What are the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships support international exchange, research cooperation and academic mobility between Switzerland and countries around the world. The programme is funded by the Swiss Confederation and assessed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students, known as the FCS or ESKAS.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, applicants from 183 countries may be eligible. However, scholarship types and deadlines vary by country, so every applicant must check the official country list before applying.
The programme mainly targets talented early-career researchers who have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent. It also offers a scholarship for artists pursuing their first Master’s degree in Switzerland.
Scholarship types at a glance
| Scholarship | Intended applicant | Duration | Monthly grant |
| Research fellowship | PhD candidates conducting research in Switzerland as part of doctoral studies | 6–12 months | CHF 2,450 |
| PhD scholarship | Researchers pursuing a full-time PhD in Switzerland | 12 months, renewable up to 36 months | CHF 2,450 |
| Master in Arts | Artists pursuing their first Master’s degree | 21 months | CHF 2,450 |
All three scholarships require full-time study or research in Switzerland. Research-fellowship and PhD applicants must also secure a qualified Swiss academic supervisor.
Eligibility requirements for 2027–2028
Research and PhD applicants generally need a Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027. For applicants to ETH Zurich, the deadline is 30 June 2027. Applicants must have been born after 31 December 1991.
A research fellowship supports a research project completed as part of doctoral studies. It is intended for highly qualified early-career researchers pursuing a PhD in their home country, including young medical doctors. The project must be conducted full-time in Switzerland, last between six and twelve months and begin on 1 September 2027. Applicants must submit a detailed research proposal, a timeline with milestones and activities, and a support letter from a Swiss academic supervisor.
The PhD scholarship supports a doctorate at a Swiss university or recognised research institute. It begins with twelve months of funding and may be renewed twice, for a possible total of up to 36 months, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Applicants need a detailed research plan and a qualified Swiss supervisor. Applicants to recognised graduate schools may also need official confirmation of admission; individual doctoral candidates should confirm the exact requirement with their host institution.
The Master in Arts scholarship is for highly talented artists who do not already hold a Master’s degree or equivalent. Applicants need a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027, admission or proof of application to a Swiss art school or conservatory, and the required age eligibility. This scholarship is available only to applicants from selected countries; the official overview lists 26 countries.
Finding a Swiss academic supervisor
Finding a supervisor is essential for a research fellowship or PhD scholarship. The supervisor must endorse the proposed project and provide a formal support letter, normally with a short CV. Applications without the required support are not considered.
Applicants are responsible for contacting a suitable professor or laboratory group leader. For PhD applications, the supervisor must be authorised to supervise doctoral theses. At a university of applied sciences, applicants may need two supervisors, including one authorised to confer doctorates at a traditional university.
The official FAQ recommends targeted, personal and well-prepared inquiries because Swiss professors receive many requests. Before writing, study the professor’s research, explain why your project is a strong fit and attach a concise CV and project summary.
What does the scholarship cover?
The grant of CHF 2,450 per month is intended to cover the basic living expenses of one person. The Swiss authorities stress that it is not a salary.
Additional benefits may include compulsory health-insurance premiums for non-EU/EFTA holders, a one-time CHF 600 rental-deposit grant, a Half-Fare Travelcard and organised excursions. Non-EU/EFTA holders may also receive a return-flight allowance based on their country of origin.
The scholarship does not cover every cost. Tuition and semester fees must be paid by the scholarship holder. Depending on the institution, these may be approximately CHF 600–2,000 per semester, and some PhD fees may not be waived. Applicants must also budget for conferences, field research and certain travel costs. PhD holders may request up to six months of field research, but no additional funding is provided.
Scholarship holders must live in Switzerland, normally in the city or canton of the host institution. The grant covers one person only and includes no family allowance. Additional scholarships, teaching income or research-assistant funding must be reported to the FCS. The scholarship cannot supplement full-time employment.
Deadlines and application process
The 2027–2028 application period opens on 20 August 2026. There is no single worldwide deadline. Each country has its own deadline, scholarship availability, contact office and additional conditions. Deadlines are stated as 11:59 p.m. Swiss local time.
Applicants should follow this process:
- Check the official country list for available scholarship types and your exact deadline.
- Confirm your degree date, age, residence status and host-institution requirements.
- Identify a suitable Swiss university, institute, art school or conservatory.
- Secure supervisor support or admission evidence, depending on the scholarship type.
- Prepare your proposal, CV, passport copy, degree documents and other required materials.
- Register and apply through the official GO ESKAS online system.
- Submit before the deadline; email and paper applications are not accepted.2
The FCS assesses the candidate’s profile, the quality of the research project or artistic work, and the potential for future research cooperation. Decisions for the following academic year are announced by the end of May at the latest.
Important warning for applicants
The official application is free of charge. Swiss authorities warn about fake emails and social-media offers requesting money for visas, insurance or processing. Do not transfer money or share sensitive information with unofficial contacts.
Before applying, consult the official scholarship overview, the applicant FAQ, the country-specific deadline list and the GO ESKAS application portal.
Final advice
Start early, especially if you need a Swiss academic supervisor or admission to an art school or graduate programme. A strong application should show clear goals, excellent preparation, a realistic project and a convincing match with the proposed Swiss host. Most importantly, rely on the official country entry for your nationality because scholarship availability and deadlines can change.
