Pursue Your Studies in Switzerland: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2025-2026 Now Open
Great news! The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is now accepting applications. This article provides detailed information about the scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for the academic year 2025-2026 is a fully funded opportunity for international students. This scholarship is available for master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral studies, covering a monthly stipend, tuition fee exemption, health insurance, airfare, and a housing allowance.
Sponsored by the Federal Commission of Scholarships (FCS) in collaboration with the Swiss government, the Swiss Government Scholarship is awarded to students from over 180 countries. Highly qualified postgraduate researchers from all academic fields, as well as young medical doctors, are encouraged to apply.
Scholarship Overview
- Level of Study: Masters, PhD, Postdoctoral
- Institution(s): Swiss Government / Swiss Universities
- Location: Switzerland
- Opportunity Focus Areas: Various disciplines
- Program Duration: Varies depending on the degree
- Application Deadline: Country-specific. Check details here
Types of Swiss Government Scholarships
- Research Scholarships: Available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline (holding a master’s degree at minimum) planning to pursue research or further studies at doctoral or postdoctoral levels at Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, and federal institutes of technology.
- Art Scholarships: Open to art students pursuing an initial master’s degree in Switzerland, available to students from a limited number of countries.
Scholarship Benefits
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships offer the following benefits:
- Monthly payment of CHF 1,920
- Swiss health insurance for non-EU and non-EFTA grantees
- Flight allowance for non-EU and non-EFTA grantees (one-time return ticket)
- CHF 300 housing allowance (paid once at the start of the scholarship)
- One-year half-fare public transportation card
- Support services and various organized trips, dinners, and sightseeing tours
Refer to country-specific fact sheets for detailed benefits.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Language: English
- Eligible Countries: All countries
- Education: Master’s degree or equivalent university degree achieved before 31 July 2024 (degree certificate recognized by a Swiss university)
- Age: Born after 31 December 1989
- Residency: Applicants who have been in Switzerland for more than a year at the start of the scholarship in September are not eligible
- Academic Support: Letter from an academic host professor at the chosen Swiss university, including their short CV
- Research Proposal: A complete research proposal with a time frame
- Language Skills: Proficiency in the necessary language skills for the research/studies
- Previous Scholarship: Applicants who have already benefited from a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible
- Relocation: Scholarship holders are expected to move to Switzerland during the grant period
Refer to country-specific fact sheets for detailed eligibility criteria.
Application Process
To apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, follow these steps:
- Prepare the Following Documents:
- Signed FCS application form (typed and printed)
- Full CV with a list of academic publications and awards
- Motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
- Complete research proposal (max. 5 pages, signed), using the FCS research proposal format
- Letter from an academic host professor at the chosen Swiss university (including their short CV)
- Short CV of the academic mentor at the home institution
- Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors in the applicant’s field (use the FCS reference form – originals in sealed envelopes for the 1st set)
- Photocopies of certificates, grade sheets, and diplomas with grades, starting with the most recent (attested certified translations in English if not in English, French, Italian, or German)
- Signed medical certificate (use the FCS health certificate form)
- Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data). Dual nationals should add copies of both passports. Applicants already in Switzerland should add a copy of their residence permit.
- Obtain the Application Package:
- From the Swiss representation in your country.
- Submit Application Documents:
- Submit 2 sets (1 original + 1 copy) of the application documents in the exact order given. The 1st set contains the original signed documents plus the confidential letters of recommendation and, if applicable, attested translations. The 2nd set is a copy of the 1st set, except for the confidential letters of recommendation (only included in the 1st set). Note: Do not use plastic folders or binders.
Additional Information
For more details about the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, please visit the official website.