Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026/2027 for Foreign Students & Artists to study in Switzerland Funded)

August 5, 2025
South Africa

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Bursary Description


Application Deadline: Ongoing

Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to encourage international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. Recipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are mainly intended for talented early career researchers (ECRs) from abroad who have already completed their Master’s degree or PhD. The scholarship programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries.

Research scholarships

These scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline wishing to pursue research at any Swiss cantonal university, university of applied sciences, either of Switzerland’s two federal institutes of technology (ETHZ or EPFL) or at one of the four research institutes within the ETH Domain (PSI, WSL, Empa, Eawag). Prerequisite: the scholarship application must be backed by an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to direct and guide the applicant’s proposed research.

Objective

  • The scholarship enables selected applicants to carry out a one-year research project as part of their doctoral studies at a Swiss higher education institution or recognised research institute.
  • Valid only for full-time research in Switzerland.

Target group

  • Highly qualified early-career researchers from all academic fields, including young medical doctors.
  • Priority will be given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland (see eligibility criteria for exceptions).

Eligibility criteria

  • Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2026 (for ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026).
  • Date of birth after 31 December 1990.
  • Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities.
  • Applicants must have a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (including a short CV).
  • If the applicant already resides in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2025 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit).

Selection criteria

  • Academic profile, research competence, and motivation
  • Originality and methodological quality of the project
  • Quality of supervision and potential for future collaboration

Duration

  • Maximum of 12 months
  • No extensions possible
  • Start date: 1 September 2026

Scholarship amount

  • CHF 1,920 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person
  • This scholarship is not a salary

PhD Scholarships


Objective

  • This scholarship is intended to support selected applicants in pursuing a PhD at a Swiss university or recognised research institute.
  • Valid only for full-time research in Switzerland.

Target group

  • Highly qualified researchers who have completed a master’s degree in any academic field
  • Priority will be given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland (see eligibility criteria for exceptions).

Eligibility criteria

  • Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2026 (for ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026).
  • Date of birth after 31 December 1990.
  • Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities.
  • Applicants must have a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (including a short CV).
  • If the applicant already resides in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2025 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit).

Selection criteria

  • Academic profile, research competence, and motivation
  • Originality and methodological quality of the project
  • Quality of supervision and potential for future collaboration

Duration

  • 12 months, renewable twice for up to 36 months (subject to academic progress during the first 12 months).
  • Start date: 1 September 2026.

Scholarship amount

  • CHF 1,920 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person
  • This scholarship is not a salary

Art scholarships

Art scholarships are open to students wishing to pursue an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland. This scholarship is available to students from a limited number of countries only.

Scholarships: Amount and additional benefits

  • Research fellowships, PhD scholarships and art scholarships: CHF 1,920 per month to cover basic living expenses of one person.
    Please note: This scholarship is not a salary.
    No funding is provided for fieldwork and participation in conferences
  • Postdoctoral scholarship: CHF 3,500 per month to cover living expenses of one person.
    Please note: This scholarship is not a salary.
    No funding is provided for fieldwork and participation in conferences.
  • Additional benefits:
    • Health insurance: FCS covers the premiums for compulsory health insurance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries. Scholarship holders from EU/EFTA countries must cover these costs themselves.
    • One-time grant of CHF 300 for rental deposit.
    • Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
    • In addition, the coordinating body organises excursions and activities for federal scholarship holders.
    • Return flight allowance:
      Scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries receive a return flight allowance (amount determined by country of origin). This allowance may be used up to two months after expiry of the scholarship exclusively for the purpose of returning to the country of origin.
  • Costs to be paid by scholarship holders:
    • Tuition fees:
      The Federal Excellence Scholarship does not cover tuition or semester fees. In some cases, universities, universities of applied sciences or federal institutes of technology require scholarship holders to pay semester fees (approx. CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester) or reduced tuition fees. In some cases, PhD fees are not waived.
      Scholarship holders must cover these fees themselves.
    • Conferences:
      The costs of participating in international conferences are borne by the scholarship holders.
    • Field research:
      PhD scholarship holders may request to do field research for up to six months (without additional funding). All associated costs are borne by the scholarship holders.
    • Travel expenses:
      Scholarship holders from EU/EFTA countries must pay their own travel expenses.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships


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