Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026-27
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026 – 2027
Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to encourage international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. Recipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).
What it’s all about
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are mainly intended for talented early career researchers (ECRs) from abroad who have already completed their Master’s degree or PhD. The scholarship programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries.
Research scholarships
These scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline wishing to pursue research at any Swiss cantonal university, university of applied sciences, either of Switzerland’s two federal institutes of technology (ETHZ or EPFL) or at one of the four research institutes within the ETH Domain (PSI, WSL, Empa, Eawag). Prerequisite: the scholarship application must be backed by an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to direct and guide the applicant’s proposed research.
Research scholarships
Overview of the different types of scholarships and requirements:
Research fellowships
Objective
- The scholarship enables selected applicants to carry out a one-year research project as part of their doctoral studies at a Swiss higher education institution or recognised research institute.
- Valid only for full-time research in Switzerland.
Target group
- Highly qualified early-career researchers from all academic fields, including young medical doctors.
- Priority will be given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland (see eligibility criteria for exceptions).
Eligibility criteria
- Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2026 (for ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026).
- Date of birth after 31 December 1990.
- Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities.
- Applicants must have a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (including a short CV).
- If the applicant already resides in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2025 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit).
Selection criteria
- Academic profile, research competence, and motivation
- Originality and methodological quality of the project
- Quality of supervision and potential for future collaboration
Duration
- Maximum of 12 months
- No extensions possible
- Start date: 1 September 2026
Scholarship amount
- CHF 1,920 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person
- This scholarship is not a salary
PhD scholarships
Objective
- This scholarship is intended to support selected applicants in pursuing a PhD at a Swiss university or recognised research institute.
- Valid only for full-time research in Switzerland.
Target group
- Highly qualified researchers who have completed a master’s degree in any academic field
- Priority will be given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland (see eligibility criteria for exceptions).
Eligibility criteria
- Master’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2026 (for ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026).
- Date of birth after 31 December 1990.
- Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities.
- Applicants must have a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (including a short CV).
- If the applicant already resides in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2025 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit).
Selection criteria
- Academic profile, research competence, and motivation
- Originality and methodological quality of the project
- Quality of supervision and potential for future collaboration
Duration
- 12 months, renewable twice for up to 36 months (subject to academic progress during the first 12 months).
- Start date: 1 September 2026.
Scholarship amount
- CHF 1,920 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person
- This scholarship is not a salary
Postdoctoral scholarships
Objective
- The fellowship enables researchers to carry out a postdoctoral research project at a Swiss university or a recognised research institute.
- Valid only for full-time research in Switzerland.
Target group
- Highly qualified early-career postdoctoral researchers.
- Priority will be given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland (see eligibility criteria for exceptions).
Eligibility criteria
- Completion of PhD thesis between 1 January 2023 and 31 Juli 2026 (ETH Zürich: 30 Juni 2026).
- Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities.
- Applicants must have a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland (including a short CV).
- If the applicant already resides in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2025 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit).
Selection criteria
- Academic profile, research competence, and motivation
- Originality and methodological quality of the project
- Quality of supervision and potential for future collaboration.
Duration
- Maximum period of 12 months.
- This scholarship cannot be extended.
- Start date: 1 September 2026.
Scholarship amount
- CHF 3,500 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person.
- This scholarship is not a salary.
Applying for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
The types of scholarships available and application deadlines depend on the country of origin.
Interested?
Applications are open starting August 4, 2025. Here you will find useful information on how to prepare your scholarship application.
After applying
Selection
Applications are submitted to Swiss diplomatic representations. The FCS assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria.
- Candidate profile
- Quality of the research project or artistic work
- Synergies and potential for future research cooperation
Awards
By the end of May at the latest, the FCS will announce its decisions regarding the scholarship awards for the following academic year.
Outlook
Scholarships for the 2027–2028 academic year will be advertised online from August 2026.
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