The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28 support talented international researchers and art students who want to study or conduct research in Switzerland. The program is managed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) and is currently available to applicants from 183 countries.
The program is not limited to PhD students. For 2027–2028, it includes Research Fellowships, PhD Scholarships, and Art Scholarships. Each route has different requirements.
Quick Highlights for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28 |
| Awarding Body | Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) |
| Host Country | Switzerland |
| Eligible Countries | 183 countries |
| Scholarship Types | Research Fellowship, PhD Scholarship, Art Scholarship |
| Maximum Age | Depends on the scholarship type |
| Monthly Scholarship | CHF 2,450 |
| Research/PhD Requirement | Swiss academic supervisor |
| Research Fellowship | 6–12 months |
| PhD Scholarship | 12 months, renewable up to 36 months |
| Art Scholarship | 12 months, extendable up to 21 months |
| Applications Open | August 20, 2026 |
| Deadline | Varies by country of origin |
| Scholarship Start | September 1, 2027 |
| Final Decisions | By the end of May 2027 |
| Application Fee | Free |
| Official Link | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships |
About the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28 are mainly intended for talented early-career researchers from abroad. Research scholarships are available in all academic fields at eligible Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL, and research institutes within the ETH Domain.
Art Scholarships are for students seeking their first Master’s degree in an artistic field at a Swiss art school or conservatory. They are available only to applicants from a limited number of countries.
Postdoctoral scholarships will no longer be offered from the 2027–2028 academic year.
Other Related Scholarships : Commonwealth Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Master’s & PhD in the UK
Research Fellowship
A Research Fellowship is for highly qualified early-career researchers who are pursuing a PhD in their home country. It allows them to carry out a one-year research project at a Swiss higher education institution or recognised research institute.
The fellowship lasts 6 to 12 months and cannot be extended.
Applicants need a Master’s degree or equivalent completed by July 31, 2027. For ETH Zurich, the deadline is June 30, 2027. A Swiss academic supervisor must support the application.
PhD Scholarship
The PhD Scholarship is for highly qualified researchers who have completed a Master’s degree and want to pursue a PhD in Switzerland.
The scholarship is awarded for 12 months and can be renewed twice, up to 36 months, subject to academic progress.
Applicants must complete their Master’s degree by July 31, 2027, or June 30, 2027 for ETH Zurich. A Swiss academic supervisor is required.
Applying for the scholarship and applying for admission to a Swiss doctoral program are separate procedures.
Art Scholarship
The Art Scholarship supports talented young artists pursuing their first Master’s degree in Switzerland. It is available only to applicants from selected countries.
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent by July 31, 2027. They must not already hold a Master’s degree when the scholarship begins.
Applicants also need an admission letter or proof of application from a Swiss university of the arts or music. The application includes an artistic portfolio, and selection considers the applicant’s artistic profile, qualifications, motivation, and portfolio.
The scholarship lasts 12 months and can be extended up to 21 months, depending on the Master’s program and required ECTS credits.
Eligibility Criteria for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28
The exact requirements depend on the scholarship type and country of origin. Common requirements include:
- Being from an eligible country
- Meeting the age requirement for the chosen scholarship
- Meeting the academic requirements for the chosen scholarship
- Preparing the required documents
- Meeting the country-specific application deadline
Research and PhD applicants must have a Swiss academic supervisor who supports the proposed research. Finding the supervisor is the applicant’s responsibility.
Applicants already living in Switzerland must also meet the program’s residence-date requirement. The official rules state that entry into Switzerland must not be earlier than August 1, 2026 for the relevant applications.
Who Should NOT Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28
✘ You have already received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship before
✘ This would be your fourth application after three unsuccessful attempts
✘ You are submitting more than one research project proposal, or applying to multiple host universities or scholarship types at the same time
✘ You cannot secure a letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (for Research Fellowship or PhD Scholarship applicants)
Other Related Scholarships : Chevening Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded UK Government Master’s Scholarship
Selection Criteria
The FCS assesses applications based on:
- Candidate profile
- Quality of the research project or artistic work
- Potential for future research cooperation and synergies with Switzerland
Scholarship Benefits for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28
All three scholarship types provide CHF 2,450 per month for basic living expenses for one person. This is a scholarship contribution, not a salary.
Additional benefits include:
- One-time CHF 600 rental deposit grant
- Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
- Health insurance premiums for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
- Return flight allowance for eligible scholars from non-EU/EFTA countries
- Excursions and activities organised for federal scholarship holders
The scholarship does not cover tuition or semester fees. It also does not fund conference participation or field research. EU/EFTA scholars must cover their own travel expenses and health insurance.
Required Application Materials
Research and PhD applicants generally need:
- CV
- Motivation letter of up to two pages
- Research proposal of up to five pages
- Support letter from a Swiss academic supervisor
- Short CV of the Swiss supervisor
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Passport copy
- Contact details for two professors who will provide recommendations
Research Fellowship applicants also need the short CV of their academic supervisor at their home university.
Art Scholarship applicants need a CV, motivation letter, academic documents, admission letter or proof of application, and an artistic portfolio. Exact requirements vary by artistic field and institution.
How to Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28
- Check which scholarship types and deadlines are available for your country.
- Review the requirements for your chosen scholarship.
- If applying for a research scholarship, find a suitable Swiss academic supervisor early.
- Register in the Grants Online (GO ESKAS) system.
- Prepare and upload the required documents.
- Submit the application through GO ESKAS before your country’s deadline.
Applications are submitted online only. The FCS does not accept applications by email or in paper form.
Other Related Scholarships : University of Miami Stamps Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Undergraduate Award.
Important Dates for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | August 20, 2026 |
| Country-Specific Deadline | Varies by country of origin |
| Research/PhD Master’s Deadline | July 31, 2027 |
| ETH Zurich Master’s Deadline | June 30, 2027 |
| Scholarship Start | September 1, 2027 |
| Final Decisions | By the end of May 2027 |
The Swiss Government publishes the available scholarship types and deadlines according to country of origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship only for PhD students?
No. The 2027–2028 program includes Research Fellowships, PhD Scholarships, and Art Scholarships.
How much is the scholarship?
CHF 2,450 per month, plus the applicable additional benefits.
Does it cover tuition?
No. Tuition and semester fees must be paid by scholarship holders where applicable.
Do I need a Swiss supervisor?
Yes, for Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships.
What is the deadline?
It varies by country of origin. Check the official Swiss Government page for your country’s deadline.
Is there an application fee?
No. The application is free.
Can I apply again if I was rejected before?
Yes, but only up to three times. A fourth application is not accepted.
When will decisions be announced?
The FCS will announce scholarship decisions by the end of May 2027 at the latest.
Official Links
🌐 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
📄 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships at a Glance
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