Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 | Fully Funded Research Scholarships in Switzerland

Ivony Tsitsi ChigumiraAugust 18, 2026

8 58 8 minutes read

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 offer international researchers and talented artists an opportunity to pursue advanced academic and research activities in Switzerland.

Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange, research cooperation, and academic collaboration between Switzerland and more than 180 countries.

The programme is administered through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), also known by its German acronym ESKAS.

Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year are scheduled to open on 20 August 2026. Country-specific information, including application deadlines and available scholarship types, will be published in August 2026.

Scholarship Summary

Details	Information
Scholarship	Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Academic Year	2027–2028
Country	Switzerland 🇨🇭
Host Institutions	Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH institutions and research institutes
Eligible Applicants	International researchers and selected artists
Countries Covered	Applicants from 183 countries
Maximum Age	35 years for the relevant scholarship categories
Monthly Funding	CHF 2,450
Research Level	Postgraduate/Research
Application Opens	20 August 2026
Application Deadline	Varies by country of origin
Selection Body	Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS)

About the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

The Swiss Confederation established the Government Excellence Scholarships to encourage international academic exchange and strengthen research cooperation between Switzerland and countries around the world.

The programme is primarily aimed at talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a Master’s degree.

Depending on the applicant’s country of origin and academic background, candidates may apply for different scholarship categories.

The programme currently accepts applicants from 183 countries.

Scholarship Types

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships include different opportunities depending on the applicant’s academic and professional profile.

1. Research Scholarships

Research scholarships are designed for postgraduate researchers from abroad who want to undertake research in Switzerland.

Applicants can conduct research in any academic discipline, subject to the requirements of the relevant scholarship and host institution.

Research can be carried out at participating Swiss institutions, including:

Swiss cantonal universities
Universities of applied sciences
ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
EPFL
Research institutes within the ETH Domain

The four research institutes within the ETH Domain include:

Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)
Empa
Eawag

Important Requirement for Research Applicants

A research scholarship application must be supported by an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to supervise and guide the proposed research project.

Applicants should therefore begin identifying and communicating with potential academic supervisors well before submitting their applications.

2. Art Scholarships

Art scholarships are intended for students who wish to pursue an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland.

However, unlike the research scholarship, the Art Scholarship is available only to applicants from a limited number of eligible countries.

Applicants should therefore carefully check the scholarship availability for their country of origin when the 2027–2028 country-specific information is published.

Scholarship Funding

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship programme provides financial support to successful recipients.

The information provided by the Swiss Federal authorities indicates funding of approximately:

CHF 2,450 per month

The programme’s specific funding conditions and applicable benefits can vary according to the scholarship category and the applicant’s circumstances.

Applicants should consult the official country-specific scholarship information before applying to understand exactly what is covered.

Who Can Apply?

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are primarily intended for talented international researchers and selected students in artistic fields.

For research scholarships, applicants are generally expected to have already completed a Master’s degree and to be at an early stage of their research career.

Applicants must also satisfy the academic and eligibility requirements applicable to their country of origin and chosen scholarship category.

Also Read: Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Elite International Scholarship 2027 | University of Sydney | Fully Funded

Age Requirement

The scholarship information specifies a maximum age of 35 years for the relevant scholarship categories.

Because eligibility conditions can differ depending on the scholarship type and country, applicants should check the official requirements applicable to their specific situation.

Research Scholarship Requirements

Applicants interested in a research scholarship should prepare to demonstrate:

Completion of a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
A strong academic and research profile.
A clearly defined research proposal.
A suitable research plan.
Support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
Eligibility under the requirements applicable to their country of origin.

The proposed research should demonstrate academic quality and potential for meaningful cooperation with Swiss researchers or institutions.

Art Scholarship Requirements

Applicants for Art Scholarships should generally be interested in pursuing an initial Master’s degree in an artistic discipline in Switzerland.

Because Art Scholarships are available only to applicants from selected countries, candidates should first verify whether their country is eligible.

Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).

According to the Swiss Government, applications are assessed using three major criteria:

1. Candidate Profile

The academic, professional and personal profile of the applicant is considered during the selection process.

2. Quality of the Research Project or Artistic Work

For researchers, the quality and strength of the proposed research project are important.

For artists, the quality of the proposed artistic work is considered.

3. Synergies and Future Research Cooperation

The potential for future research cooperation and meaningful academic collaboration is also taken into consideration.

Application Opening Date

Applications for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are scheduled to open on:

20 August 2026

Country-specific application information will be published in August 2026.

This information will provide details about:

Available scholarships by country.
Eligibility requirements.
Application deadlines.
Application procedures.
Relevant supporting documents.

Also Read: University of Edinburgh Data Analytics Scholarship 2026 in the UK (£5,000 Award) Great Opportunity

Application Deadline

There is no single worldwide application deadline for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

The deadline depends on the applicant’s country of origin and the specific scholarship available to applicants from that country.

Therefore, applicants should check the official Swiss Government scholarship information for their country once the 2027–2028 application information is published.

How to Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028

Interested applicants should begin preparing well before applications open.

Step 1: Check Your Country Eligibility

Confirm that your country of origin is eligible for the relevant scholarship.

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Scholarship

Determine whether you qualify for:

Research Scholarship
Art Scholarship

Step 3: Identify a Swiss Host Institution

Research applicants should identify a suitable Swiss university, research institute, or other eligible institution.

Step 4: Find an Academic Supervisor

Research applicants must obtain support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to supervise their proposed research.

Step 5: Prepare Your Research Proposal

Develop a clear and academically strong research proposal that explains:

The research topic.
Research objectives.
Methodology.
Expected outcomes.
Academic significance.
Potential cooperation with Swiss researchers.

Step 6: Prepare Supporting Documents

Applicants should carefully prepare all documents requested under their country-specific application requirements.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Applications are submitted through the application process specified by the Swiss Government and relevant Swiss diplomatic representation.

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline applicable to their country.

Important Warning About Fake Scholarship Offers

The Swiss Federal authorities have issued a warning about fraudulent scholarship offers using the name of the Swiss Government.

Scammers may contact applicants by email or advertise fake scholarships on social media.

They may attempt to convince applicants to transfer money for supposed expenses such as:

Visa costs
Social insurance
Processing fees
Other administrative charges

Do Not Send Money to Fraudsters

The Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships recommends that applicants do not respond to suspicious scholarship emails and do not send money.

The official information states that the application for a Swiss Government Scholarship is free of charge.

Applicants should rely only on official Swiss Government information when preparing their applications.

What Happens After You Apply?

After applications are submitted, they undergo a selection process.

The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) assesses applications based on the established selection criteria.

Successful applicants are selected for the relevant academic year.

According to the Swiss Government information, scholarship decisions for the following academic year will be announced by the end of May at the latest.

Why Apply for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide an opportunity to study, conduct research and collaborate with academic institutions in one of the world’s leading research environments.

Successful candidates can benefit from:

Research opportunities in Switzerland.
International academic exposure.
Collaboration with Swiss researchers.
Access to world-class academic institutions.
Financial scholarship support.
International research networking.
Professional and academic development.
Opportunities for future research cooperation.

Who Should Apply?

The opportunity may be particularly suitable for:

Early-career researchers.
International postgraduate researchers.
Master’s degree holders.
PhD researchers.
Academic professionals.
Researchers seeking international collaboration.
Students pursuing artistic Master’s degrees from eligible countries.
Applicants interested in conducting research in Switzerland.

Important Things to Do Before Applications Open

Since applications open on 20 August 2026, prospective applicants should start preparing early.

Research Applicants Should:

✅ Identify potential Swiss host institutions.

✅ Search for an appropriate academic supervisor.

✅ Develop a strong research proposal.

✅ Prepare their academic CV.

✅ Gather academic certificates and transcripts.

✅ Review country-specific requirements.

✅ Monitor the official Swiss Government scholarship page.

Art Applicants Should:

✅ Confirm whether their country is eligible.

✅ Identify suitable Master’s programmes.

✅ Prepare their artistic portfolio.

✅ Review the requirements for the relevant Art Scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 open?

Applications are scheduled to open on 20 August 2026.

How much is the scholarship worth?

The scholarship information states funding of approximately CHF 2,450 per month for the relevant scholarship categories.

Who is eligible?

The programme is primarily intended for talented international early-career researchers who have completed a Master’s degree, as well as eligible applicants for Art Scholarships.

How many countries are eligible?

The programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries.

What is the maximum age?

The scholarship information lists a maximum age of 35 years for the relevant scholarship categories.

Do research applicants need a Swiss supervisor?

Yes. Research scholarship applicants must have an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to supervise their proposed research.

Can I study any discipline?

Research scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline, subject to the applicable eligibility and host-institution requirements.

Are Art Scholarships available to everyone?

No. Art Scholarships are available to students from a limited number of countries.

Is there one application deadline for everyone?

No. Application deadlines vary according to the applicant’s country of origin and the scholarship available.

Do I have to pay to apply?

No. The Swiss Government warns applicants about fraudulent scholarship offers and states that the application for a Swiss Government Scholarship is free of charge.

When will scholarship decisions be announced?

The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students is expected to announce decisions by the end of May at the latest for the following academic year.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Country-specific information published	August 2026
Applications open	20 August 2026
Application deadlines	Vary by country
Selection decisions	By the end of May at the latest
Academic year	2027–2028

Final Thoughts

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 represent an exciting opportunity for talented international researchers and eligible artists to pursue advanced academic and research opportunities in Switzerland.

With applications opening on 20 August 2026, prospective applicants should begin preparing early, particularly research candidates who need to establish contact with a suitable Swiss academic supervisor.

Applicants should also remember that the application is free of charge and should be extremely cautious of anyone requesting money in exchange for a scholarship, visa processing, or supposed administrative costs.

If you are an international researcher with a strong academic profile and an ambitious research proposal, this could be an excellent opportunity to develop your career while building valuable international research partnerships.