Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Open for 2026-2027 Academic Year

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year are now accepting applications from international students and researchers. These scholarships, awarded by the Swiss Confederation through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), aim to foster global academic exchange and research collaboration at Switzerland's leading universities and institutions.

The program supports a range of academic pursuits, including full-time research, PhD studies, postdoctoral research, and arts education. Opportunities are available for students from over 180 countries, though the specific scholarships available vary by nationality. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships website for a comprehensive list of eligible countries and corresponding application deadlines.

A Gateway to World-Class Education

Switzerland is renowned for its high-quality education system, cutting-edge research facilities, and stable, secure environment. These scholarships provide a valuable opportunity for international students to access this dynamic academic landscape. While the scholarships offer significant financial support, applicants should carefully consider the overall cost of living and studying in Switzerland and plan their budgets accordingly.

Scholarship Details

Awarding Body: Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS)

Course Levels:

Master's Degree PhD Postdoc Research Degree

Available Scholarships:

Swiss Government Excellence Master’s Scholarships Swiss Government Excellence PhD Scholarships Swiss Government Excellence Postdoctoral Scholarships Swiss Government Excellence Research Scholarships Swiss Government Arts Scholarships

Eligible Host Universities in Switzerland

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are tenable at a wide range of prestigious institutions across Switzerland.

For Research, PhD & Postdoc 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 (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne) ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) Research Institutes of the ETH Domain: PSI, WSL, EMPA, EAWAG Graduate Institute Geneva (IHEID) Applied Sciences Universities (e.g., ZHAW, HSLU, FHNW, BFH, OST) Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM)

For Art Scholarships:

Zurich University of the Arts (ZHDK) Bern University of the Arts (HKB-BFH) Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) SUPSI

Scholarship Benefits

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide comprehensive financial support to recipients:

CHF 1,920/month for Research, PhD & Art Scholarships CHF 3,500/month for Postdoctoral Scholarships Free health insurance (for non-EU/EFTA countries) CHF 300 one-time rent deposit Swiss Half-Fare Travelcard Return flight (for non-EU/EFTA countries) Cultural trips and networking activities

Types of Scholarships and Eligibility Criteria

The program offers four primary scholarship types, each with specific eligibility requirements:

  1. Research Fellowships
Objective: To enable early-career researchers to conduct a one-year research project as part of their PhD. Eligibility:

Master’s degree completed by 31 July 2026 (ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026) Born after 31 December 1990 Detailed research plan with milestones Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor Entry to Switzerland must not be before 1 August 2025

Duration: 12 months (non-renewable) Start Date: 1 September 2026 Amount: CHF 1,920/month

  1. PhD Scholarships
Objective: To support students commencing a PhD in Switzerland. Eligibility:

Master’s degree completed by 31 July 2026 (ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026) Born after 31 December 1990 Research plan and academic support letter Confirmation of PhD admission from the university Entry to Switzerland must not be before 1 August 2025

Duration: 12 months, renewable up to 36 months Start Date: 1 September 2026 Amount: CHF 1,920/month

  1. Postdoctoral Scholarships
Objective: To facilitate postdoctoral research in Switzerland for researchers who have completed their PhD. Eligibility:

PhD completed between 1 January 2023 and 31 July 2026 (ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026) Research plan and academic support letter Entry to Switzerland must not be before 1 August 2025

Duration: 12 months (non-renewable) Start Date: 1 September 2026 Amount: CHF 3,500/month

  1. Art Scholarships
Objective: To support students pursuing their first Master’s degree in arts (music, fine arts, design, etc.). Eligibility:

Bachelor’s degree completed by 31 July 2026 Born after 31 December 1990 No previous Master’s degree Admission process to Swiss art school must be in progress Entry to Switzerland must not be before 1 August 2025

Duration: 12 months, renewable up to 21 months Start Date: 1 September 2026 Amount: CHF 1,920/month

The Crucial Role of Academic Supervision

A critical component of the application process for research, PhD, and postdoctoral scholarships is securing an academic supervisor in Switzerland. According to Dr. Anya Schmidt, a professor at the University of Zurich specializing in international student support, "The academic supervisor plays a pivotal role, not only in guiding the research project but also in validating the applicant's suitability for the Swiss academic environment. Applications lacking this crucial support are almost invariably rejected."

Finding a supervisor requires proactive engagement with Swiss university faculty. Potential applicants should meticulously research professors whose research aligns with their own interests, review their recent publications, and initiate contact with a well-crafted email containing their CV, a concise research proposal, and a compelling motivation letter. As Dr. Schmidt emphasizes, "Starting this process early is essential, as securing a supervisor can take considerable time."

Application Checklist

Applicants are advised to carefully review the specific application requirements for their chosen scholarship type. However, common requirements include:

Updated CV Motivation letter Research proposal (for research, PhD, and postdoctoral applicants) Support letter from a Swiss academic supervisor CV of the Swiss professor Proof of admission (for PhD applicants) Two reference letters Educational documents (transcripts and degree certificates) Medical certificate Passport copy Samples of artistic work (for art applicants)

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships represent a significant opportunity for international students and researchers to advance their academic careers in a world-class environment. Prospective applicants are encouraged to thoroughly research the available scholarships, carefully review the eligibility criteria, and begin the application process well in advance of the deadline.