Short Description:

The Swiss Confederation offers Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. These scholarships are awarded annually by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), also known as ESKAS. Applications for the 2026–2027 cycle will open on August 4, 2025.

The Research Scholarships are designed for early career researchers who have completed a Master’s degree or higher and wish to conduct research at a Swiss higher education institution. Applicants must secure a research proposal and supervision from a Swiss university or research institution before applying. These scholarships aim to foster scientific exchange and collaboration in various research fields.

Application Requirements:

  • Academic Qualifications: A Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field.
  • Research Proposal: A detailed research proposal aligned with the expertise of a Swiss academic supervisor.
  • Academic Supervisor: Confirmation of supervision from a Swiss university or research institution.
  • Language Proficiency: Proficiency in the language required by the host institution (typically English, German, or French).
  • Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of countries that have a bilateral agreement with Switzerland regarding research scholarships.

Financial Support:

  • Monthly stipend:
  • Research & PhD: approx. CHF 1,920/month
  • Postdoc: approx. CHF 3,500/month
  • Benefits include health insurance, return travel allowance, housing deposit assistance, and a Half-Fare public transport card.
  • Tuition and semester fees are not covered by the scholarship, except where waived by the host institution; recipients bear these costs themselves

Application Deadlines:

Contacts &Resources:

Website link:

https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships#Links

EducationScholarship