Scholarship
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Offered by Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS)
Open Applications are open; deadlines vary
Visit Official Scholarship Website
Last verified: September 26, 2026
Quick facts
- Study destination
- Switzerland
- Level
- PhD / Doctorate, Postdoctoral, Research
- Funding
- Funding details vary
- Amount
- CHF 2,450 per month
- Eligible students
- Applicants from 183 countries (scholarships available by country of origin)
- Deadline
- Applications are open; deadlines vary
- Application method
- Nomination by a government or national agency; Multiple-stage application
Overview
Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to encourage international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. They are mainly for talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a master’s degree.
Research scholarships support postgraduate research at Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL or the ETH Domain research institutes, with a Swiss academic supervisor.
Who Can Apply
Early-career researchers from eligible countries who have completed a master's degree, aged 35 or under, with a supervisor in Switzerland supporting the research project.
Am I eligible? A quick check
- Applicants from 183 countries (scholarships available by country of origin)
- Study in Switzerland
- Level: PhD / Doctorate, Postdoctoral, Research
- A completed master's degree.
This is a summary. The official eligibility rules decide who can apply.
Study Destination
Education Level
Eligible Nationalities
Applicants from 183 countries (scholarships available by country of origin)
Eligibility can change between cycles. Confirm your country on the official website.
What Does This Scholarship Cover?
Living costs
- Monthly stipend (covered)
Funding Details
Amount: CHF 2,450 per month
Eligibility Requirements
Academic requirements
Degree: A completed master's degree.
Age
Maximum age 35.
Application Deadline
- Status
- Open Applications are open; deadlines vary
- Applications open
- August 20, 2026
- Deadline type
- Varies by country
- Current cycle
- 2027-2028 academic year
- Next cycle
- Scholarships for 2028-2029 will be advertised from August 2027.
Applications opened on 20 August 2026 and are submitted to Swiss diplomatic representations; deadlines depend on your country of origin.
Deadlines change every cycle. Always confirm the current dates on the official website.
Selection Process
The FCS assesses applications on the candidate profile, the quality of the research project and the potential for future research cooperation, and announces decisions by the end of May at the latest.
Official Links
- Official scholarship page
- Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) (official website)
Last verified: September 26, 2026
Application Abroad is not the scholarship provider and does not accept applications. Apply through the official provider; its website is the final source for eligibility, funding and deadlines.
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Free counselling
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