Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

What the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Is

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is awarded by the Swiss Confederation to talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a Master’s degree. The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students selects the recipients, and the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation runs the programme. For the 2027–28 academic year it is open to applicants from 183 countries, for research fellowships, PhD study and — in selected countries — art scholarships. The postdoctoral scholarship has been discontinued from the 2027–28 call. It is not a general undergraduate or Master’s award.

What It Pays — and What It Does Not

The award is a monthly grant of CHF 2,450 for one person’s basic living costs. It is not a salary, and it does not pay tuition or semester fees, which can run to roughly CHF 600 to 2,000 per semester at some institutions. That is why it is classed here as partially funded: it covers living costs well, but the study costs sit outside the award. There are no family allowances, so the grant is calculated for one person only.

Who Can Apply

The scholarship is open to applicants from 183 countries for the Research Fellowship and PhD tracks (and art scholarships in selected countries). Applicants need a Master’s degree, must have been born after 31 December 1991, and must have a Swiss academic supervisor who agrees to direct the proposed research. That supervisor’s support is not a formality — without it, the application is not considered, and finding a supervisor takes weeks, so start contacting professors long before the deadline. The research must start on 1 September 2027 and be carried out full-time in Switzerland.

How to Apply

Apply online only, through the GO ESKAS portal, and submit to the Swiss diplomatic representation. Do not send anything by email or on paper. The application is entirely free — the Swiss authorities warn against fake offers that ask for payment, and no agent can submit it for you. Deadlines vary by country — for example, Pakistan 31 October 2026, Philippines 27 November 2026, India 10 November 2026. Check the deadline for your country on the official page. The next call, for 2028–29, will be advertised from August 2027, so the right time to start is by finding a supervisor and shaping a research proposal now, months ahead of the next window.

Is It Right for You?

This award suits a Master’s graduate with a clear research idea and the patience to build a relationship with a Swiss professor. It is less suited to someone looking for a taught Master’s degree, because this programme funds research fellowships and PhD study, not taught Master’s degrees. The funding is solid for living costs, but the tuition gap must be planned for in advance.

Official source: State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) — Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships