Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 offer international researchers and artists an opportunity to pursue research or postgraduate artistic studies in Switzerland. The programme is open to applicants from 183 countries, with research scholarships providing CHF 2,450 per month. Applications open on 20 August 2026, while country-specific deadlines and scholarship availability will be published in August 2026.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 provide an opportunity for talented international researchers and artists to pursue academic and research activities in Switzerland.

Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international academic exchange and strengthen research cooperation between Switzerland and countries around the world. The scholarships are awarded by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).

For the 2027–2028 academic year, the programme is open to applicants from 183 countries. Applications are scheduled to open on 20 August 2026.

Background & Scholarship Description

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are primarily designed for talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a Master’s degree.

The programme provides opportunities for postgraduate researchers to conduct research at eligible Swiss higher education and research institutions.

The scholarship programme also includes Art Scholarships, which are available to students seeking an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland. However, art scholarships are available only to applicants from a limited number of countries.

The programme aims to strengthen international exchange while creating opportunities for future research cooperation between Switzerland and scholars from other countries.

Research Scholarships

Research scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline who wish to undertake research at eligible Swiss institutions.

Eligible host institutions listed by the Swiss authorities include:

Swiss cantonal universities.
Universities of applied sciences.
ETH Zurich (ETHZ).
EPFL.
Research institutes within the ETH Domain, including PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag.

A key requirement is that the research proposal must be supported by an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to direct and guide the applicant’s proposed research.

This means prospective applicants should pay particular attention to identifying an appropriate academic supervisor and establishing the necessary academic support before submitting their application.

Scholarship Funding

The information provided by the Swiss authorities states that the research scholarship provides funding of:

CHF 2,450 per month

The scholarship overview also indicates a maximum age of 35 for the relevant scholarship category.

Applicants should consult the country-specific scholarship information once it is published because eligibility conditions, available scholarship types and application deadlines can vary according to the applicant’s country of origin.

Art Scholarships

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships also include Art Scholarships.

These scholarships are intended for students who wish to pursue an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland.

However, unlike the research scholarships, Art Scholarships are available to students from a limited number of countries.

Applicants interested in an art scholarship should therefore check the country-specific information released by the Swiss authorities to determine whether the scholarship is available to them.

Eligibility Requirements

The programme is primarily intended for talented international researchers and artists.

For research scholarships, applicants should generally be early-career researchers who have already completed a Master’s degree and have an appropriate research project.

The source specifically identifies the following important requirements and considerations:

Applicants should be international candidates from eligible countries.
Research scholarship applicants should have already completed a Master’s degree.
Applicants should be within the stated age limit of 35 for the relevant scholarship category.
Research applicants need an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
The proposed research should be suitable for an eligible Swiss institution.
Art scholarship applicants must be pursuing an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field.
Art scholarships are available only to applicants from selected countries.

Because the Swiss authorities state that scholarship availability and deadlines are published according to country of origin, applicants should check their specific country information before preparing the final application.

Application Requirements

The Swiss authorities indicate that applicants should begin preparing their scholarship applications before applications formally open.

For research applicants, one of the most important elements is securing support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland.

Applicants should therefore consider preparing:

A clear research project.
Academic documentation.
Information about previous academic achievements.
Details of the proposed research.
Evidence supporting their academic profile.
Confirmation from an appropriate Swiss academic supervisor.

Art applicants should prepare documentation relevant to their proposed artistic studies and artistic work.

The exact application documents and requirements should be confirmed using the country-specific information provided by the Swiss authorities.

Selection Process

Applications are submitted to Swiss diplomatic representations, after which the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students assesses the applications.

The FCS evaluates applications according to three main criteria:

Candidate Profile

The academic or professional profile of the applicant is considered as part of the selection process.

Quality of the Research Project or Artistic Work

For research applicants, the quality of the proposed research project is an important consideration.

For art applicants, the quality of the proposed artistic work is assessed.

Synergies and Future Research Cooperation

The selection process also considers potential synergies and opportunities for future research cooperation.

This reflects the wider objective of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to strengthen international academic exchange and research collaboration.

Application Timeline

For the 2027–2028 academic year, the Swiss authorities state that:

Applications open: 20 August 2026
Country-specific deadlines: To be published in August 2026
Scholarship decisions: By the end of May at the latest
Academic year: 2027–2028

Applicants should not assume that there is one universal closing date for every country. The official information states that application deadlines and scholarship availability will be published according to the applicant’s country of origin.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should begin by checking the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships information for their country of origin.

The application process involves submitting the required materials through the appropriate Swiss diplomatic representation.

Research applicants should also ensure that they have the required academic support from a Swiss supervisor.

A practical preparation process includes:

Confirm whether the scholarship is available to your country.
Review the country-specific eligibility requirements.
Identify an appropriate Swiss university or research institution.
Develop a strong research project where applicable.
Secure support from a Swiss academic supervisor.
Prepare the required academic and personal documents.
Check the official application deadline for your country.
Submit the application according to the official instructions.

Applicants should use only official Swiss Government information when preparing their applications.

Why Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?

The programme offers international researchers the opportunity to become part of Switzerland’s academic and research environment.

A successful research scholar can benefit from:

Monthly scholarship support.
Access to Swiss universities and research institutions.
Use of academic and research facilities.
International academic exchange.
Opportunities to develop research collaborations.
Exposure to Switzerland’s research environment.
Potential future research cooperation.

The programme is particularly relevant to early-career researchers who have a clearly developed research direction and are interested in conducting research in Switzerland.

Important Warning About Scholarship Scams

The Swiss authorities have issued an explicit warning about fake Swiss Government scholarship offers.

Applicants should be cautious about emails, social media posts or other communications claiming to offer a Swiss Federal Government Scholarship while requesting money for visa processing, insurance or other supposed costs.

The official information states that the application for a Swiss Government Scholarship is free of charge.

Applicants should never send money in response to suspicious scholarship offers claiming to represent the Swiss Government.

Important Information for Applicants

Before applying, prospective candidates should remember:

Applications open on 20 August 2026.
The programme is available to applicants from 183 countries.
Country-specific deadlines and scholarship availability will be published in August 2026.
Research scholarships are primarily intended for international early-career researchers who have completed a Master’s degree.
The research scholarship provides CHF 2,450 per month, according to the scholarship overview.
Research applicants need support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
Art scholarships are available only to applicants from selected countries.
Selection considers the candidate profile, project quality and potential future research cooperation.
The application is free of charge.
Applicants should be alert to fraudulent scholarship offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do applications open?

Applications for the 2027–2028 scholarship cycle open on 20 August 2026.

How much does the research scholarship provide?

The scholarship overview states that research scholarships provide CHF 2,450 per month.

Who can apply?

The programme is primarily intended for talented international early-career researchers who have completed a Master’s degree. Art scholarships are available to eligible students from selected countries.

Do research applicants need a Swiss supervisor?

Yes. The research scholarship requires the application to be supported by an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to guide the proposed research.

Can applicants from any country apply?

The programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries, but the available scholarship types and requirements depend on the applicant’s country of origin.

Are there scholarships for artists?

Yes. Art Scholarships support students pursuing an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field, although they are available only to applicants from a limited number of countries.

Is there one deadline for all applicants?

No. The Swiss authorities state that application deadlines and scholarship availability will be published according to the applicant’s country of origin.

Is the application free?

Yes. The Swiss authorities specifically warn applicants against fake scholarship offers and state that applications for Swiss Government Scholarships are free of charge.

Conclusion

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 provide an important opportunity for international researchers and eligible artists seeking to advance their academic or artistic careers in Switzerland.

Research scholarships are primarily aimed at talented early-career researchers who have completed a Master’s degree and have a suitable research project supported by a Swiss academic supervisor. Eligible research applicants can receive CHF 2,450 per month, according to the official scholarship overview.

Applications open on 20 August 2026, while country-specific deadlines and scholarship availability will be published in August 2026. Prospective applicants should therefore begin preparing early and carefully review the requirements that apply to their country of origin.

Most importantly, applicants should use official Swiss Government channels and remember that the scholarship application is free.

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