Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
Get full details on eligibility, benefits, and application deadlines below.
Application Status
Country
Switzerland
Program Level
Masters, PhD
Start Date
Aug 04, 2025
Deadline
Sep 29, 2025
General Requirements
- Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of countries with which Switzerland maintains diplomatic relations.
- Previous Scholarships: Applicants who have previously received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible.
- Residency: Applicants must not have been in Switzerland for more than one year at the beginning of the scholarship
Specific Requirements
- PhD Scholarships:
- Master’s degree or equivalent obtained by July 31, 2026 (June 30, 2026, for ETH Zurich).
- Born after December 31, 1990.
- Detailed research proposal with a timeline.
- Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (including their short CV).
- If already in Switzerland, entry must be after August 1, 2025
- Postdoctoral Fellowships:
- PhD awarded between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2026 (June 30, 2026, for ETH Zurich).
- Born after December 31, 1990.
- Detailed research proposal with a timeline.
- Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (including their short CV).
- If already in Switzerland, entry must be after August 1, 2025.
- Research Fellowships:
- Master’s degree or equivalent obtained by July 31, 2026 (June 30, 2026, for ETH Zurich).
- Born after December 31, 1990.
- Detailed research proposal with a timeline.
- Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (including their short CV).
- If already in Switzerland, entry must be after August 1, 2025.
Required Documents
- Signed FCS application form (typed and printed).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Motivation letter (maximum two pages).
- Research proposal (maximum five pages), including a timeline and milestones.
- Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (including their short CV).
- Two recommendation letters from professors in your field.
- Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts (with translations if necessary).
- Medical certificate (using the FCS health certificate form).
- Copy of passport (or national ID card).
- Proof of admission to a Swiss doctoral program (for PhD applicants).
- Proof of entry into Switzerland after August 1, 2025 (if applicable).
Scholarship Benefits
- Monthly stipend:
- CHF 1,920 for PhD and Research Fellowships.
- CHF 3,500 for Postdoctoral Fellowships.
- Housing allowance: One-time grant of CHF 300.
- Health insurance: Fully covered for non-EU/EFTA fellows.
- Travel: Lump-sum return flight allowance to home country (for non-EU/EFTA fellows).
- Public transport: One-year Half Fare Travelcard for Swiss public transport.
- Cultural activities: Organized excursions and events.
- Note: The scholarship is not a salary and does not cover tuition fees or fieldwork expenses.
Application Process
- Find a Swiss Academic Supervisor: Identify a professor at a Swiss university or research institute who is willing to supervise your research.
- Prepare Application Documents: Gather all required documents as listed above.
- Submit Application: Submit your application to the Swiss diplomatic representation in your country of origin.
- Selection Process: Applications are reviewed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).
- Notification: Selected candidates will be notified by May 2026.
- Program Start: Successful applicants begin their scholarship on September 1, 2026