Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 in Switzerland: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are awarded by the Swiss Confederation to researchers from abroad. For 2027–28 they fund a one-year research stay or a PhD of up to three years at a Swiss university. Applications opened on 20 August 2026 and are submitted online. The deadline depends on your country: Pakistan’s is 31 October 2026, and many other countries close on 30 November 2026.

This guide explains the scholarship types, what they pay, who can apply, the documents, how applications are assessed and how to apply step by step. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 at a glance

What are the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?

The scholarships promote research cooperation between Switzerland and other countries. They are for people who already hold a master’s degree and want to do doctoral-level research in Switzerland. Postdoctoral awards are no longer offered. There are three types:

• Research scholarship: a one-year research stay for doctoral researchers.
• PhD scholarship: up to three years for a full PhD in Switzerland.
• Art scholarship: for study at Swiss arts schools, offered to a limited list of countries.

What does the scholarship cover?

Scholarship holders receive 2,450 Swiss francs a month. The award also pays health insurance premiums and a return flight allowance for scholars from outside the EU and EFTA, plus a one-time grant of CHF 600 for a rental deposit and a Half-Fare Travelcard. It does not cover tuition or semester fees, which some institutions charge at about CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester, and it gives no money for conferences or fieldwork. Living costs in Swiss cities are high, so compare the monthly payment with rent and other costs in your host city before you plan your budget.

Who can apply?

• You hold a master’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027, or by 30 June 2027 for ETH Zurich.
• You were born after 31 December 1991.
• A Swiss academic supervisor supports your research proposal.
• You have a research proposal with a clear timeline.

Each country has its own information sheet with any extra conditions, so read the one for your country.

Where can you study?

Eligible hosts include the universities of Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, St. Gallen and Zurich, the Università della Svizzera italiana, ETH Zurich and EPFL, the research institutes of the ETH Domain, the Geneva Graduate Institute and the Swiss universities of applied sciences.

Documents you need

• The online application on the FCS portal
• Research proposal
• A letter of support from your Swiss supervisor
• CV
• Two recommendation letters
• Degree certificates and transcripts

The supervisor’s letter takes the longest to obtain. Contact professors weeks before your deadline.

How applications are assessed

The FCS assesses applications on three criteria:

1. The candidate: academic profile, research capacity and motivation.
2. The research project: originality and sound methodology.
3. The academic context: quality of supervision and potential for future academic cooperation.

Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed.

Timeline for 2027–28

How to apply, step by step

1. Check your country’s deadline and information sheet on the official page.
2. Find a supervisor at a Swiss university and agree your research topic.
3. Write your research proposal with a timeline.
4. Ask for the supervisor’s letter of support and your two recommendation letters.
5. Complete the online application on the FCS portal.
6. Submit before your country’s deadline.

Our guide on how to email professors has a template you can adapt for Swiss supervisors.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Start with the supervisor. Supervision quality is one of the three criteria.
• Make the proposal original and explain the method clearly.
• Explain how your stay could build future cooperation between your home institution and Switzerland.
• Keep to the format and page limits in your country’s information sheet.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without a confirmed Swiss supervisor.
• Using another country’s deadline.
• A proposal that describes a topic but not a method.
• Applying for a postdoctoral stay, which is no longer funded.

Is this scholarship right for you?

It suits you if:

• you hold a master’s degree, or will have one before the start date;
• you were born after 31 December 1991;
• you have a research idea and can find a Swiss professor to support it;
• you want a research stay or a full PhD in Switzerland.

Look elsewhere if:

• you want a master’s degree, in which case see our ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship guide;
• you want a postdoctoral position, which is no longer funded;
• you cannot secure a supervisor’s letter before your country’s deadline.

How to find a Swiss supervisor

The supervisor’s letter is required, and the quality of supervision is one of the three assessment criteria. Start at least two months before your deadline:

1. Search the department pages of eligible Swiss universities for professors working on your topic.
2. Read two or three of their recent papers.
3. Send a short email with your CV and a one-page research outline. Explain why their group fits and mention the scholarship by name.
4. Write to one professor at a time and wait about a week before a polite follow-up.
5. When a professor agrees, develop the proposal with them and ask for the letter of support in the format the FCS requires.

Our guide on how to email professors has a template you can adapt.

How to write the research proposal

The FCS assesses the originality and methodological soundness of your project. Follow the template and page limit in your country’s information sheet, and cover:

• the research question and why it matters;
• what has already been done and the gap you will fill;
• your method, data or materials, and how you will analyse them;
• a timeline for the scholarship period;
• how the stay will build cooperation between your home institution and the Swiss host.

Our research proposal template shows the structure in detail.

A preparation plan

1. Three months before your country’s deadline: read the information sheet for your country and shortlist professors.
2. Two months before: contact professors and agree your topic.
3. Six weeks before: write the proposal and ask for two recommendation letters.
4. One month before: obtain the supervisor’s letter and prepare your CV, certificates and transcripts.
5. Two weeks before: complete the online application and check every upload.
6. By the deadline: submit. For Pakistan it is 31 October 2026.

After you apply

Applications are first assessed in your own country, and shortlisted candidates may be interviewed. The files then go to the Federal Commission for Scholarships, which makes the final decisions by the end of May 2027. Scholarships start on 1 September 2027. If you are selected, you apply for a Swiss visa with your award letter and arrange housing with help from your host university.

Your CV and recommendation letters

The first assessment criterion is the candidate, which covers your academic profile, research capacity and motivation. Your CV and letters are where you show it. In the CV, put your degrees and results first, then research experience, publications, conference presentations and technical skills. Our research CV template gives the order. For the two recommendation letters, choose professors who supervised your thesis or research and who can describe what you did with specific examples. Give them your proposal and CV, and ask at least four weeks ahead. Letters usually have to be confidential and in a sealed or directly submitted form, so read your country’s instructions.

If you are not selected

The scholarships are competitive, and each country has a small number of places. If you are unsuccessful, ask your Swiss supervisor whether the group has other funding, such as a position on a research grant, and consider applying again next year with a stronger proposal or a publication. You must still meet the age limit in the year you reapply.

Language of your research

Switzerland has several national languages, and the language you need depends on your host university and research group. Many doctoral projects are carried out in English. Agree the working language with your supervisor early, and check whether your country’s information sheet asks for a language certificate.

Final checklist before you submit

• You are using your own country’s deadline and information sheet.
• You meet the age and degree requirements.
• Your supervisor’s letter of support is signed and attached.
• Your research proposal follows the required template and includes a timeline.
• Two recommendation letters are attached.
• Your CV, degree certificates and transcripts are complete.
• You submitted through the FCS portal before the deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Is IELTS required?

Language requirements depend on your host university and supervisor. Check your country’s information sheet and the university’s rules.

What is the deadline for Pakistan?

31 October 2026.

Can I apply for a master’s degree?

No. The scholarships are for research stays and PhD study, and you need a master’s degree to apply.

Is there an age limit?

Applicants must be born after 31 December 1991.

How much is the scholarship?

CHF 2,450 a month.

Where to apply

Apply through the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships page. See our Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships page for the full details, and our ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship page for master’s funding in Switzerland.