Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Applications Set to Open Soon for International Researchers and Artists ·2028: Applications Set to Open Soon for International Researchers and Artists

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are set to open for applications on August 20, 2026, offering talented international researchers and artists an opportunity to pursue advanced studies and research in Switzerland. Administered by the Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS), the prestigious programme supports academic exchange and research collaboration between Switzerland and more than 180 countries.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their application materials now, as country-specific eligibility information and application deadlines will be published in August 2026. The scholarship application process is free of charge, and applicants are advised to remain vigilant against fraudulent scholarship offers.

Applications Opening Soon for the 2027–2028 Academic Year

The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) has announced that applications for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships will officially open on August 20, 2026.

The programme is designed to strengthen international research cooperation by supporting outstanding early-career researchers and selected artists who wish to undertake postgraduate studies, doctoral research, or artistic training at leading Swiss higher education institutions.

Individuals interested in applying should begin identifying potential academic supervisors, preparing research proposals, and gathering the necessary documentation ahead of the application opening.

About the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to encourage international academic exchange and collaborative research.

The scholarships are primarily intended for early-career researchers who have already completed a Master’s degree and wish to undertake research or doctoral studies in Switzerland. The programme is currently available to applicants from 183 countries, while the Art Scholarship is available to applicants from a selected list of 26 eligible countries.

Recipients are selected by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) based on academic excellence and research potential.

Scholarship Categories

The programme offers three scholarship pathways.

Research Fellowship

The Research Fellowship supports postgraduate researchers seeking to undertake research projects at eligible Swiss institutions.

Key features include:

• Open to applicants from 183 countries.
• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree.
• A Swiss academic supervisor is required before application.
• Maximum duration of 12 months.
• Monthly scholarship of approximately CHF 2,450.

PhD Scholarship

The PhD Scholarship enables international students to pursue full doctoral studies in Switzerland.

Applicants must:

• Hold a Master’s degree.
• Secure supervision from a Swiss academic supervisor.
• Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
• Be citizens of one of the eligible 183 countries.

The scholarship may be awarded for up to 36 months and provides a monthly stipend of approximately CHF 2,450.

Art Scholarship

The Art Scholarship supports students pursuing their first Master’s degree in an artistic discipline.

Applicants must:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree.
• Obtain admission to, or provide proof of application for, a recognised Swiss arts institution.
• Be from one of the 26 eligible countries.

The scholarship may support studies for up to 21 months.

Eligible Swiss Institutions

Successful applicants may undertake their studies or research at a wide range of Swiss higher education and research institutions.

These include:

• Swiss cantonal universities.
• Universities of Applied Sciences.
• ETH Zurich (ETHZ).
• École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
• Research institutes within the ETH Domain, including:
  • Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI).
  • Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).
  • Empa.
  • Eawag.

Research applicants must obtain the support of an academic supervisor in Switzerland before submitting their application.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students using a competitive assessment process.

Selection is based on:

• The academic profile and achievements of the applicant.
• The quality and originality of the proposed research project or artistic work.
• The potential to strengthen future research cooperation between Switzerland and the applicant’s home country.

Applications are first submitted through Swiss diplomatic representations before being reviewed by the Commission.

Scholarship Award Timeline

Applicants should note the following timeline:

• Country-specific application information published: August 2026.
• Applications officially open: August 20, 2026.
• Selection process: Following submission through Swiss diplomatic missions.
• Scholarship decisions announced: By the end of May 2027.
• Scholarships commence for the 2027–2028 academic year.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare well in advance to ensure they can submit complete applications once the application portal opens.

Important Warning About Scholarship Scams

The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation has issued an important warning regarding fraudulent scholarship offers circulating through emails and social media.

Applicants should note that:

• Applying for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is completely free.
• The Swiss Government never requests payment for visa processing, insurance, or scholarship administration.
• Individuals should ignore suspicious emails requesting financial transfers or personal payments related to scholarship applications.

Applicants are advised to rely only on official Swiss Government information when preparing their applications.

Prepare Your Application Early

Although applications have not yet opened, prospective candidates are encouraged to begin preparing now by identifying suitable academic supervisors, refining research proposals, gathering academic documents, and reviewing country-specific eligibility requirements once they become available in August 2026.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships remain one of the world’s most prestigious international scholarship programmes, providing outstanding researchers and artists with an opportunity to pursue advanced academic and creative work while building lasting international collaborations with Switzerland’s leading universities and research institutions.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.