PhDSwitzerlandPartial Funding
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 in Switzerland (PhD and Research)
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Program Overview
The Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS, also called ESKAS) to support research cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 countries. For 2027–28 there are research scholarships (a research stay of 6 to 12 months for researchers doing a PhD outside Switzerland), PhD scholarships (12 months, renewable up to 36 months) and Master in Arts scholarships for a limited number of countries. Postdoctoral scholarships are not on the 2027–28 list. All scholarships start on 1 September 2027.
Applications opened on 20 August 2026 and are made only online in the GO ESKAS portal. Applying is free. Deadlines are set by country of origin. Pakistan's deadline is 31 October 2026, as stated in the Higher Education Commission (HEC) notice; no closing time is given, so apply early. Check the country list on the official page for your own country.
Scholars receive CHF 2,450 a month for living costs, plus health insurance and a return flight allowance for scholars from outside the EU and EFTA. The scholarship does not cover tuition or semester fees: some universities charge scholarship holders about CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester, and you pay this yourself. For that reason this scholarship is shown here as partial funding.
Eligible host institutions include the universities of Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, St. Gallen and Zurich, Università della Svizzera italiana, ETH Zurich, EPFL, the ETH Domain research institutes (PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag), the Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) and the Swiss universities of applied sciences. This page was last checked against the SERI website on 7 October 2026.
Key Information
Host Country
Switzerland
Funding Type
Partial
English Requirement
Varies — check program requirements
Eligible Nations
Citizens of 183 eligible countries (deadline differs by country; Pakistan: 31 October 2026)
Category
Partial Funding
Applications Open
Opened 20 August 2026
Status
Accepting Applications
Scholarship Benefits
CHF 2,450 per month for the basic living costs of one person (it is not a salary)
Health insurance premiums for scholars from non-EU and non-EFTA countries
Return flight allowance for scholars from non-EU and non-EFTA countries; the amount depends on your country of origin
One-time grant of CHF 600 for a rental deposit
Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
Not covered: tuition or semester fees, which are about CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester at some institutions
Not covered: conference costs, fieldwork costs and family allowances
Eligibility Criteria
- Master's degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027 (30 June 2027 for ETH Zurich)
- Born after 31 December 1991
- A letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland; applications without one are not considered
- A detailed research plan with a timeline of milestones and activities
- Research scholarships are for researchers doing their PhD outside Switzerland; PhD scholarships are for a full PhD in Switzerland
- If you already live in Switzerland, your date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2026
- Not eligible: anyone who has already held a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, a fourth application after three unsuccessful ones, or anyone living in Switzerland since more than 13 months before the start
- Only one application is allowed: one host university, one scholarship type and one research project
Guides for this scholarship
How Applications Are Evaluated
Each scholarship provider uses its own selection criteria. Applicants should review the official scholarship guidelines for the specific criteria used to evaluate applications.
Selection information published by the provider
- The candidate: academic profile, research capacity and motivation
- The research project: originality and methodological soundness
- The academic context: quality of supervision and potential for future academic cooperation
Required Documents
Complete CV with your education, degrees, awards, positions, publications and teaching experience (required)
Letter of motivation, maximum 2 pages (required)
Research proposal on the FCS form, maximum 5 pages including a summary for non-specialists; you download the form inside the online application (required)
Letter of support from your academic supervisor at a Swiss institution (required)
Short CV of that Swiss supervisor, maximum 2 pages (required)
Email addresses of two different professors in your field; the system asks them to upload a recommendation letter on the FCS form (required)
Copies of certificates and transcripts from your previous universities, with certified translations if they are not in English, French, Italian or German (required)
Copy of your passport; dual citizens submit both passports (required)
Short CV of your supervisor at your home university (research scholarships only)
Confirmation of admission to the graduate school (PhD scholarships at graduate schools only)
Copy of your residence permit or registration confirmation (only if you already live in Switzerland)
How to Apply
1
Check the scholarship types and the deadline for your country in the country list on the official page
2
Find an academic supervisor in Switzerland who supports your project; this can take weeks or months
3
Check your eligibility and register in GO ESKAS (Grants Online), the official application portal
4
Prepare your application in GO ESKAS and upload all documents; do not send anything by email or on paper
5
Enter the email addresses of two professors, who upload their recommendation letters in the system
6
Submit before your country's deadline: Pakistan by 31 October 2026
7
Applying is free, and decisions come by the end of May 2027 at the latest
Ready to Submit?
Ensure you have reviewed all requirements and gathered your documents before starting the application.
Official Application WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
It varies by program and by your previous education. Some providers accept other English tests, and some waive the test if your earlier degree was taught in English. Check the official program requirements before you apply.
The official deadline is 10/31/2026. We highly recommend submitting your application at least a week prior to avoid server congestion.
Most universities allow you to apply with a "Hope Certificate" or provisional transcript if you are in your final semester, provided you graduate before the intake starts.
This varies by university. Many fully funded scholarships cover or waive application fees, but some may still require an initial processing fee. Refer to the official guidelines.
For PhD and some Master's programs, securing an acceptance letter from a professor is often mandatory. For undergraduate programs, it is usually not required.
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