Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 support eligible international researchers and artists undertaking full-time study or research in Switzerland. Applications opened on August 20, 2026 for many countries, but the closing date and available scholarship type depend on the applicant’s country of origin. There is no single worldwide deadline.
| Key fact | Official information |
|---|---|
| Academic year | 2027–2028 |
| Awarding body | Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) |
| Main categories | Research fellowship, PhD scholarship, and art scholarship |
| Monthly amount | CHF 2,450 for one person’s basic living expenses |
| Standard start date | September 1, 2027 |
| Application fee | Free |
| Deadline | Varies by country; the official A–Z list gives the applicable date in Swiss local time |
| Application method | Online through GO ESKAS; applications are not accepted by email or on paper |
The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation warns applicants about fraudulent offers. A legitimate Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship application does not require a payment. Do not send money or sensitive documents in response to unsolicited scholarship emails.
Scholarship categories
| Category | Who it is for | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Research fellowship | Early-career researchers pursuing a PhD in their home country who want to complete a defined research project in Switzerland | 6–12 months; no extension |
| PhD scholarship | Applicants with a completed master’s degree who intend to pursue a full-time doctorate at an eligible Swiss institution | 12 months, renewable twice up to 36 months subject to progress |
| Art scholarship | Eligible applicants seeking their first master’s degree at a Swiss art school or conservatory | 12 months, potentially extendable to 21 months depending on the program and ECTS requirements |
Research scholarships cover disciplines offered by eligible Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL, and recognized institutes within the ETH Domain. Art scholarships are available only to applicants from a limited number of countries. The official country list determines which categories are offered for each nationality.
Eligibility requirements
Research fellowship and PhD scholarship
- A master’s degree or equivalent must be completed by July 31, 2027; the stated deadline for ETH Zurich is June 30, 2027.
- The applicant must have been born after December 31, 1991.
- A detailed research proposal with a realistic timeline is required.
- A qualified academic supervisor in Switzerland must support the project and provide a letter of support plus a short CV.
- An applicant already in Switzerland must generally have entered no earlier than August 1, 2026 and provide proof of residence or registration.
- The applicant must meet any additional requirements listed for the country of origin and host institution.
For research fellowships, the official target group is researchers already pursuing a doctorate in their home country. A PhD scholarship application and admission to a Swiss doctoral program are separate processes. Applicants to a structured graduate school may need formal admission confirmation, while individual-doctorate requirements differ.
Art scholarship
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent must be completed by July 31, 2027.
- The applicant must have been born after December 31, 1991.
- The applicant must not already hold a master’s degree when the scholarship begins.
- An admission letter, proof of application, or confirmation that the art-school admission period has not yet opened is required.
- A portfolio or performance evidence must follow the official format.
- The applicant’s country must be one of those offered the art category.
Academic supervisor requirement
Every research fellowship and PhD application needs an academic supervisor at a Swiss institution who is willing to guide the proposed project. The applicant—not FCS—must identify and contact a suitable supervisor. Applications without the supervisor’s letter of support are rejected.
A strong first message to a potential supervisor should be concise and specific. It should explain the research question, why the professor’s work is relevant, the proposed methods, expected outputs, and how the project fits the host group. Attach a focused academic CV and a short project summary rather than sending a generic mass email. The official guidance notes that finding a supervisor can take weeks or months.
Funding and costs
All three main categories provide CHF 2,450 per month toward the basic living expenses of one scholarship holder. The award is a scholarship, not a salary. Calling the award “fully funded” without qualification can be misleading because important costs and benefits vary by nationality and institution.
| Item | What the official rules say |
|---|---|
| Monthly scholarship | CHF 2,450 for one person’s basic living expenses |
| Health insurance | Compulsory health-insurance premiums are covered for non-EU/EFTA holders; EU/EFTA recipients pay their own |
| Rental deposit | One-time CHF 600 grant |
| Public transport | Half-Fare Travelcard |
| Return flight | Allowance for non-EU/EFTA holders, with the amount determined by country of origin |
| Tuition and semester fees | Not covered by FCS; institutions may charge approximately CHF 600–2,000 per semester or other reduced fees |
| Conference costs | Paid by the scholarship holder |
| Field research | No additional funding; research-fellowship holders cannot conduct field research outside Switzerland |
| Family support | No family allowance; the stipend is designed for one person |
Applicants should build a realistic personal budget for fees, housing, travel conditions, and any dependent costs before accepting an award.
Country-specific deadlines
The 2027–28 call covers 183 countries, but not every country has every scholarship category. Opening dates and deadlines vary, and the official PDF lists deadlines at 11:59 p.m. Swiss local time. Some countries have no scholarship offer for this cycle.
Use the official 2027–28 country, category, and deadline list. Check the exact row for your country rather than relying on a date quoted by a third-party website.
Required application documents
Exact requirements vary by category and country, but research and PhD applicants should normally prepare:
- A complete academic CV covering education, awards, positions, publications, teaching, and relevant experience.
- A motivation letter of no more than two pages.
- A research proposal on the FCS/ESKAS form, no more than five pages including a non-specialist summary.
- A support letter and short CV from the Swiss academic supervisor.
- Contact details for two different professors who will be invited by the system to upload official recommendation forms.
- Degree certificates and transcripts, with certified translations when documents are not in English, French, Italian, or German.
- A passport copy and, for dual nationals, copies of both passports.
- Residence documentation if the applicant is already in Switzerland.
Art applicants provide a CV, motivation letter, academic records, two referee contacts, passport documents, host-school admission evidence, and a portfolio or performance submission following the stated instructions.
Selection process
Applications are routed through Swiss diplomatic representations and assessed by FCS/ESKAS. Research applications are judged on the candidate’s academic profile and motivation, the originality and methodological quality of the project, and the quality of supervision and future research cooperation. Art applications emphasize the artistic profile, portfolio maturity and potential, and availability at the chosen institution.
FCS states that award decisions for the following academic year are announced by the end of May at the latest. Submission does not guarantee admission to a university or doctoral program.
How to apply
- Open the official country list and confirm that your country and intended category are eligible.
- Read the category rules and the special conditions for your country.
- For research or PhD funding, secure a suitable Swiss supervisor and the required support documents.
- Prepare the proposal, motivation letter, CV, academic documents, and referee information.
- Register in the GO ESKAS portal.
- Complete the online application and submit it before your country’s deadline in Swiss local time.
- Save the submission confirmation and monitor the email address used in the portal.
Start with the official scholarship details and preparation guide, then apply through the official GO ESKAS portal. Do not email or mail a paper application.
For other official opportunities in Switzerland, readers may compare the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship 2027 and the EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027. Their eligibility and funding rules are separate.
Common reasons an application is excluded
- Missing documents or formal errors.
- No eligible Swiss supervisor or no supervisor support letter.
- More than one simultaneous application for different universities or scholarship types.
- More than one research proposal in the same application.
- Prior receipt of a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
- A fourth attempt after three unsuccessful applications.
- Residence in Switzerland beyond the permitted period.
- Missing graduate-school admission evidence when that evidence is specifically required.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one deadline for every country?
No. Each country has its own opening date, deadline, available categories, and contact details in the official A–Z list.
How much is the monthly scholarship?
The official 2027–28 amount is CHF 2,450 per month for the basic living expenses of one person.
Does the scholarship cover tuition fees?
No. FCS does not cover tuition or semester fees. The amount charged or waived depends on the host institution.
Is an academic supervisor required?
Yes for research fellowships and PhD scholarships. The applicant must find an eligible supervisor in Switzerland and include the required support letter.
Can an applicant submit more than one scholarship application?
No. Simultaneous applications for multiple host universities or scholarship types are listed as an exclusion ground.
Can applicants apply by email?
No. Applications must be submitted online through GO ESKAS; the official guidance says not to submit by email or on paper.
When does the scholarship begin?
The standard start date published for research fellowships, PhD scholarships, and art scholarships is September 1, 2027.
Final application check
Before submitting, confirm the country-specific category and deadline, supervisor support, degree and age rules, document translations, referee email addresses, and separate university-admission requirements. Use only the official Swiss government pages and GO ESKAS portal, and never pay an application fee.