Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Fully Funded Research and Arts Opportunities in Switzerland
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 offer international researchers and eligible arts students an opportunity to pursue advanced academic work in Switzerland. Awarded by the Swiss Confederation, the scholarships aim to strengthen international research collaboration, academic exchange and cooperation between Switzerland and countries around the world.
The programme is administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), also known as ESKAS. It is designed primarily for talented early-career researchers who have completed a master’s degree and wish to undertake research at a recognised Swiss higher education or research institution.
Depending on the scholarship category and eligibility requirements, applicants may pursue research, doctoral studies or an initial master’s degree in an artistic discipline.
Applications for the 2027–2028 scholarship cycle opened on 20 August 2026. Applicants should consult the official country-specific information to confirm deadlines, available scholarship categories and application requirements.
About the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships support international academic exchange and research cooperation. The programme is open to eligible applicants from a wide range of countries, with scholarship opportunities and conditions varying according to nationality and category.
Research scholarships allow postgraduate researchers to develop projects under the guidance of academic supervisors in Switzerland. The programme encourages collaboration between researchers and Swiss institutions, helping build international research networks and long-term academic partnerships.
Arts scholarships, meanwhile, provide opportunities for eligible students to pursue an initial master’s degree in an artistic field at an appropriate Swiss institution.
Types of Swiss Government Scholarships
1. Research Scholarships
Research scholarships are intended for postgraduate researchers who wish to conduct research in Switzerland in any eligible academic discipline.
Applicants may undertake research at a Swiss cantonal university, university of applied sciences, either of the two federal institutes of technology, ETH Zurich (ETHZ) or EPFL, or one of four research institutes within the ETH Domain: PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag.
A key requirement is support from an academic supervisor based in Switzerland who is willing to guide the proposed research.
These scholarships may suit researchers seeking to develop specialised expertise, strengthen international collaborations or undertake a defined research project at a Swiss institution.
2. PhD Scholarships
The programme also includes doctoral scholarship opportunities for eligible international candidates.
Applicants generally need a master’s degree and support from an appropriate Swiss academic supervisor. The scholarship duration listed in the programme overview is up to 36 months, subject to the applicable conditions and award category.
Candidates should carefully review the requirements for their country and intended institution before preparing an application.
3. Arts Scholarships
Arts scholarships are intended for eligible students seeking to pursue an initial master’s degree in an artistic discipline in Switzerland.
Unlike the research scholarships, this category is restricted to applicants from a specified group of countries. The programme overview lists 26 eligible countries.
Applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree and admission to, or evidence of an application to, an eligible Swiss arts institution.
Prospective arts students should verify whether their nationality, chosen discipline and intended institution qualify for funding.
Scholarship Funding and Duration
The programme overview lists a monthly scholarship amount of CHF 2,450, with a maximum age of 35 indicated for the categories covered by that overview. Eligibility conditions may differ by scholarship type and country.
The listed maximum durations are:
- Research scholarships: Up to 12 months.
- PhD scholarships: Up to 36 months.
- Arts scholarships: Up to 21 months.
These durations and conditions should be confirmed against the official guidelines for the relevant scholarship category and country. Applicants should also check the current information for details of additional benefits, insurance arrangements and other applicable funding provisions.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility depends on the scholarship category and the applicant’s country of origin. General requirements include:
- A relevant master’s degree for research and doctoral scholarship categories.
- A bachelor’s degree for eligible arts scholarship applicants.
- An academic supervisor in Switzerland for research-based applications.
- Admission, or proof of application, where required for arts scholarships.
- Compliance with the applicable age, nationality, academic and programme-specific conditions.
Applicants should demonstrate a strong academic profile and a clear, well-developed research proposal or artistic project.
The selection process considers three main criteria: the candidate’s profile, the quality of the proposed research or artistic work, and the potential for synergies and future research cooperation.
How to Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Interested applicants should follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships website.
Step 2: Select your country of origin and check which scholarship categories are available.
Step 3: Review the country-specific application deadline, eligibility criteria and required documents.
Step 4: For research applications, identify a suitable academic supervisor at an eligible Swiss institution and obtain the required support.
Step 5: Prepare the research proposal or artistic project documentation, academic transcripts, degree certificates, CV and any other required materials.
Step 6: Follow the official instructions for submitting the application through the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation.
Applicants should use the official Swiss Government scholarship information and their country’s Swiss diplomatic representation to access the correct application instructions.
Application Deadlines and Selection
The application period for the 2027–2028 cycle began on 20 August 2026. Deadlines vary by country, so there is no single closing date that applies to every applicant.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students evaluates applications according to the programme’s selection criteria. Scholarship decisions for the following academic year are announced by the end of May at the latest, according to the programme information.
The next scholarship cycle, for the 2028–2029 academic year, is expected to be advertised from August 2027.
Important Scholarship Scam Warning
The Swiss Government has warned applicants about fraudulent scholarship offers circulated by email and social media.
Applications for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are free of charge. Applicants should never send money to individuals claiming to guarantee an award or requesting payments for visa processing, social insurance or scholarship application fees.
Use official government websites and Swiss diplomatic representations to verify scholarship information and protect yourself from scams.
Final Thoughts
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 provide valuable opportunities for eligible international researchers and arts students to pursue advanced academic work in Switzerland. With opportunities across research, doctoral study and artistic education, the programme can help successful candidates develop expertise and establish international academic partnerships.
Applicants should begin by checking their country-specific eligibility requirements, identifying the appropriate scholarship category and preparing the necessary documentation well before the applicable deadline.
Important: Scholarship availability, deadlines, funding conditions and eligibility requirements vary by country and category. Confirm all details through the official Swiss Government scholarship programme before applying.
