2026/2027 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Postgraduate Scholarship

Location: Switzerland

Program: Postgraduate – Masters, PhD, Research

Eligibility: International Students

Duration: 1-3 years

Deadline: Varies (September to December 2025)

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are prestigious grants awarded annually by the Swiss Confederation to foster international academic exchange and research collaboration. Administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), they support scholars and artists—postgraduate researchers with at least a master’s degree, PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and artists holding a bachelor’s degree from over 180 countries. The scholarships are offered for full-time research or study at Swiss universities, federal institutes, the Graduate Institute, universities of applied sciences, and public teaching and research institutes.

This scholarship is targeted highly qualified researchers from all academic fields, including young medical doctors and Priority will be given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland.

The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI within the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER is the federal government’s specialised agency for national and international matters concerning education, research and innovation policy.

Benefits of the Scholarship

Scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline wishing to pursue research at any Swiss cantonal university.
Health insurance
One-time grant of CHF 300 for rental deposit (accommodation)
The coordinating body organises excursions and activities for federal scholarship holders.
Return flight allowance
Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
CHF 1’920 – CHF 3,500 monthly to cover basic living expenses for one person.

Note:

This scholarship is not a salary.

Eligibility Criteria

For Masters Degree

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2026.
Date of birth after 31 December 1990.
Applicants must not yet hold a Master’s degree at the start of the scholarship.
Admission process (entrance exam or submitted application) to a Swiss art or music school (conservatory) must already be in progress.
If the applicant already resides in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2025 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit).

For PhD

Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2026 (for ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026).
Date of birth after 31 December 1990.
Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities.
Applicants must have a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (including a short CV).
If the applicant already resides in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2025 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit).

For Research

Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2026 (for ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026).
Date of birth after 31 December 1990.
Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities.
Applicants must have a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (including a short CV).
If the applicant already resides in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2025 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit).

Selection Criteria

Applications are submitted to Swiss diplomatic representations. The FCS assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria.