The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are prestigious awards funded by the Swiss Confederation to strengthen international academic exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 countries worldwide.
Administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students, the programme supports talented international researchers and artists who wish to pursue advanced studies, research or artistic development in Switzerland.
The scholarships are primarily aimed at early-career researchers who have already completed a Master’s degree and are seeking opportunities to collaborate with Swiss universities, research institutions and artistic academies.
Each year, applicants from 183 countries are eligible to compete for these highly sought-after awards.
Types of Scholarships Available
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are divided into two major categories.
Research Scholarships
Research scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers in any academic discipline who wish to undertake research activities in Switzerland.
Eligible host institutions include:
- Swiss cantonal universities
- Universities of applied sciences
- The ETH Zurich
- EPFL
- Research institutes within the ETH Domain
Available research awards include:
- Research Fellowships
- PhD Scholarships
Applicants must secure the support of an academic supervisor at a Swiss institution before submitting their application.
Art Scholarships
Art scholarships support talented international artists seeking to obtain their first Master’s degree in an artistic discipline in Switzerland.
These scholarships are available at Swiss conservatories, music academies and universities of the arts. However, they are only open to applicants from selected countries.
Scholarship Benefits and Financial Support
Successful applicants receive substantial financial assistance throughout their stay in Switzerland.
Benefits include:
- Monthly stipend of CHF 2,450
- Health insurance coverage for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
- One-time rental deposit allowance of CHF 600
- Half-Fare Travelcard for Swiss public transportation
- Participation in organised academic and cultural excursions
- Return flight allowance for scholarship recipients from non-EU/EFTA countries
The scholarship is intended to support basic living expenses and is not considered a salary.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility varies depending on the scholarship category.
For research scholarships, applicants must:
- Hold a Master’s degree before the scholarship begins
- Present a strong research proposal
- Obtain support from a Swiss academic supervisor
- Demonstrate excellent academic performance
- Show potential for future research collaboration
For art scholarships, applicants must:
- Complete a Bachelor’s degree by 31 July 2027
- Be born after 31 December 1991
- Not already possess a Master’s degree
- Obtain admission or proof of application to a Swiss arts institution
- Demonstrate outstanding artistic potential
Priority is generally given to applicants who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland.
Selection Process
Applications are first submitted through Swiss diplomatic representations in the applicant’s country.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students evaluates applications using three primary criteria:
- Academic and professional profile of the candidate
- Quality and originality of the research project or artistic work
- Potential for future academic cooperation between Switzerland and the applicant’s home country
Competition for the scholarships is intense, and only the most outstanding candidates are selected.
Required Application Documents
Research scholarship applicants are typically required to submit:
- Detailed curriculum vitae
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Letter of motivation
- Research proposal with timeline
- Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor
- Supervisor’s curriculum vitae
- Two academic recommendation letters
- Passport copy
Art scholarship applicants must submit:
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic records
- Motivation letter
- Portfolio of artistic work
- Two recommendation letters
- Proof of admission or application to a Swiss arts institution
- Passport copy
All documents must be prepared according to the official application guidelines.
Duration of the Scholarship
The duration depends on the type of scholarship awarded.
For art scholarships:
- Initial funding period of 12 months
- Possible extension up to 21 months depending on programme requirements
- Scholarship commencement date of 1 September 2027
Research fellowships and PhD scholarships are awarded according to the approved research timeline and institutional regulations.
Important Conditions for Scholarship Holders
Recipients are required to reside in Switzerland throughout the scholarship period and must live within the city or canton of their host institution.
The scholarship covers only the recipient and does not provide family allowances.
Scholarship holders remain responsible for:
- Tuition and semester fees where applicable
- Conference participation expenses
- Additional living costs beyond the scholarship amount
- Certain travel expenses for EU/EFTA nationals
Applicants should also note that applications for admission to Swiss universities and applications for the scholarship are separate procedures and must be completed independently.
Application Timeline
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year will open on 20 August 2026. Country-specific deadlines and application details will be published by Swiss authorities during the application period.
Successful candidates are expected to receive final decisions by the end of May 2027.
Application Deadline
Not Specified