Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/28 in Switzerland | Fully Funded

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Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/28 are opening applications for international students, researchers, and artists seeking advanced academic and research opportunities in Switzerland.

The scholarships are offered by the Swiss Confederation and administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS). The program promotes international academic exchange and research collaboration with Swiss higher education and research institutions.

The scholarship opportunities include Research Fellowships, PhD Scholarships, and Art Scholarships. Applicants should note that deadlines vary by country, so it is important to check the specific deadline for your country of citizenship.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/28 – Details

Host Country: Switzerland 🇨🇭
Academic Year: 2027–2028
Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Opening Date: 20 August 2026
Eligible Countries: More than 180 countries/territories
Deadline: Varies by country
Administered By: Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS)

Financial Benefits

Depending on the scholarship category and applicable conditions, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship provides:

Round-trip airfare
Monthly stipend
Housing allowance
One-year half-fare public transportation card
Health insurance
Support toward living and accommodation expenses

Important: Tuition-fee arrangements can vary. Some Swiss universities cover tuition fees, while others may still charge tuition. Applicants should therefore check the conditions of their chosen institution.

Types of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

1. Research Fellowship

The Research Fellowship is designed for highly qualified early-career researchers.

Successful applicants can conduct a full-time research project at eligible Swiss institutions, including:

Swiss universities
Universities of applied sciences
ETH Zurich
EPFL
Recognized research institutes within the ETH Domain

Applicants should have a strong research profile and a clearly defined research project.

2. PhD Scholarship

The PhD Scholarship is intended for qualified researchers who have completed a Master’s degree and wish to pursue doctoral research in Switzerland.

The scholarship can support doctoral studies for up to 36 months, subject to the applicable conditions and satisfactory academic progress.

3. Art Scholarship

The Art Scholarship is designed for highly talented young artists who want to pursue their first Master’s degree at an eligible Swiss art school or conservatory.

Applicants for this category have different academic and admission requirements from Research Fellowship and PhD applicants.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility requirements depend on the scholarship category and country of origin.

For the 2027/28 Research Fellowship and PhD categories, applicants generally need to:

Hold a completed Master’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027.
For ETH Zurich, the relevant degree deadline is 30 June 2027.
Have been born after 31 December 1991.
Demonstrate a strong academic and research profile.
Prepare a detailed research proposal, including a timeline.
Obtain support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss higher education institution.
Meet the additional requirements specified for their country.

Requirements for Art Scholarships

Applicants generally need to:

Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027.
Not already hold a Master’s degree.
Obtain an admission letter or provide proof of application to an eligible Swiss university of the arts or music.
Meet the specific requirements for their country and selected institution.

Important: You Need a Swiss Academic Supervisor

One of the most important requirements for Research Fellowship and PhD applicants is finding an academic supervisor in Switzerland.

The supervisor must be willing to support and supervise your proposed research project.

Applications without the required academic supervisor will not be considered.

Therefore, prospective applicants should begin contacting suitable professors or research groups well before submitting the scholarship application.

Country-Specific Deadlines

There is no single application deadline for every country.

The deadline depends on your country of citizenship and the scholarship category. Applicants should check the official country-specific list before preparing their application.

This is especially important for African applicants because the deadline applicable to one country may differ from another.

How to Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027/28

The application process is conducted through the official Swiss Government scholarship system.

Step 1: Check Your Country

First, identify the specific scholarship opportunities and deadline applicable to your country.

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Scholarship

Determine whether you are applying for:

Research Fellowship
PhD Scholarship
Art Scholarship

Step 3: Find a Swiss Academic Supervisor

Research and PhD applicants should identify an appropriate Swiss academic supervisor and obtain the required support before submitting the application.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Prepare your academic qualifications, research proposal, supporting documents, and any additional documents required for your country and scholarship category.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the application according to the official instructions before your country-specific deadline.

Application Deadline

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/28 open on:

20 August 2026

However, the application deadline is different for each country.

Check the official country list carefully to find your exact deadline.

How to Apply

For the official scholarship information, country-specific requirements, deadlines, and application instructions:

APPLY FOR THE SWISS GOVERNMENT EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP

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