The Swiss Confederation has announced the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028, providing talented international researchers and artists with the opportunity to pursue advanced study, research, and artistic development at leading higher education and research institutions across Switzerland.

Administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) under the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), the prestigious scholarship program aims to strengthen international academic exchange and foster long-term research collaboration between Switzerland and more than 180 partner countries.

Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year will officially open on 20 August 2026, with country-specific application information becoming available earlier in August 2026.

Supporting International Research and Academic Collaboration

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are designed primarily for talented early career researchers (ECRs) who have already completed a Master’s degree and wish to undertake research or doctoral studies in Switzerland.

The scholarship programme currently welcomes applicants from 183 countries, reinforcing Switzerland’s commitment to international cooperation in education, research, and innovation.

By providing access to world-class universities and research institutions, the initiative promotes scientific excellence while strengthening academic partnerships between Switzerland and the global research community.

Types of Scholarships Available

The scholarship programme offers opportunities across both research and the arts.

Research Scholarships

Research scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers from any academic discipline who wish to undertake research at eligible Swiss institutions.

Host institutions include:

Swiss cantonal universities
Universities of Applied Sciences
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich)
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)
Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag)

Research scholarship categories include:

Research Fellowships
PhD Scholarships

Applicants must secure the support of an academic supervisor in Switzerland who agrees to oversee and guide the proposed research project before submitting an application.

Art Scholarships

The programme also offers Art Scholarships for students seeking to pursue an initial Master’s degree in an artistic discipline at a Swiss institution.

However, these scholarships are only available to applicants from selected eligible countries.

Prospective applicants are advised to verify their country’s eligibility once the official application information is released.

Application Timeline for 2027–2028

The Swiss Government has outlined the following timeline for prospective applicants:

Country-specific scholarship information published: August 2026
Applications officially open: 20 August 2026
Scholarship application process: Free of charge
Scholarship decisions announced: By the end of May 2027
Scholarship commencement: Academic year 2027–2028

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing documentation early, particularly by identifying suitable supervisors for research-based applications.

Selection Criteria

The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) evaluates all applications using three primary criteria.

These include:

Academic profile and qualifications of the candidate
Quality and originality of the proposed research project or artistic work
Potential to strengthen future research cooperation between Switzerland and the applicant’s home country

The scholarship programme is highly competitive, with applications reviewed through Swiss diplomatic representations before final evaluation by the Commission.

Warning Against Scholarship Scams

Alongside the scholarship announcement, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation has issued an important warning regarding fraudulent scholarship offers circulating online.

Authorities have reported phishing attempts in which scammers falsely claim to represent the Swiss Government and request payments for services such as:

Visa processing
Social insurance fees
Administrative charges
Scholarship registration

Officials emphasize that applications for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are completely free of charge.

Applicants are advised:

Never respond to suspicious scholarship emails
Never transfer money to individuals claiming to process scholarship applications
Only use official Swiss Government communication channels when applying

The warning is intended to protect international applicants from financial fraud and identity theft.

Benefits of the Scholarship Programme

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships continue to serve as one of Switzerland’s flagship international academic exchange initiatives.

Successful scholars gain opportunities to:

Conduct advanced research in Switzerland
Collaborate with internationally recognised academics
Access world-class research infrastructure
Build long-term international research partnerships
Develop expertise within globally competitive academic environments

The programme also contributes to strengthening Switzerland’s international education and innovation ecosystem by fostering cross-border scientific collaboration.

Preparing a Competitive Application

Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin preparing well before applications open.

Recommended preparation includes:

Reviewing country-specific eligibility requirements
Identifying a suitable Swiss academic supervisor
Developing a high-quality research proposal or artistic portfolio
Gathering academic documentation
Reviewing frequently asked questions provided by SERI

Applicants should also ensure they submit their applications through the appropriate Swiss diplomatic representation in their home country.

Looking Ahead

The Swiss Government has confirmed that scholarship opportunities for the 2028–2029 academic year will be published online beginning in August 2027, continuing the country’s long-standing commitment to supporting international education and research collaboration.

With applications opening on 20 August 2026, the 2027–2028 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships offer outstanding researchers and artists worldwide an opportunity to advance their academic careers while contributing to global knowledge exchange and innovation.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs 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.