Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Fully Funded Scholarships in Switzerland

Applications are open for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028, offering international researchers and artists the opportunity to study or conduct research in Switzerland.

The programme is funded by the Swiss Confederation and is available to applicants from more than 180 countries. It focuses on supporting promising researchers, strengthening international academic partnerships, and encouraging exchanges between Switzerland and the global academic community.

The scholarships are administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).

Programme Details

Category	Details
Country	Switzerland
Academic year	2027–2028
Funding	Fully funded
Opening date	20 August 2026
Deadline	Country-specific
Applicants	International researchers and artists

Financial Benefits

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide financial assistance to successful applicants. Benefits can vary depending on the scholarship category and individual circumstances.

Possible benefits include:

Monthly scholarship payments
Housing allowance
Round-trip airfare
Health insurance
One-year half-fare public transport card
Other programme-related support

Applicants should note that tuition fees are not necessarily covered at every university. Some institutions may cover tuition, while others may charge applicable fees.

Who Can Apply?

The programme has different scholarship options for researchers and artists.

Research Fellowship

Research Fellowships are intended for highly qualified early-career researchers who want to carry out a research project in Switzerland.

Eligible research locations can include Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL, and recognised research institutions within the ETH Domain.

PhD Scholarship

The PhD Scholarship is for applicants who have completed a Master’s degree and want to undertake doctoral research at an eligible Swiss university or recognised research institution.

Funding can be provided for up to 36 months, subject to the programme’s conditions and satisfactory academic progress.

Art Scholarship

The Art Scholarship is designed for talented young artists seeking their first Master’s degree at a Swiss art school or conservatory.

Applicants must satisfy the academic, artistic, and admission requirements applicable to their chosen institution and country.

Eligibility

Requirements differ according to the applicant’s country and scholarship category.

For Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships, applicants generally must:

Have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027.
Meet the earlier 30 June 2027 degree deadline where applicable for ETH Zurich.
Have been born after 31 December 1991.
Demonstrate strong academic and research performance.
Submit a well-developed research proposal.
Provide a research timeline.
Have the support of a qualified academic supervisor in Switzerland.
Fulfil the additional requirements established for their country.

For Art Scholarships, applicants generally need to have completed a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027. Applicants should not already hold a Master’s degree and must provide an admission letter or proof of application to an eligible Swiss art or music institution.

Finding a Supervisor in Switzerland

If you are applying for a Research Fellowship or PhD Scholarship, securing an academic supervisor is an important part of the process.

You need to identify a suitable professor or academic researcher in Switzerland who is prepared to supervise your proposed research.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact potential supervisors and obtain the required confirmation or support before submitting the scholarship application.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted according to the official Swiss Government scholarship procedure.

Before applying, applicants should: