Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026–2027

If you're an early-career researcher or artist from one of over 180 eligible countries, seeking to pursue advanced postgraduate studies or artistic development, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026–2027 offer prestigious, fully funded opportunities in Switzerland. Applications open early August 2025— here's everything you need to know!

📘 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Switzerland (public universities, ETH Zurich/EPFL, ETH-domain research institutes, universities of applied sciences, and select art conservatories)

• Eligibility: International applicants with a Master’s degree (research/postdoc) or Bachelor’s degree (art scholarships), and born after 31 Dec 1990

• Fields Supported: Academic research (PhD, postdoc, research fellowships) and visual/performing arts (first Master’s level, limited countries)

• Award Duration: One year; renewable up to 3 years for PhD, up to 21 months for arts; non-renewable for research/postdoc

• Scholarship Start: 1 September 2026; entry not before 1 August 2025

• Application Deadline: Varies by country; application period opens around 4 August 2025; evaluation continues until May 2026

🧭 Programme Overview

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships aim to strengthen international research collaboration by bringing outstanding early-career researchers and artists to Switzerland for full-time postgraduate research or advanced artistic work. Awards are coordinated by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) and governed under federal regulations .

Applicants must secure supervision from a Swiss academic or artistic institution before applying. For research awards, supervisors must confirm support; for arts, applicants must be eligible for admission to a first Master’s at a recognized Swiss institution.

🎁 Benefits

• Monthly Stipend:

  • CHF 1,920 for research, PhD, and art scholarships

  • CHF 3,500 for postdoctoral scholars

• Additional Support:

  • Tuition waiver at many institutions (subject to host policies)

  • Health insurance coverage (for non‑EU/EFTA applicants)

  • One-off housing deposit (~CHF 300)

  • Swiss Half‑Fare Transport Card

  • Flight allowance for return (non‑EU/EFTA)

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Citizenship of one of the eligible countries (over 180 total)

• Master’s degree (research/postdoc); Bachelor’s degree only (arts scholarships)

• Born after 31 December 1990 

• Must secure confirmation from a Swiss institution (supervisor or art school)

• Not yet resident in Switzerland before scholarship start (mobility rule)

📝 Application Procedure

1. From 4 August 2025, download your country’s A–Z application package and guidelines.

2. Submit your complete application (including research/artistic proposal, supervisor confirmation, transcripts, references, etc.) to your Swiss diplomatic mission before the country-specific deadline—typically between September and December 2025.

3. National and Swiss authorities conduct preliminary screening; final selection decisions are made by the FCS by end of May 2026 

📌 Additional Tips

• Ensure your research or artistic proposal is clear, innovative, and align with a Swiss supervisor’s interests or an art programme entry criteria

• Beware of fraudulent messages—the FCS does not charge fees and communicates solely through official channels

• Prepare early—especially to find and liaise with prospective Swiss supervisors

🔗 OFFICIAL LINK

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026–202

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