Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026–2027 – Fully Funded Research Fellowships

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) under the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), offer fully funded fellowships for international early-career researchers and artists from over 180 countries.

 Scholarship Details

Eligible Categories:

• Research Scholarships: For doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with a master’s degree wishing to conduct research at Swiss universities, federal institutes (ETH Zurich/EPFL), applied sciences institutions, or public research centers (SERI).
• Art Scholarships: For young artists holding a bachelor’s degree pursuing a master’s at Swiss art conservatories/universities (limited by eligible countries) (SERI).

 Coverage & Benefits

• Monthly stipend: CHF 1,920 for doctoral candidates (or postdoctoral researchers eligible for CHF 3,500/month in some cases).
• Tuition fee exemption
• Health insurance for non-EU/EFTA awardees
• Travel allowance (return airfare for non-EU/EFTA recipients)
• One-time housing grant of CHF 300
• Public transport half-fare card for one year
• Cultural events, orientation, and networking activities organized by FCS

 Eligibility Criteria

• Be an international candidate (non-Swiss) holding a master’s degree (min.) for research scholarships, or a bachelor’s degree for art scholarships
• Must be nominated by a host professor at a Swiss university or research institution
• Age limit: Born after December 31, 1989
• Not been in Switzerland for more than a year prior to start of fellowship
• Proficiency in English (or other relevant research language)
• No prior Swiss Excellence scholarship recipient
• Research proposal with defined timeframe mandatory

Application Steps

1. Contact the Swiss embassy or representation in your country to retrieve application documents and country-specific deadlines — typically between August and October .
2. Secure a letter of support from a Swiss academic host, including their CV.
3. Prepare your documents:
   • Signed FCS application form (typed)
   • CV, motivation letter (max 2 pages)
   • Research proposal (max 5 pages)
   • Letters of recommendation (FCS form)
   • Certified transcripts and passport copy
   • Health certificate (FCS form)
4. Submit two hard-copy sets (one original + one copy) via postal mail as per embassy guidelines — sealed as instructed.

Timeline Overview

• Call Opens: Typically between August – October annually
• Application Deadline: Varies by country, often October (e.g. 15 October for Hungary)
• Selection Announced: By May of the academic year (e.g. end of May 2025 for 2025–2026 awards)
• Start of Scholarship: September of the following year

Why It Matters

This competitive and globally recognized fellowship:

• Bridges international research collaborations with Switzerland’s top institutions
• Supports early-career researchers and creatives across disciplines
• Enhances global networks and academic visibility
• Adds significant prestige to CVs and research profiles

 Official Link