The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships offer fully funded opportunities for outstanding foreign scholars and artists. Research scholarships are available for post‑graduate researchers (PhD and post‑doc level) in any discipline. Art scholarships are open to advanced‑level artists seeking a master’s degree at Swiss conservatories or universities of the arts. This programme connects you with leading Swiss institutions such as cantonal universities, federal institutes of technology, universities of applied sciences, and public research centres. ↚
Fully Funded Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, Switzerland.
Eligibility
You must hold a bachelor’s degree (for art masters) or a master's degree / PhD (for research scholarships). Be a citizen of a country with diplomatic relations with Switzerland; note that applicants residing in Switzerland for more than one year at the time of application are not eligible, nor may previous recipients apply again. For art scholarships, only certain countries are eligible. You must have an acceptance letter and short CV from a Swiss professor willing to supervise your project.
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Benefits
Enjoy fully funded support including a monthly stipend to cover living expenses, university tuition, and access to top-tier Swiss research environments. Also gain cultural immersion in multilingual Switzerland, networking with global scholars, and potential future academic collaboration.
Application Procedure
Watch for the official call opening in early August on the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation website. Download the application package and guidelines (usually available by late July), then prepare your complete file and submit by post to the Swiss diplomatic representation in your home country between September and December. Final decisions are made by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students by the end of May, with scholarships beginning the following September.
About the Organiser
The programme is managed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) under the Swiss Confederation. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) oversees the process. Swiss embassies or consulates in your country coordinate the first selection stage, after which FCS makes the final awards.
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Tips for a Winning Application
Reach out early to Swiss professors whose research aligns with your interests, and secure in writing their support. Write a concise, compelling motivation letter (max two pages) and strong research or artistic proposal (max five pages, clearly structured). Submit well‑translated academic records and strong recommendation letters. Demonstrate how your profile and project will promote international collaboration. Submit two full sets of documents (original + copy) and follow country‑specific deadlines closely. Avoid any fees—beware of fake emails asking for payment.
