Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists

Organizer Information

The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS / ESKAS), operating under the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI) of the Swiss Confederation, manages the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Designed to foster international exchange and research collaboration between Switzerland and over 180 countries, the program enables young researchers, scholars, and artists to conduct advanced research, doctoral studies, or master's-level artistic pursuits across premier Swiss public universities, federal institutes of technology (ETH Zurich, EPFL), research institutes, and conservatories/universities of the arts.

Key Information

• Official Program Title: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists (FCS / ESKAS)
• Program Type: Fellowship / Grant / Master’s (Arts only) / PhD / Postdoc
• Institution Name: Host Swiss Public Universities (Cantonal Universities, ETH Zurich, EPFL), Universities of Applied Sciences, Research Institutes, and Swiss Conservatories / Universities of the Arts
• Country / City: Switzerland (Various cities across cantons, e.g., Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Bern, Lucerne)
• Academic Field: Fine Arts, Design, Music, Performing Arts, Film, Architecture, Humanities, Media Studies, Cultural Studies, and all academic research disciplines
• Language of Degree: English, French, German, or Italian (depending on host institution and program)
• Number of Open Study Places: Selective global intake (approx. 200–500 total awards distributed globally across 180+ partner nations; max 24 new students allocated per specific national delegation/category)
• Application Period: August 20 – September / December (annual country-specific cycle via diplomatic representations or GO ESKAS online portal)
• Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: N/A (Evaluated directly via dossier and academic committee review; interviews arranged by specific embassies if required)
• Announcement of Admissions Result Date: Late May (Annual notification cycle by the FCS)
• Application Deadline: Country-specific deadlines between September and December (published annually on SBFI country fact sheets)
• Start of Studies Date: September 1 (Fall Semester)
• Tuition: Exemption or reduction of tuition fees is generally granted by host public universities for scholarship recipients; exact policy varies by institution

Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines

• Accepted Academic Backgrounds: Bachelor's degree holders in artistic disciplines (for Master's Art Scholarships); Master's degree holders or current PhD candidates/postdocs (for Research, PhD, and Postdoctoral Fellowships).
• Preferred Disciplines: Fine Arts, Design, Visual Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Media Arts, Film, Conservation, Curatorial Practice, and all scientific/humanities research disciplines.
• Interdisciplinary Acceptance Rules: Interdisciplinary and cross-domain projects are encouraged. Candidates must show clear alignment with their host institution supervisor's expertise or department profile.
• Portfolio Relevance: Essential for Art Scholarships. Artistic maturity, creative execution, and potential as demonstrated in the portfolio are core criteria.

General Eligibility

• Who Can Apply?: Foreign scholars and artists holding citizenship from one of the 180+ eligible partner countries (applicants must apply according to their passport nationality).
• Age Restrictions: Born after December 31, 1991 (under 35 years old at the time of application for PhD and Art tracks).
• Professional vs Academic Eligibility: Candidates must exhibit academic excellence, research competence, or artistic maturity.
• Portfolio-Based Eligibility Conditions: Art applicants must hold a recognized Bachelor's degree and an admission letter (or proof of application) from a Swiss University of the Arts or Music Conservatory.

Educational Background

• Required Minimum Degree:
  • Art Scholarships: Recognized Bachelor’s degree (BA/BFA or equivalent) completed prior to July 31 preceding matriculation.
  • Research / PhD Scholarships: Recognized Master’s degree (MA/MSc or equivalent).
  • Postdoctoral Scholarships: Completed PhD degree.
• Accepted Fields of Study: All recognized academic and artistic disciplines.
• Equivalent Professional Experience Acceptance: Professional experience does not replace degree requirements; formal academic credentials must be verified.
• Excluded or Non-Eligible Backgrounds: Applicants who have resided in Switzerland for more than one year prior to the start of the scholarship (before August 1) or those who already hold a Master's degree (when applying for the Art Master's track).

Language Proficiency Requirement

• Required Language(s): Proficiency in English, German, French, or Italian (matching the primary language of instruction/research at the host Swiss institution).
• Minimum Test Scores: Dependent on host university requirements (e.g., IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL iBT 90–100 or CEFR B2/C1 in French/German/Italian).
• Waiver Conditions: Certified statement of language proficiency provided by the host Swiss professor or institution can satisfy requirements in specific research cases.

Additional Eligibility Conditions

• Nationality Restrictions: Available to citizens of over 180 countries; Art Scholarships are available to a restricted subset of partner nations (approx. 26 eligible countries).
• Work or Research Experience Requirements: Mandatory research proposal (max. 5 pages) detailing key objectives and methodologies for research tracks.
• Host Supervisor Requirement: Research, PhD, and Postdoc applicants must obtain a formal letter of support from an academic supervisor (host professor) at a eligible Swiss institution prior to applying.
• Visa or Institutional Constraints: Scholars must reside in Switzerland (in the canton of their host institution) for the duration of the scholarship. Family accompaniment is restricted; no family allowances are provided.

Tuition

Funding & Financial Support

• Scholarships (Full / Partial):
  • Monthly Living Grant: CHF 2,450 / month (Art & PhD) or CHF 3,500 / month (Postdoc).
  • Health & Accident Insurance: Covered directly by the Swiss Federal Government.
  • Housing Allowance: One-time housing grant of CHF 600 provided upon arrival.
• Grants / Stipends: Return airfare allowance provided for scholarship holders originating from non-EU/EFTA countries.
• Teaching or Research Assistantships: Scholarship holders may participate in university assistantships provided FCS is notified and total compensation complies with regulations.
• Studio / Production Funding: Access to institutional studio labs, performance halls, libraries, and research facilities at the host university.

University Services & Academic Support

• Studio / Lab Access: Full access to host institution studios, sound laboratories, media suites, digital fabrication workshops, and research centers.
• Research Supervision: Dedicated academic supervision from leading Swiss professors and international artists.
• Mentorship Programs: Integration into university research groups and network support via Swissnex and FCS alumni networks.
• Career Services: Access to university career centers, academic writing workshops, and research publishing guidance.
• Exhibition / Residency Opportunities: Opportunity to present research or exhibit artistic projects through host university showcases, conservatories, and public forums.
• Library / Archive Access: Complete access to Swiss university libraries, federal research archives, and digital database networks (SLSP).
• International Student Support Services: Administrative support for Swiss residence permits (Permit B), housing search, health insurance setup, and cultural integration.

Application Requirements

• FCS Application Form: Completed via the GO ESKAS online portal.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailed academic/artistic CV including publication or exhibition list.
• Motivation Letter: Maximum 2 pages outlining academic and personal goals in Switzerland.
• Research Proposal / Project Plan: Maximum 5 pages (for research tracks) including timeframes, research methodology, and goals.
• Artistic Portfolio: Mandatory for Art candidates (PDF, web link, or high-resolution documentation of recent creative work).
• Support Letter from Host Supervisor: Mandatory invitation/support letter from a professor at a Swiss host university (including their short CV).
• Letters of Recommendation: 2 confidential recommendation letters from academic referees.
• Academic Transcripts & Diplomas: Scanned official copies of degree certificates and mark sheets with certified translations.
• Medical Certificate: Signed official FCS medical certificate from a licensed physician.

How to Apply?

1. Confirm your country’s eligibility by checking your nationality fact sheet on the official SBFI page.
2. For Research/PhD candidates: Secure a formal support letter from an academic supervisor at an eligible Swiss higher education institution. For Art candidates: Obtain an admission or application confirmation from a Swiss University of the Arts.
3. Access the GO ESKAS online application portal (or contact the Swiss Embassy in your home country) to complete the electronic application form, upload all required documents, and submit before your national deadline.

Deadline & Timeline

• Application Period Opens: August 20 (Annual launch)
• Application Deadline: Country-specific deadlines between September and December (published by local Swiss embassies/consulates)
• Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: N/A (Internal dossier review by the Federal Commission)
• Admissions Results Notification Date: Late May
• Start of Studies Date: September 1

Location

In-Person: Host Swiss Higher Education Institutions across Switzerland (e.g., Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Bern, Lugano, Lucerne).

Additional Details

Selection by the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) is strictly based on three criteria: Candidate Profile, Quality of the Research/Artistic Project, and Synergies/Future Potential for Academic Collaboration. The scholarship is awarded for an initial 12-month period (renewable up to 36 months for PhD tracks, or up to 21 months for Art Master's tracks depending on required ECTS credits).

Website Link

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Official Page