Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/28 (Fully Funded)
Looking for a world-class academic or research opportunity in Europe? The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are now officially open for international students, researchers, and artists.
Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards these prestigious scholarships to outstanding candidates from over 180 countries to promote international academic exchange and research collaboration with Swiss higher education institutions. The program is administered directly by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS).
| Host Country | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Administered By | Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) |
| Program Types | Research Fellowships, PhD Scholarships & Art Scholarships |
| Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Deadline | Varies by Country (September – December 2026) |
Available Scholarship Types
- Research Fellowship: Designed for highly qualified early-career researchers currently pursuing a PhD in their home country who wish to conduct full-time research at an eligible Swiss university, ETH Zurich, EPFL, or recognized research institutes.
- PhD Scholarship: Supports master's degree holders who want to pursue a full doctoral degree in Switzerland (up to 36 months, subject to academic progress).
- Art Scholarship: Tailored for young artists seeking to complete their first Master’s degree at a recognized Swiss art school or conservatory.
Benefits of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
- Round-Trip Flights: Inbound and outbound airfare coverage.
- Monthly Living Stipend: A regular allowance to cover housing, meals, and living expenses in Switzerland.
- Housing Allowance: Additional support or assistance with residential placement.
- Public Transit: A one-year half-fare public transportation card for Swiss transit.
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive mandatory health insurance coverage for non-EU scholars.
- Tuition Support: Tuition fee waivers where applicable by the host university.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements vary by scholarship track and country of origin:
- Age Limit: Applicants must generally be born after 31 December 1991.
- Research & PhD Applicants: Must hold a completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) by 31 July 2027 (30 June 2027 for ETH Zurich), along with a strong research profile and detailed research proposal.
- Mandatory Swiss Academic Supervisor: Research and PhD applicants must independently secure an academic supervisor in Switzerland who agrees in writing to supervise the project. Applications without a supervisor letter cannot be considered.
- Art Scholarship Applicants: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree by 31 July 2027, must not already hold a Master’s degree, and must have an admission letter or application proof from a Swiss conservatory/art school.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Check your country-specific eligibility, application dates, and package requirements on the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships portal.
- Identify and contact a professor/supervisor at an eligible Swiss university or research institution to obtain a formal letter of acceptance.
- Prepare your detailed research proposal, timeline, CV, and verified academic transcripts.
- Obtain the official scholarship application package through your local Swiss Embassy or the official online portal.
- Submit all completed application documents and references before your country's designated deadline.
Ready to apply?
You'll be taken to the official application page. Always confirm the deadline and eligibility criteria there before you apply.
Apply on the official siteFrequently asked questions
Is ScholarshipHub free to use?
Yes. Browsing, searching, saving opportunities and receiving alerts are all free. We never charge students and we never ask for payment to apply.
Do you handle applications on my behalf?
No. We are a listings service. Every opportunity links to the official application page run by the university, government or organisation offering it, and you apply there directly.
How often are new opportunities added?
New opportunities are published every day. The Latest Opportunities section on the homepage is sorted by publication date, and you can subscribe to email alerts for the categories and countries you care about.
What does "fully funded" mean?
A fully funded opportunity covers tuition plus a living stipend, and often travel and insurance as well. Partially funded means some costs are covered — usually tuition or a fee waiver. The exact package is always listed on the opportunity page.
Why does an opportunity show as closed?
Listings close automatically once the published deadline passes. We keep the page online so you can see the eligibility criteria and watch for the next round, which usually opens around the same time each year.