The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are now open for international researchers and artists seeking funded study, research, and academic opportunities in Switzerland. The programme is offered by the Swiss Confederation to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 countries.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, applications opened on 20 August 2026. The scholarships are administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), which evaluates applications and selects successful candidates.
The programme is primarily aimed at talented early-career researchers who have already completed a Master’s degree, although the available scholarship category and eligibility requirements depend on the applicant’s academic background and country of origin.
Background & Scholarship Description
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are designed to encourage international academic exchange and research collaboration between Switzerland and countries around the world.
The programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries, with opportunities primarily focused on postgraduate researchers and, for selected countries, students pursuing artistic Master’s degrees.
The main categories include:
- Research scholarships
- PhD scholarships
- Art scholarships
Research scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline who wish to conduct research at eligible Swiss institutions. Applicants must have the support of an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to supervise and guide the proposed research.
Art scholarships are intended for students pursuing an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field. However, this category is available only to applicants from a limited number of countries.
Scholarship Benefits
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship provides financial support to successful international scholars during their period of study or research in Switzerland.
For the research category, the published overview lists funding of up to CHF 2,450 per month, with a maximum age of 35 indicated for the relevant category. The research scholarship has a duration of up to 12 months.
The PhD scholarship category is listed with a duration of up to 36 months.
The programme therefore offers a potentially substantial source of financial support for international researchers wishing to undertake postgraduate research in Switzerland.
Applicants should consult the official country-specific information because scholarship availability, eligibility requirements and application procedures can differ according to nationality and scholarship category.
Research Scholarships
Research scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers from eligible countries who want to conduct research in Switzerland.
Eligible host institutions include:
- Swiss cantonal universities
- Universities of applied sciences
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
- EPFL
- Research institutes within the ETH Domain
- PSI
- WSL
- Empa
- Eawag
A key requirement is that the research proposal must be supported by an academic supervisor based in Switzerland. The supervisor must be willing to direct and guide the proposed research.
This makes contacting potential supervisors an important part of preparing a strong application.
PhD Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship programme also provides scholarships for doctoral researchers.
The published information states that PhD scholarships are available to applicants from the participating countries and have a maximum duration of 36 months. Applicants must have a Master’s degree and a supervisor as part of the requirements shown in the scholarship overview.
PhD applicants should therefore ensure that their proposed research is academically strong and that they have established the necessary connection with an eligible Swiss academic supervisor.
Art Scholarships
The Art Scholarship supports students seeking an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland.
Unlike the broader research opportunities, the Art Scholarship is available only to students from a limited number of countries. The programme information lists a maximum duration of 21 months and indicates that applicants need a Bachelor’s degree together with admission or proof of application.
Applicants interested in this category should first verify that their country is included in the participating-country list for the relevant academic year.
Eligibility Requirements
The scholarship programme is primarily intended for talented international researchers and artists, but the precise eligibility conditions depend on the scholarship category.
For the main research opportunities, applicants should generally have:
- A relevant Master’s degree.
- A strong academic profile.
- A suitable research proposal.
- An eligible nationality.
- Support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland where required.
- The qualifications required for the selected scholarship category.
The official scholarship overview identifies a Master’s degree and a supervisor among the requirements for the research and PhD categories.
For Art Scholarships, applicants need a Bachelor’s degree and admission or proof of application for the relevant programme.
Because the scholarship is country-specific, applicants should check the official information for their country before preparing their application.
Selection Process
Applications are submitted through the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation, after which the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students assesses applications.
The FCS evaluates applications according to three main criteria:
- Candidate profile
- Quality of the research project or artistic work
- Synergies and potential for future research cooperation
This means applicants should pay particular attention to the quality and feasibility of their research proposal, as well as demonstrating how their work could contribute to future academic cooperation with Switzerland.
How to Apply
The 2027–2028 application cycle opened on 20 August 2026. The Swiss authorities state that information concerning application deadlines and scholarships available according to country of origin is published as part of the application information.
Applicants should follow these steps:
1. Check your country eligibility
First, confirm that your country is eligible for the relevant Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship category.
2. Select the appropriate scholarship
Determine whether you are applying for a Research, PhD, or Art Scholarship.
3. Identify a suitable Swiss institution
Research applicants should identify an appropriate Swiss university, university of applied sciences, federal institute of technology, or eligible ETH Domain research institute.
4. Contact an academic supervisor
Research applicants must obtain the support of an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to guide the proposed research.
5. Prepare your application
Prepare the required academic, research, and supporting documents according to the official requirements for your country and scholarship category.
6. Submit the application
Applications are submitted through the appropriate Swiss diplomatic representation.
Applicants should rely on the official country-specific instructions because deadlines and procedures can vary.
Important Warning About Scholarship Scams
The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation has issued a specific warning about fake scholarship offers using the name of the Swiss Government.
Scammers may contact potential applicants by email or through social media and request money for supposed visa, insurance, or other costs.
The Swiss authorities emphasize that applications for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are free of charge and advise applicants not to send money in response to suspicious scholarship offers.
Applicants should therefore use official Swiss government channels when obtaining scholarship information or submitting applications.
Application Deadline
There is no single universal deadline stated on the main scholarship page for every country. The Swiss authorities indicate that application deadlines and scholarship availability by country of origin are published as part of the application information.
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year opened on 20 August 2026.
Applicants should check the country-specific deadline applicable to them rather than relying on a generic deadline found on third-party websites.
Conclusion
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 provide international researchers and selected artists with an opportunity to pursue advanced academic work in Switzerland with substantial financial support.
The programme covers several categories, including Research, PhD, and Art Scholarships. Research applicants can pursue projects at eligible Swiss universities and research institutions, but must have the backing of an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
The selection process is highly competitive and considers the candidate’s profile, the quality of the proposed research or artistic work, and the potential for future cooperation.
Applications opened on 20 August 2026, and prospective applicants should now check their country-specific requirements, identify the appropriate scholarship category, and begin preparing their applications.
Official Scholarship Page: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028
Scholarship Overview & Application Information: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships at a Glance
Focus Keyword: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028
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