Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Offered by Swiss Confederation — Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS), via SBFI
About this scholarship
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are awarded by the Swiss Confederation through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students to promote international exchange and research cooperation with Switzerland's public universities, the two federal institutes of technology (ETH Zurich and EPFL), and recognised research institutes. The main tracks fund doctoral and postdoctoral research; from 2026, foreign doctoral students receive a living allowance of CHF 2,450 per month, alongside benefits that typically include a tuition fee waiver, health insurance, and support over the research period (up to 36 months for PhDs). A defining requirement is that applicants must secure a letter of support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss host institution before applying. Eligibility, the exact scholarship type, and the number of awards are governed by bilateral arrangements, so they differ by country of origin; for example, doctoral applicants generally need a master's degree completed by a set date and must meet an age threshold (born after 31 December 1991 for the 2027–28 cycle). Applications are submitted online only, through a country-specific link, with deadlines that vary by nationality.
Eligibility
- Hold a master's degree (or equivalent) by the cycle's stated date for doctoral applicants
- Secure a letter of support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss institution
- Meet the age requirement (e.g. born after 31 December 1991 for the 2027–28 cycle)
- Meet your country's specific eligibility rules and deadline
- Submit the application online via the country-specific link
Always verify amounts and deadlines on the official site; they change each cycle.
Last verified by us: 2026-06-01.