The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are prestigious, fully funded awards granted annually by the Swiss Confederation to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and 183 countries worldwide. Administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), the programme supports talented early-career researchers and young artists who wish to pursue advanced study, doctoral research, postdoctoral work, or initial master's degrees in art at Switzerland's world-leading universities, federal institutes of technology, and conservatories.
With monthly stipends ranging from CHF 1,920 to CHF 3,500, comprehensive health insurance coverage, and a one-time housing grant, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is one of the most competitive and generous funding opportunities for international scholars and artists.
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SCHOLARSHIP LIST INLINE
About this opportunity
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are mainly intended for talented early-career researchers (ECRs) from abroad who have already completed their Master's degree, as well as for foreign artists holding a Bachelor's degree.
The programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries, making it one of the most globally accessible government scholarship schemes in Europe.
Key features of the programme:
Two scholarship tracks — Research scholarships and Art scholarships
All academic disciplines eligible for research scholarships
Prestigious host institutions — Swiss cantonal universities, ETH Zurich, EPFL, universities of applied sciences, and research institutes
Mandatory academic supervision — Research applicants must secure a Swiss professor willing to host and guide their project
No tuition fees covered — Scholarship is a living stipend; semester fees (approx. CHF 600–2,000) are the responsibility of the scholar
No application fee
Related: Learn more about studying in Switzerland and the ETH Domain research institutes.
Financial Benefits
Successful Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship recipients receive comprehensive financial support:
Monthly stipend — CHF 1,920 (research fellowship/PhD/art) to CHF 3,500 (postdoc) to cover basic living expenses
Health insurance — FCS covers premiums for compulsory health insurance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
One-time housing grant — CHF 600 for rental deposit
Half-Fare Travelcard — For public transport across Switzerland
Return flight allowance — For scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries (amount determined by country of origin)
Excursions and activities — Organised by the coordinating body for federal scholarship holders
Note: The scholarship does not cover tuition or semester fees (approx. CHF 600–2,000 per semester), conference participation, or field research costs.
What's covered
- Tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Flight/travel costs
Documents Required
All applicants must submit the following documents (in English, French, German, or Italian):
For Research Scholarships:
Complete CV
Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages)
Research proposal (max. 5 pages + summary)
Letter of support from Swiss academic supervisor (with short CV, max. 2 pages)
Short CV of home university supervisor (for research fellowships)
Confirmation of admission (for PhD scholarships at graduate schools)
Two recommendation letters
Certificates and transcripts with certified translations (if applicable)
Medical certificate (FCS form)
Copy of passport(s)
Swiss residence permit or registration (if applicable)
For Art Scholarships:
Complete CV
Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages)
Two recommendation letters
Certificates and transcripts with certified translations
Medical certificate (FCS form)
Copy of passport(s)
Swiss residence permit or registration (if applicable)
Portfolio:
Music applicants: High-quality audio files (3 styles) or scores (for composers)
Visual arts applicants: 3 labelled photos of artworks + sketches
Other arts (dance, acting, writing): Digital files of performances/creations
Confirmation of application/admission to Swiss art/music school
Important: Do not put documents into plastic folders or binders. Submit two complete copies to the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Must be a citizen of one of the 183 eligible countries
Must be born after 31 December 1991 (maximum age approximately 35)
Research scholarships: Must hold a Master's degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027 (ETH Zurich: 30 June 2027); for postdocs, PhD must have been completed between 1 January 2023 and 31 July 2027
Art scholarships: Must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027 and must not yet hold a Master's degree
Must have a letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (for research) or proof of application/admission to a Swiss art school (for art)
Must not have lived in Switzerland for more than one year before the start of the scholarship
Priority given to candidates who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland
How to Apply
Follow these steps to complete your application:
Select your country of origin — According to your passport, check the country-specific information for available scholarship types, eligibility criteria, and deadlines.
Secure a Swiss supervisor (research) or art school admission (art) — Contact professors or institutions well in advance to obtain a letter of support or proof of application.
Download the application package — Available from the official website when the call opens.
Prepare your documents — Gather all required materials, including research proposal, CV, motivation letter, transcripts, recommendation letters, and medical certificate.
Submit two complete copies — Send to the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation (embassy or consulate) in your country of origin by the country-specific deadline.
Await selection — Shortlisted applications are reviewed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS); decisions announced by end of May.
Applications open starting August 20, 2026.