Study in Europe: Swiss Government Scholarships for International Students 2026

Applications are now open for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026/2027, offering fully funded opportunities for international students to pursue Master’s, PhD, or Postdoctoral studies in Switzerland.

Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 countries. These prestigious scholarships are managed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) and are aimed at highly qualified students and researchers, including those in the arts.

Scholarship Overview

Host Country: Switzerland
Funded By: Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS)
Study Levels: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Deadline: Varies by Country Check Country-Specific Deadlines

What the Scholarship Covers

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship provides extensive financial support, including:

Round-trip airfare to Switzerland
Monthly stipend for living expenses
Housing allowance
Health insurance
One-year half-fare public transport card
Tuition fee coverage (varies by university)

Types of Scholarships Available

1. Research Scholarships

Research Fellowships: 1-year support for doctoral-level research at a Swiss institution.
PhD Scholarships: Full support for complete PhD studies.
Postdoctoral Scholarships: For early-career postdocs conducting full-time research in Switzerland.

2. Arts Scholarships

For talented international artists pursuing their first full-time Master’s degree at a Swiss university of the arts.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to students from 183 eligible countries.
Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, a strong research/artistic background, and potential for future collaboration.
Scholarships begin September 1, 2026.

Specific Requirements by Scholarship Type

Research Fellowships

For early-career researchers (including medical doctors).
Must hold a Master’s degree by July 31, 2026 (June 30 for ETH Zurich).
Born after December 31, 1990.
Must submit a detailed research proposal and timeline.
Letter of support from a Swiss professor required.

PhD Scholarships

Same requirements as Research Fellowships.
Priority given to candidates who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland.

Postdoctoral Scholarships

For postdocs who completed a PhD between Jan 1, 2023 – July 31, 2026.
Must submit a research proposal and obtain support from a Swiss academic supervisor.

Arts Scholarships

For young artists applying for their first Master’s degree in Switzerland.
Must hold a Bachelor’s degree by July 31, 2026.
Must be born after December 31, 1990.
Must not already hold a Master’s degree.
Proof of application or admission to a Swiss arts university is required.
Limited to selected countries.

How to Apply

To apply, you must:

Visit the official scholarship page.
Check your country’s eligibility and specific deadline.
Prepare your application package, including:
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Research or study plan
- Letters of recommendation
- Letter of acceptance/support from a Swiss academic supervisor
- Academic certificates