Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Fully Funded Opportunities for International Researchers
The Swiss Confederation is offering Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for the 2027–2028 academic year, providing talented international researchers and selected art students with the opportunity to study and conduct research in Switzerland.
Each year, the Swiss Government awards Excellence Scholarships to promote international academic exchange and strengthen research cooperation between Switzerland and countries around the world. Applicants are selected by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), also known as ESKAS.
The programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries, although eligibility and available scholarship types vary depending on the applicant’s country of origin.
What Are Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are primarily designed for talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a Master’s degree.
Depending on the scholarship category and the applicant’s country, candidates can receive financial support to undertake research or doctoral studies at Swiss higher education and research institutions.
The programme includes three main categories:
- Research scholarships
- PhD scholarships
- Art scholarships
Research and PhD scholarships are available to applicants from 183 countries, while Art scholarships are limited to applicants from 26 countries.
Scholarship Types at a Glance
| Scholarship | Target Group | Main Requirements | Maximum Duration | Monthly Funding | Research | PhD students/researchers from 183 countries | Master’s degree + Swiss academic supervisor | Up to 12 months | CHF 2,450 | PhD | PhD students from 183 countries | Master’s degree + Swiss academic supervisor | Up to 36 months | CHF 2,450 | Art | Art students from 26 countries | Bachelor’s degree + admission or proof of application | Up to 21 months | CHF 2,450 |
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The programme generally applies a maximum age of 35 for applicants, although candidates should always check the specific eligibility requirements applicable to their country.
Research Scholarships
Research scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers in any academic discipline who want to conduct research at a Swiss institution.
Eligible host institutions include:
- Swiss cantonal universities;
- Universities of Applied Sciences;
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ);
- EPFL;
- Research institutes within the ETH Domain, including PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag.
An important requirement is that the proposed research must be supported by an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to supervise and guide the applicant’s research project.
Applicants should therefore begin contacting potential supervisors well before submitting their scholarship application.
PhD Scholarships
PhD scholarships are intended for international researchers who wish to pursue doctoral studies in Switzerland.
Candidates generally need to have completed a Master’s degree and must have the support of an academic supervisor at an eligible Swiss institution.
The maximum duration of funding can reach 36 months, making this one of the major opportunities for international students seeking to complete a PhD in Switzerland.
Art Scholarships
Art scholarships are designed for students who want to pursue their first Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland.
Unlike the research and PhD categories, Art scholarships are available only to applicants from a limited number of countries.
Applicants generally need a Bachelor’s degree and must have admission to an appropriate Swiss institution or provide proof that they have applied for admission.
The maximum scholarship duration is 21 months.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year are scheduled to open from 20 August 2026.
Applicants should carefully review the requirements applicable to their country of origin before preparing their application.
Information about:
- available scholarship types;
- country-specific eligibility;
- application deadlines;
- required documents;
- host institutions;
- application procedures
is published by the Swiss authorities.
Applications are submitted through Swiss diplomatic representations, according to the procedure applicable in the applicant’s country.
How Are Applications Selected?
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) evaluates applications according to three main criteria:
1. Candidate profile
The academic and professional background, qualifications and potential of the applicant are considered.
2. Quality of the research project or artistic work
For research applicants, the proposed project should demonstrate strong academic quality and clear objectives. For art applicants, the quality of the artistic work and the proposed study programme are important considerations.
3. Synergies and future cooperation
The selection process also considers the potential for future academic and research cooperation between the applicant and Swiss institutions.
Important Warning: Beware of Scholarship Scams
The Swiss authorities have issued a warning about fake Swiss Government scholarship offers circulated by email and social media.
Fraudsters may use the name and identity of the Swiss Government to convince applicants that they have been selected for a scholarship. Victims may then be asked to transfer money for supposed visa fees, social insurance costs or other administrative expenses.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students strongly advises applicants:
- Do not respond to suspicious scholarship emails.
- Do not transfer money to people claiming to represent the Swiss Government scholarship programme.
- Be careful with scholarship offers received through social media or unofficial email addresses.
- Verify information through official Swiss Government sources.
Most importantly, applying for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is free of charge.
When Will the Results Be Announced?
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students is expected to announce its decisions by the end of May at the latest for the following academic year.
Successful candidates will then receive information about their scholarship and the next steps required before beginning their studies or research in Switzerland.
Why Consider Switzerland?
Switzerland is home to internationally recognised universities, research institutions and innovation centres. For researchers, studying or conducting research in Switzerland can provide access to advanced facilities, international academic networks and opportunities for future cooperation.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships therefore represent an important opportunity for qualified international researchers and eligible art students who want to develop their academic or artistic careers in Switzerland.
Looking Ahead
The Swiss Government has also announced that scholarships for the 2028–2029 academic year are expected to be advertised online from August 2027.
Prospective applicants should therefore begin preparing early, particularly if they need to identify a Swiss academic supervisor or obtain admission to an eligible institution.
Key Facts
Programme: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Academic year: 2027–2028
Applications open: 20 August 2026
Eligible countries: Up to 183 countries, depending on scholarship category
Main beneficiaries: International researchers and selected art students
Research/PhD funding: CHF 2,450 per month
Research duration: Up to 12 months
PhD duration: Up to 36 months
Art duration: Up to 21 months
Application fee: Free
Selection body: Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS)
Applicants should consult the official Swiss Government scholarship information for the country-specific eligibility criteria, deadlines and application instructions before submitting an application.
https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships