Scholarships

🎓 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027–2028 — Fully Funded for Students from 183 Countries

Gradualin

June 12, 2026
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The Swiss federal government is offering full scholarships directly to international researchers, PhD candidates, and artists — and your country is almost certainly on the list. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (ESKAS) are awarded every year by the Swiss Confederation to the most talented early-career researchers from around the world. This isn’t a small grant or a partial bursary — it’s a CHF 2,450 per month stipend, health insurance, a travel allowance, a public transport card, and access to world-class institutions including ETH Zurich and EPFL, two of the top 10 universities on earth.

This complete guide from Gradualin covers every detail you need: who can apply, exactly what the scholarship covers, which institutions are included, how to find a supervisor, required documents, and a step-by-step application walkthrough. Applications open on 20 August 2026 — start preparing now.

📋 Quick Info Box

Detail	Information
Scholarship Name	Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (ESKAS)
Awarding Body	Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS)
Country	Switzerland 🇨🇭
Scholarship Types	Research Fellowship / PhD Scholarship / Art Scholarship
Monthly Stipend	CHF 2,450/month (~USD 2,700/month)
Duration	12 months (PhD: renewable up to 36 months)
Open To	183 countries
Start Date	1 September 2027
Application Opens	20 August 2026
Deadlines	Vary by country — published August 2026
IELTS Required	No standardized English test required (verify per institution)
Official Website	sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships

🎓 About the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to encourage international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. Recipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS, also known as ESKAS).

This scholarship has been running for decades — it is one of Switzerland’s flagship soft-power programs and one of the most prestigious government-funded scholarships in the world. Being selected as an ESKAS scholar is a career-defining achievement. Former recipients have gone on to become professors, research leads at global institutions, UN specialists, and industry innovators.

What makes this scholarship stand out from most others is its breadth and flexibility:

Open to every academic discipline — from engineering and medicine to humanities and the arts
Available at 25+ Swiss universities and research institutes, including the globally ranked ETH Zurich and EPFL
Designed specifically for early-career researchers who want to build an international research profile
The scholarship programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries — making it one of the most inclusive government scholarship programs on the planet

The application is entirely free of charge. There are no processing fees, no visa pre-payment requirements, and no hidden costs.

⚠️ Important warning: The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation issues a warning against fake Swiss Federal Government Scholarships advertised by email or published on social media. The application for a Swiss Government Scholarship is completely free of charge — never send money to anyone claiming to process your application.

🎓 Types of Scholarships Available

There are three distinct scholarship types under the ESKAS program. Here’s what each one covers:

🔬 1. Research Fellowship

The research fellowship enables selected applicants to carry out a one-year research project as part of their doctoral studies at a Swiss higher education institution or recognised research institute. It is valid only for full-time research in Switzerland.

Duration: 6 to 12 months (no extensions)
Who it’s for: Early-career doctoral researchers who want to spend time at a Swiss institution as part of an ongoing PhD elsewhere
Key requirement: You must already have or be completing a Master’s degree, and you must secure a Swiss supervisor

🎓 2. PhD Scholarship

The PhD scholarship is intended to support selected applicants in pursuing a PhD at a Swiss university or recognised research institute. It is valid only for full-time research in Switzerland.

Duration: 12 months, renewable up to 36 months (3 years total), subject to academic progress
Who it’s for: Master’s graduates who want to pursue a complete PhD in Switzerland
Key requirement: Master’s degree completed, Swiss supervisor secured, detailed research plan submitted
Start date: 1 September 2027

This is the flagship scholarship type for most international applicants — a fully funded, three-year PhD at one of the world’s best research universities.

🎨 3. Art Scholarship

The art scholarship enables selected applicants to pursue their first Master’s degree at a Swiss art school or conservatory. It is valid only for full-time studies in Switzerland.

Duration: 12 months, extendable up to 21 months
Who it’s for: Talented young artists who do not yet hold a Master’s degree
Fields: Music, visual arts, dance, acting, writing, and other artistic domains
Note: Available to applicants from a limited number of countries only — check the official website for your country’s eligibility

🎓 Scholarship Benefits — What You Receive

All three scholarship types — research fellowships, PhD scholarships, and art scholarships — provide CHF 2,450 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person.

At current exchange rates, CHF 2,450 is approximately USD 2,700 or EUR 2,500 per month — more than enough to live comfortably in most Swiss cities outside of Geneva and Zurich’s most expensive neighbourhoods.

Here is the complete benefits package:

💰 Monthly Stipend: CHF 2,450/month
🏥 Health Insurance: FCS covers the premiums for compulsory health insurance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
🏠 Rental Deposit Grant: A one-time grant of CHF 600 for rental deposit
🚂 Public Transport: A Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport — Switzerland’s famous train network at 50% off
✈️ Return Flight Allowance: Scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries receive a return flight allowance, the amount determined by country of origin
🎉 Activities & Excursions: The coordinating body organises excursions and activities for federal scholarship holders

What is NOT covered:

Tuition/semester fees — some universities require scholarship holders to pay semester fees of approximately CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester, or reduced tuition fees (verify per institution)
Conference participation costs
Field research costs
Family or dependent allowances — the scholarship amount only covers the living expenses for one person; no family allowances are provided

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

Requirements apply to both the Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship:

✅ Master’s degree (or equivalent) completed by 31 July 2027 (ETH Zurich applicants: 30 June 2027)
✅ Age requirement: Date of birth after 31 December 1991 — you must be born after this date to apply
✅ Academic supervisor in Switzerland — a letter of support from a Swiss professor is mandatory
✅ Detailed research plan with a timeline specifying milestones and activities
✅ Two recommendation letters from professors in your field (submitted via the online application system)
✅ Open to all academic disciplines and all 183 eligible countries
✅ No IELTS or TOEFL required as a general program requirement — language requirements vary by individual institution (verify on official website)
✅ Priority given to applicants who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland

Important age note: Applicants must have been born after 31 December 1991 to be eligible. This makes the scholarship targeted at researchers under approximately 35 years of age at the time of application.

🎓 Who Should Apply (And Who Should Not)

✅ Apply if you:

Have completed or are about to complete a Master’s degree in any field
Were born after 31 December 1991
Have a clear, specific research idea you want to pursue in Switzerland
Are able to find — or already have found — a Swiss professor willing to supervise you
Have never previously received an ESKAS scholarship
Are from one of the 183 eligible countries

❌ Don’t apply if you:

Have already received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship in the past
Have been living, studying, or working in Switzerland for more than 13 months before the scholarship start date
Are making more than one simultaneous application for different host universities or scholarship types
Have already submitted three unsuccessful applications to this program
Are looking for a scholarship that covers your full family — this program covers one person only

🎓 Eligible Swiss Universities & Research Institutions

One of the greatest strengths of this scholarship is the quality and variety of host institutions. For Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships, eligible universities include:

World-Class Federal Institutes:

🏛️ ETH Zurich (ETHZ) — consistently ranked #1 in continental Europe and top 10 globally
🏛️ EPFL Lausanne — a global leader in engineering, life sciences, and computing

Research Institutes of the ETH Domain:

Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)
Empa — Materials Science and Technology
Eawag — Aquatic Research

Swiss Cantonal Universities: Universities of Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, St. Gallen, Zurich, and more

Universities of Applied Sciences (Research Fellowships only): HES-SO, BFH, FHNW, ZHAW, HSLU, and others

The full list is available at: sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-at-a-glance

🎓 Required Documents

For Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships:

Complete CV — including education, degrees, publications, awards, positions held, and teaching experience
Letter of Motivation (max. 2 pages) — your reasons for choosing Switzerland, the significance for your career, and your plans after the scholarship
Research Proposal — detailed plan with timeline and milestones, submitted on the official FCS/ESKAS form (max. 5 pages including a non-specialist summary)
Letter of Support from your Swiss academic supervisor, plus their short CV (max. 2 pages)
Two recommendation letters — email addresses of two professors provided in the online system; they will be contacted directly to submit letters
Academic transcripts and degree certificates from all previous universities — if not in English, French, Italian, or German, certified translations required
Copy of passport — dual citizens must submit copies of both passports
Residence permit copy if already residing in Switzerland

For Art Scholarships, additionally:

Art Portfolio in PDF format — music recordings, visual art portfolio, or performance recordings via link or QR code
Admission confirmation from a Swiss University of the Arts or Music

🎓 Finding a Swiss Supervisor — The Most Critical Step

An academic supervisor at a Swiss university is required for all research scholarship applications. Each applicant must find a supervisor in Switzerland to endorse the proposed research project and write a letter of support. Scholarship applications without an academic supervisor will not be considered.

This is the step that trips up most applicants. Here’s how to approach it:

Before contacting a potential supervisor: check whether the academic supervisor at a Swiss higher education institution is conducting research in your desired field. Make sure that your skills and credentials meet all the requirements for the desired scientific collaboration. Keep in mind that the search for an academic supervisor can take weeks or even months, as professors receive many enquiries.

Gradualin’s practical tips for finding your Swiss supervisor:

Start your supervisor search at least 6–9 months before applications open — that means begin now
Use Google Scholar to identify professors at Swiss universities publishing in your research area
Read 2–3 of their recent papers before making contact
Write a concise, personalized email referencing their specific work — not a generic template
Attach a 1-page research statement summarizing your proposed project
Be patient — a non-reply doesn’t always mean no; follow up once after 2–3 weeks

Need a full guide on contacting professors? Read Gradualin’s complete article on How to Find a PhD Supervisor — it includes email templates that work.

🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process

Check your country’s eligibility — visit the official ESKAS website from August 2026 to confirm which scholarship types are available for your country of origin
Find a Swiss supervisor — this must be done before applying; no supervisor = no application
Prepare your research proposal — download the FCS/ESKAS form from the online portal and complete it carefully (max. 5 pages)
Prepare all documents — CV, motivation letter, transcripts, passport copy, and supervisor letter
Open the application portal — applications are submitted exclusively online at go.eskas.ch from 20 August 2026 onward
Submit one application only — you cannot apply to multiple universities or scholarship types simultaneously
Await selection — applications are reviewed by the FCS according to candidate profile, research quality, and potential for cooperation
Results announced — by the end of May at the latest, the FCS will announce its decisions regarding the scholarship awards for the following academic year

🎓 Important Dates

Milestone	Date
Application portal opens	20 August 2026
Country-specific deadlines published	August 2026
Scholarship start date	1 September 2027
Latest results announcement	End of May 2027
Next cycle advertised (2028–2029)	August 2027

📌 Bookmark this page and check back in August 2026 for your country-specific deadline. Deadlines vary — some countries have very early cutoffs.

🎓 Why Switzerland — Why This Scholarship

Switzerland is not just beautiful — it is one of the most scientifically productive countries on earth. With only 8 million people, Switzerland produces more Nobel Prize winners per capita than almost any other nation. ETH Zurich alone has produced over 20 Nobel laureates.

Here’s why an ESKAS scholarship is genuinely life-changing:

🏔️ World-class research environment — Swiss labs are among the best-funded and best-equipped globally
🌐 International network — you’ll collaborate with researchers from 80+ countries at every major Swiss institution
💼 Career acceleration — ESKAS alumni surveys show dramatic career advancement among former scholars, with many securing permanent academic or senior industry positions within two years
🏙️ Quality of life — Switzerland consistently ranks #1 or #2 in global quality of life indices, with exceptional safety, healthcare, and infrastructure
🇪🇺 Gateway to Europe — Switzerland’s central location makes it easy to travel, collaborate, and attend conferences across the continent
🗣️ Multilingual environment — Switzerland’s four official languages (German, French, Italian, Romansh) and English-first research culture prepare you for a truly global career

🎓 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need IELTS or TOEFL to apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship? A: The ESKAS scholarship itself does not require a standardized English test as part of the application. However, individual Swiss universities may have their own language requirements for enrollment. Always verify with your intended host institution. If your previous degrees were taught in English, most universities will accept this as proof of language proficiency (verify on official website).

Q: Can I apply if I have already studied in Switzerland? A: Priority will be given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland. If you have lived, studied, or worked in Switzerland for more than 13 months before the scholarship start date, you are excluded from applying.

Q: How many times can I apply? A: This is the fourth application after three unsuccessful attempts is listed as an exclusion criterion — meaning you can apply a maximum of three times if unsuccessful. Choose your application year wisely.

Q: Can I bring my family to Switzerland on this scholarship? A: The scholarship amount only covers the living expenses for one person. No family allowances are provided. The decision on whether to grant residence permits for accompanying persons is made by federal and cantonal migration authorities, and currently a restrictive policy is in place.

Q: How do I apply if my country is not listed? A: Country-specific eligibility details are published in August each year. If your country is not listed for a specific scholarship type, check whether the Art Scholarship or Research Fellowship applies instead, or check the following year’s cycle.

Q: Is there an application fee? A: Absolutely not. The application for a Swiss Government Scholarship is free of charge. Anyone asking you to pay is running a scam.

🎓 Official Sources & Contact

🔗 Main Scholarship Page: sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships
🔗 Full Details & Requirements: sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-at-a-glance
🔗 FAQ Page: sbfi.admin.ch/en/faq-swiss-government-excellence-scholarships
🔗 Application Portal (opens 20 August 2026): go.eskas.ch
📧 Email Contact: sgs@sbfi.admin.ch
🐦 Twitter/X: @Swiss_FCS

🎓 Summary Table

Detail	Information
Scholarship	Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (ESKAS)
Country	Switzerland 🇨🇭
Types	Research Fellowship / PhD Scholarship / Art Scholarship
Monthly Stipend	CHF 2,450/month
Duration	12 months (PhD: up to 36 months)
Health Insurance	Covered for non-EU/EFTA applicants
Flight Allowance	Yes — for non-EU/EFTA countries
Transport Card	Half-Fare Swiss rail card included
Open To	183 countries
Age Limit	Born after 31 December 1991
Supervisor Required	✅ Yes — mandatory for research/PhD types
Application Opens	20 August 2026
Start Date	1 September 2027
Application Fee	Free