The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are intended for young international researchers with a master’s or doctoral degree, as well as foreign artists with a bachelor’s degree.
| Host Country | Switzerland |
| Host Institute | Swiss cantonal universities |
| Level | Arts, Postgraduate, PhD, and Postdocs |
| Eligible Nationality | International |
| Benefits | Stipend, Living expenses |
| Application Timeline | Aug-Dec 2024 |
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are given out annually by the Swiss Confederation to encourage worldwide travel and research collaboration between Switzerland and more than 180 other nations. The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), the organization that grants the scholarships, chooses the recipients.
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Table of Contents
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for International Students
Various types of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are available to international students and researchers in various fields. A brief introduction to such scholarships is given here:
Research scholarships
The research scholarship (research fellowship, PhD, Postdoc) is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline who plan to move to Switzerland to conduct research or further their education at the doctoral or post-doctoral level. All Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, the two federal institutes of technology, and the four research institutes offer research scholarships for study or research.
Young international researchers who have achieved a master’s or doctoral degree, as well as foreign artists who possess a bachelor’s degree, are the target audience for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
Eligibility
- Master’s degree or its equivalent earned prior to July 31, 2025 (ETH Zurich: June 30, 2025). finished degree certificate.
- Candidates must have been born after December 31, 1989.
- A research proposal including a timeframe (PhD candidates).
Documents/Material Required to Apply for Research Scholarships
- Completed, typed, and printed the application for FCS with a photograph.
- A comprehensive CV that includes a list of academic accomplishments and honors.
- A two-page maximum motivational letter.
- A comprehensive study proposal utilizing just the FCS research proposal form (maximum 5 pages, signed) for Research Scholarships.
- A copy of the letter explaining why the selected Swiss university’s academic host professor is willing to support and supervise the research, together with the professor’s brief CV.
- Additionally, for research fellowships: A brief CV of the academic advisor from the home institution.
- Additionally, proof of accepted admission is necessary for PhD scholarships at doctoral institutions alone. In any case, a letter of recommendation from a host professor is necessary.
- Two private letters of recommendation from two distinct professors in the applicant’s field (only the FCS reference form should be used; the first set should only include originals in sealed envelopes). None for the second set.
- Copies of diplomas with grades and certificates from previously attended colleges and universities, commencing with the most recent. if not in English, with authorized attested translations in French, Italian, or German. Submit the copies of the certificates instead.
- A medical certificate that has been signed (only use the FCS health certificate form).
- Two duplicates of the applicant’s passport (the page containing their personal information). Dual citizens should include copies of both passports. Include a copy of the Swiss residency permit if appropriate.
PhD Scholarships
- To allow chosen candidates to pursue a PhD at one of the 10 cantonal universities in Switzerland, the two federal institutes of technology in Switzerland, or the Graduate Institute.
- This is only applicable to full-time research in Switzerland.
- Students with advanced degrees who are postgraduates and qualify to begin a PhD.
- Primarily for academics who haven’t visited Switzerland before.
Postdoctoral Scholarships
Enabling chosen candidates to pursue a PhD at one of the 10 cantonal universities in Switzerland, the two federal institutes of technology in Switzerland, or the Graduate Institute.Valid exclusively for Swiss residents conducting full-time research. Valid exclusively for Swiss residents conducting full-time research. Early career postdoctoral scientists with high qualifications mostly for researchers who have not previously been living in Switzerland.
Eligibility
- PhD degree earned after December 31, 2021, and before July 31, 2024, with the exception of ETH Zurich, which must do so by June 30, 2025. earned PhD degree certificate.
- A timetable for the proposed research project.
- A letter from the academic host professor, together with a brief CV, is required.
Art scholarships
Students who want to study art and earn their first master’s degree in the arts in Switzerland are eligible for art scholarships. Any Swiss conservatory or art university may offer art grants for students. Only students from a select group of nations are eligible for this scholarship.
Eligibility
- completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent before July 31, 2025. finished degree certificate.
- Candidates must have been born after December 31, 1990.
- All applications for a second master’s degree are rejected.
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Documents/Material Required to Apply for Arts and Music Scholarships Documents
- 1) Completed, typed, and printed application for FCS with a photograph.
- 2) A comprehensive CV containing a list of exhibits, performances, prizes, etc.
- 3) A motivational letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your motivations for attending school in Switzerland, the value of this decision to your future professional goals, as well as your professional projects after receiving the scholarship.
- 4) A research proposal is not required from candidates seeking arts fellowships.
- 4a) Musicians should:
- If the music includes interpreters and directors, provide a high-quality file of three different musical genres (USB memory stick, CD/DVD, link, or QR-Code labeled with name, surname, and country). Scores are provided by the composers.
- 4b) For painters, graphic designers, and sculptors: Copies or images of three pieces of their work, as well as preliminary sketches (include dates of creation; label work with name, surname, and country).
- 4c) For other artists (such as actors, dancers, and authors): examples of their work (USB memory stick, CD/DVD, or link with a QR-Code or name, surname, and country labeled).
- 5) evidence that “admission is under consideration” at the desired Conservatory of Fine Arts or Music in Switzerland.
- This could take the form of a conditional acceptance subject to passing an entrance exam or meeting other prerequisites.
- a copy of the professor’s note certifying that the studies were supervised, if relevant.
- 6) Two private letters of recommendation from two distinct professors in the applicant’s field (only the FCS reference form should be used; the first set should only include originals in sealed envelopes). None for the second set.
- 7) Copies of diplomas with grades and certificates from previously attended colleges and universities, commencing with the most recent. if not, then in English, French, Italian, or German with official authorized translations in English that have been attested. Submit the copies of the certificates instead. Only initial master’s degree applications are accepted.
- 8) A medical certificate that has been signed (only use the FCS health certificate form).
- 9) Two duplicates of the applicant’s passport (the page containing their personal information). Dual citizens should include copies of both passports. Include a copy of the Swiss residency permit if appropriate.
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Benefits of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
In addition to receiving financial assistance, recipients of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships receive the chance to join the country’s research community and gain access to its top-tier universities and research facilities. The scholarship money is only enough to pay for one person’s living expenses.
- The scholarship entails a CHF 1,920 monthly payout. The scholarship entails a CHF 3,500 monthly payment for postdocs.
- Housing allowance. All scholarship holders receive a one-time lump sum of CHF 300 with the first grant payment to help them pay part of the housing deposit.
- Tuition fees and Master fees for artists.
- Health insurance.
- Travel expenses
- Fieldwork
You can also explore:
UNIL Masters Grants at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland
ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowships with Salary in Switzerland
The University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships in Switzerland
Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships varies depending on the nation. Scholarships will be posted online starting in August 2024 for the school year 2025–2026.
Application Procedure
Select your country of origin based on the information on your passport. Learn about the different kinds of scholarships that are offered, the requirements for applying, and the deadlines in your nation. Applications for scholarships should be sent to the Swiss Embassy or the appropriate national institution in your country of origin.
Applications must be submitted in the applicant’s citizenship/country of origin. Each applicant for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship must send their application to the designated contact, which is typically the Swiss Embassy in the applicant’s home nation. Dual citizenship holders are permitted to submit their applications wherever they wish.
For a preliminary selection, the applications must be submitted to the relevant national institution and/or the Swiss diplomatic mission in the applicant’s place of origin. The preselected applications will subsequently be forwarded by the Swiss diplomatic mission to the FCS for final selection. Please submit your application to the Swiss diplomatic mission in your country of origin if your current country of residence is not your country of origin.
For more details and to apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, visit here.
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