The Swiss Government is inviting applications for the 2026-27 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Program from interested international candidates.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship offers a full scholarship along with a monthly living stipend of CHF 3,500 for selected students to pursue either a Master’s or PhD degree at universities and institutions across Switzerland.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: Swiss Government
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | CHF 3,500 Monthly Stipend
- Deadline: Varies by Country
Scholarship Details
Each year, the Swiss Confederation grants Government Excellence Scholarships to foster international exchange and research collaboration between Switzerland and more than 180 countries around the world.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship targets foreign researchers and artists, enabling them to study or conduct research at any of Switzerland’s ten public universities, the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, public research and teaching institutes, or Universities of Applied Sciences.
These scholarships are designed for:
- Young researchers from abroad who have completed either a master’s or PhD degree
- Foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree
The scholarship is available in two categories:
- Research Scholarships: Offered for research or advanced studies at Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, the two federal institutes of technology, and the four research institutes
- Art Scholarships: Available for studies at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts; this category is open only to applicants from a specific number of countries
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2026, applicants must:
- Hold a university degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) before the scholarship begins
- Be able to demonstrate strong academic qualifications and goals
- Be under 35 years of age (born on or after 1 January 1990)
- Be proficient in the language of instruction (French, German, Italian, or English)
- For the Research Scholarship: Be postgraduate researchers in any discipline (minimum of a master’s degree), planning to conduct research or further studies at doctoral or post-doctoral level in Switzerland (research fellowship, PhD, or Postdoc)
- For the Art Scholarship: Be art students aiming to pursue an initial master’s degree in Switzerland in the field of arts
Scholarship Benefits
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship covers the entire study period and includes:
- Full tuition fees
- A CHF 3,500 monthly stipend
- Accommodation support
Selection Criteria
The selection criteria for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2026 are:
Applications go through a preliminary selection by national authorities or the Swiss diplomatic missions. Shortlisted applications are subsequently evaluated by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), which makes the final decision.
The FCS assesses candidates based on three main criteria:
- Candidate’s academic profile and achievements
- Quality and feasibility of the proposed research project or artistic work
- Potential for future research collaborations and synergy
The FCS consists of professors from all Swiss public universities. Scholarship awards are granted strictly on the basis of academic and scientific excellence.
The FCS will select scholarship recipients for the 2026-27 academic year by 2027.
How To Apply
Follow these steps to apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2026:
- Interested applicants should select their continent and country of origin (based on their passport nationality) to access specific application information and documents
- Check the application deadlines and available scholarship types, which vary by country. You will also find details about whom to contact for further questions
- Click the link below to begin your application process
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