervisors: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/faq-swiss-government-excellence-scholarships
- Online application portal (live from 20 August 2026): accessible via the official FCS/ESKAS system linked on the pages above
Always confirm your specific country’s deadline and eligibility rules on the official pages before preparing documents — these details differ by country and are only published closer to August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship really fully funded? It covers a monthly stipend, health insurance for non-EU/EFTA holders, a rental deposit grant, public transport travelcard, and a return flight allowance. It does not cover tuition or semester fees, which remain the applicant’s responsibility.
Do I need to already have a Swiss university supervisor before applying? Yes, for Research Fellowship and PhD applications — a letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor is mandatory, and applications without one are automatically excluded.
Can I bring my family? The stipend covers one person only. Residence permits for accompanying family members are decided separately by migration authorities, under a currently restrictive policy.
Is there an age limit? Yes — applicants across all three categories must be born after 31 December 1991.
Can I apply if I’ve already studied in Switzerland? Priority goes to applicants who haven’t previously studied or researched in Switzerland. If you’ve lived, studied, or worked there for more than 13 months before the scholarship start date, you’re excluded.
When will I know my country’s specific deadline? Country-specific deadlines are published through Swiss embassies and diplomatic missions starting in August 2026 — check the official page for your country before finalizing your documents.
Follow @stepbystepscholarshipguide for more fully funded scholarship breakdowns, deadlines, and step-by-step application guidance.
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