The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are now open for international students, researchers, and artists. This program lets you pursue advanced academic or research work in Switzerland. Every year, the Swiss Confederation awards these scholarships to talented applicants from more than 180 countries. In turn, the program promotes international exchange and strengthens research collaboration with Swiss institutions.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) runs the program on behalf of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Specifically, it supports three main categories: research fellowships, PhD scholarships, and art scholarships. Through these tracks, you can apply to leading institutions such as ETH Zurich, EPFL, and other Swiss universities.
Applications open on 20 August 2026, and deadlines vary by country. Below, you will find everything you need to know about eligibility, funding, required documents, and how to apply. Meanwhile, if you want a similar option, take a look at the Chevening Scholarship 2027 in the UK.
Quick Facts
- Host Country: Switzerland
- Academic Year: 2027–2028
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Opening Date: 20 August 2026
- Start Date: 1 September 2027
- Deadline: Varies by country of origin
- Administered By: Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS)
- Monthly Stipend: CHF 2,450
About the Program
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships rank among the world’s most respected government-funded scholarship programs. They mainly target early-career researchers who already hold a Master’s degree. In addition, the program supports talented young artists who want to pursue their first Master’s degree at a Swiss art school or conservatory.
Starting with the 2027–2028 cycle, the whole application process moves online through the Grants Online (GO ESKAS) portal. As a result, the old embassy-based paper submission route no longer applies, and you must register and submit your materials directly through the official ESKAS system.
Because the scholarship offers a limited budget, competition for a spot stays strong every year. As a result, applicants should start preparing early. This step matters most for research and PhD applicants, since they must first secure a Swiss academic supervisor before they can even apply.
Scholarship Types
Research Fellowship This track funds a one-year, full-time research project that forms part of a PhD in your home country. It suits highly qualified early-career researchers, including young medical doctors. Specifically, it lets you spend up to 12 months researching at a Swiss higher education institution or a recognized research institute within the ETH Domain.
PhD Scholarship This track supports qualified researchers who hold a Master’s degree and want to pursue full doctoral studies at a Swiss university. It starts with a 12-month term. After that, you can renew it twice, so the maximum duration reaches 36 months, depending on your academic progress.
Art Scholarship This track targets highly talented young artists who do not yet hold a Master’s degree and want to pursue their first Master’s at a Swiss art school or conservatory. Unlike the research and PhD tracks, it only accepts applicants from a limited number of eligible countries.
What’s Covered (Benefits)
- A monthly stipend of CHF 2,450 to cover basic living expenses for one person
- Health insurance premiums for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
- A one-time grant of CHF 600 toward a rental deposit
- A Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
- A return flight allowance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
- Excursions and activities that the coordinating body organizes for federal scholarship holders
Not covered: tuition or semester fees at most institutions. You typically pay CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester yourself. In addition, you cover your own conference costs, and EU/EFTA applicants also pay their own travel. On top of that, this scholarship is not a salary. So it excludes family allowances and covers living costs for one person only. If tuition support matters more to you, compare this against programs like the University of Milan DSU Scholarship 2026/27 in Italy, which covers tuition directly.
Eligibility Criteria
For Research Fellowship and PhD applicants, you generally need:
- A completed Master’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027 (30 June 2027 for ETH Zurich)
- A date of birth after 31 December 1991
- A detailed research proposal with a clear timeline of milestones and activities
- A letter of support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss higher education institution
- No prior Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship on your record, and no more than three previous unsuccessful applications
- Compliance with the country-specific requirements in the official A–Z list of countries and deadlines
For Art Scholarship applicants, you generally need:
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027
- No Master’s degree already in hand
- An admission letter, or proof of application, to an eligible Swiss university of the arts or music
- Citizenship from one of the limited number of eligible countries
Important: you must secure a Swiss academic supervisor if you apply for a research or PhD track. Finding this supervisor is your responsibility, and the committee will not consider your application without one. So, start this search early: professors receive many enquiries, and a reply can take weeks or even months.
Required Documents
- A complete CV, covering your educational background, degrees, awards, publications, and relevant experience
- A letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages)
- A detailed research proposal on the official FCS/ESKAS form (maximum 5 pages, for research and PhD applicants only)
- A letter of support and short CV from your Swiss academic supervisor
- Email addresses of two professors in your field; the system will contact them for recommendation letters
- Certified copies of your certificates and transcripts (with translations if they are not in English, French, Italian, or German)
- A copy of your passport
- For Art Scholarship applicants: a PDF portfolio with recordings, artwork samples, or performance links, depending on your artistic discipline
How to Apply
- First, check the eligibility requirements and deadline for your country of origin in the official country and deadline lists.
- Next, register on the Grants Online (GO ESKAS) portal once it opens on 20 August 2026.
- If you are applying for a research fellowship or PhD scholarship, secure a letter of support from your Swiss academic supervisor before you submit.
- Finally, complete your application and submit all required documents directly through GO ESKAS.
You must submit your application online only. The FCS does not accept applications by email or in paper form. Also, it warns applicants to watch out for fraudulent scholarship offers that ask for payment toward visa or insurance costs.
