The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships offer a prestigious opportunity for international students and researchers to pursue advanced studies or research in Switzerland. These scholarships, awarded annually by the Swiss Confederation, aim to promote international exchange and foster research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 countries. They are administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) and are designed to support talented young researchers, postgraduate students, and artists from around the world.
Scholarship Overview
- Host Country: Switzerland
- Category: PhD, Postdoc, Research Fellowship
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Benefits: a monthly stipend to cover living costs
- English Language: Proficiency in English may be required depending on the program and institution.
- Deadline: Varies by country; applicants should check the specific deadline for their country of origin for different program below.
- Scholarship Alerts: Join our Telegram Channel for updates on scholarships.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are open to international students and researchers at different levels of study. These scholarships are intended for those who have already completed a master’s degree or PhD.
- Objective: To support postgraduate researchers in conducting research or furthering their studies at a doctoral or postdoctoral level in Switzerland.
- Target Group: Highly qualified researchers with a master’s degree in any discipline.
- Eligibility:
- Must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) before 31 July 2025.
- Born after 31 December 1989.
- A well-structured research proposal with a clear timeframe.
- Letter of support from an academic host professor in Switzerland.
- Duration: 12 months (non-extendable).
- Amount: CHF 1,920 per month.
- Selection Criteria: Academic profile, originality, and quality of the research proposal, and potential for future academic collaboration.
- Contact & Deadline: See the contact address for your country of origin (PDF) – this is the country according your passport. Check the available scholarship types for your country of origin. Check the opening of the call and the submission deadline.
To Apply
- Download the application package (application forms and templates).
- Fill out and print.
To Submit
- Note: Two paper copies of your application must be submitted.
- Click here (PDF) for the e-mail contact with the postal address of your country of origin.
For full details, please refer to the Guidelines for Scholarship Applicants 2025-26.
- Objective: To enable selected applicants to undertake a full PhD at Swiss public universities, federal institutes of technology, or the Graduate Institute.
- Target Group: Postgraduate students aiming to pursue a PhD.
- Eligibility:
- Must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) before 31 July 2025.
- Born after 31 December 1989.
- A detailed research proposal with a timeline.
- Letter of endorsement from an academic host professor in Switzerland.
- Duration: 12 months, extendable up to 36 months based on academic performance.
- Amount: CHF 1,920 per month.
- Selection Criteria: Academic credentials, research proposal quality, and the potential for academic collaboration.
Contact for further questions
- See the contact address for your country of origin (PDF) – this is the country according your passport.
- Check the available scholarship types for your country of origin.
- Check the opening of the call and the submission deadline. Applications submitted too late will not be considered.
To Apply
- Download the application package (application forms and templates).
- Fill out and print.
To Submit
- Note: Two paper copies of your application must be submitted.
- Click here (PDF) for the e-mail contact with the postal address of your country of origin.
For full details, please refer to the Guidelines for Scholarship Applicants 2025-26.
- Objective: To support postdoctoral researchers in conducting advanced research in Switzerland.
- Target Group: Early career scientists who have recently completed their PhD.
- Eligibility:
- PhD degree must be obtained between 31 December 2021 and 31 July 2025.
- A comprehensive research proposal with a timeframe.
- Mandatory letter from a Swiss academic host professor.
- Duration: 12 months (non-extendable).
- Amount: CHF 3,500 per month.
- Selection Criteria: Research experience, originality, and the research project’s potential for future academic collaborations.
Contact for further questions
- See the contact address for your country of origin (PDF) – this is the country according your passport.
- Check the available scholarship types for your country of origin.
- Check the opening of the call and the submission deadline.
To Apply
- Download the application package (application forms and templates).
- Fill out and print.
To Submit
- Note: Two paper copies of your application must be submitted.
- Click here (PDF) for the e-mail contact that will give you the postal address of your country of origin.
For full details, please refer to the Guidelines for Scholarship Applicants 2025-26.
Selection Process
Applications for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships undergo a thorough selection process:
Preliminary Selection:
- Applications are first reviewed by the relevant national authorities or the Swiss diplomatic representation in the applicant’s home country. This initial screening identifies the most promising candidates.
Final Assessment:
- Shortlisted applications are then evaluated by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). The FCS is composed of professors from Swiss public universities and bases its decisions on academic and scientific excellence.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Candidate Profile: The applicant’s academic achievements, research capacity, and motivation.
- Quality of Research Project or Artistic Work: The originality, methodological soundness, and potential impact of the proposed research or artistic work.
- Synergies and Potential for Future Research Cooperation: The likelihood of future collaborations between the applicant and Swiss institutions.
Awards Announcement
The FCS will announce the final decisions regarding scholarship awards by the end of May at the latest. Successful applicants will be notified and provided with further instructions on the next steps.
