The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are now open for international applicants seeking funded research and doctoral opportunities in Switzerland. Applications opened on 20 August 2026, with country-specific deadlines generally falling between November and December 2026.
The programme offers opportunities for researchers and doctoral candidates to undertake research or PhD studies at eligible Swiss higher education institutions and research institutions.
One of the most common questions from prospective applicants is whether IELTS is required. Based on the information provided, there is no single general IELTS or TOEFL requirement imposed by the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for every applicant. However, individual Swiss universities, doctoral schools, graduate programmes or research institutions may have their own English or other language requirements.
| Scholarship Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships |
| Academic Year | 2027–2028 |
| Application Opening | 20 August 2026 |
| Deadline | Varies by country |
| Research Fellowship | 6–12 months |
| PhD Scholarship | Up to 36 months |
| Monthly Stipend | CHF 2,450 |
| Eligible Applicants | International students and researchers meeting country-specific requirements |
| Study Location | Switzerland |
| Application System | GO ESKAS |
| Application Method | Online |
| IELTS | Not universally required by the scholarship; institution-specific requirements may apply |
What Are the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are designed to support international researchers and postgraduate students undertaking research and doctoral studies in Switzerland.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, the programme includes three main scholarship categories:
- Research Fellowship
- PhD Scholarship
- Art Scholarship
The availability of each category depends on the applicant’s country of origin. Applicants should therefore check the official country-specific requirements before preparing an application.
For applicants from the African countries covered by the 2027–2028 programme, the information provided indicates that the Research Fellowship and PhD categories are available, while an Art Scholarship is not listed for African applicants.
1. Swiss Government Research Fellowship
The Research Fellowship is intended for early-career researchers who are already pursuing a PhD in their country of origin.
Successful applicants can undertake a full-time research project in Switzerland related to their ongoing doctoral research.
The fellowship lasts between 6 and 12 months and begins on 1 September 2027. The fellowship cannot be extended beyond the approved period.
Young medical doctors who meet the academic requirements may also be eligible.
2. Swiss Government PhD Scholarship
The PhD Scholarship is designed for applicants who have completed a Master’s degree and want to pursue doctoral studies at an eligible Swiss higher education institution or recognized research institute.
The scholarship is initially awarded for 12 months and can be renewed twice, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
This means that the maximum funding period can reach 36 months.
The PhD must be undertaken full-time in Switzerland.
3. Swiss Government Art Scholarship
The third category is the Art Scholarship, which supports applicants seeking their first Master’s degree in an artistic discipline at a Swiss art school or conservatory.
However, this category is available only to applicants from selected countries.
Applicants must therefore verify whether their country is included before applying.
For eligible applicants, the requirements include holding a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification by 31 July 2027 and not already holding a Master’s degree when the scholarship begins.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Benefits
Successful recipients receive a monthly scholarship stipend of:
CHF 2,450 per month
The amount is intended to contribute toward the recipient’s living expenses and is a scholarship rather than a salary.
Additional benefits may include:
- Mandatory health insurance for recipients from countries outside the EU/EFTA
- A one-time CHF 600 contribution toward a rental deposit
- A half-fare card for Swiss public transportation
- A return-flight allowance for eligible recipients from outside the EU/EFTA
These benefits can provide significant financial support for international researchers and PhD students living in Switzerland.
Does the Swiss Government Scholarship Cover Tuition Fees?
An important point for applicants is that the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship does not automatically cover all tuition or semester fees.
Depending on the institution, scholarship recipients may still need to pay approximately CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester, together with certain doctoral or institutional fees.
Other costs, such as international conference participation and fieldwork expenses, are not automatically covered by the scholarship.
Applicants should therefore calculate their expected costs carefully before accepting an award.
Is IELTS Required for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
Is IELTS mandatory?
No single IELTS requirement applies to every Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship applicant.
The scholarship requirements described in the provided information do not establish one universal IELTS or TOEFL score that all Research Fellowship and PhD applicants must submit.
However, this should not be interpreted as meaning that IELTS is never required.
The Swiss university, graduate school, doctoral programme, laboratory or research institution may have its own language requirements.
Therefore, applicants should check two separate sets of requirements:
1. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship requirements
and
2. The admission requirements of the Swiss institution or programme.
For example, a university may require evidence of English-language proficiency for a particular doctoral programme even though the federal scholarship itself does not establish a universal IELTS requirement.
What if I do not have IELTS?
If your chosen Swiss institution does not require IELTS or another English-language test for your particular programme, the absence of an IELTS certificate does not automatically make you ineligible for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship based on the information provided.
However, applicants should confirm the language requirements directly with their prospective institution before submitting the scholarship application.
Who Can Apply?
The core eligibility requirements for the Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship include several important conditions.
Applicants generally need to:
- Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification by 31 July 2027
- Have been born after 31 December 1991
- Prepare a detailed research proposal
- Develop a timetable for the proposed research
- Find an academic supervisor in Switzerland
- Obtain an official letter of support from the Swiss supervisor
- Comply with requirements concerning previous stays in Switzerland
The exact eligibility requirements can vary according to the applicant’s nationality and scholarship category.
Finding a Swiss Academic Supervisor
One of the most important steps in the application process is finding an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
Applicants for Research Fellowships or PhD Scholarships must identify a suitable academic supervisor before submitting their application.
The supervisor must provide a letter of support.
The Swiss authorities do not find supervisors for applicants, and universities do not provide this service as part of the scholarship application process.
Because securing academic support can take several weeks or even months, applicants are advised to begin contacting potential supervisors well before the scholarship deadline.
Swiss Government Scholarship and University Admission
Applicants should also understand that the scholarship application and university admission are separate processes.
For an individually supervised PhD, the scholarship application must include the Swiss supervisor’s letter of support. However, according to the information provided, a final PhD admission letter may not necessarily be required at the time of the scholarship application.
Different rules may apply to graduate or doctoral schools where admission must be secured before a supervisor is formally assigned.
Applicants should therefore check the admission procedure of their intended Swiss institution separately.
Eligible Swiss Universities and Research Institutions
The scholarship can support research at a range of recognized Swiss institutions, including:
- University of Basel
- University of Bern
- University of Fribourg
- University of Geneva
- University of Lausanne
- University of Lucerne
- University of Neuchâtel
- University of St. Gallen
- University of Zurich
- Università della Svizzera italiana
- EPFL
- ETH Zurich
- Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
- PSI
- WSL
- Empa
- Eawag
- Selected universities of applied sciences and other recognized institutions
Scholarship recipients are expected to be physically present in Switzerland and live in the city or canton where their host institution is located.
Required Documents
Applicants for the Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship should prepare several documents.
These include:
- Complete curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter of no more than two pages
- Detailed research proposal
- Research timetable
- Swiss supervisor’s letter of support
- Swiss supervisor’s CV of no more than two pages
- Academic diplomas
- Academic transcripts
- Passport copy
- Residence permit or registration confirmation, where applicable
- Contact details for two different professors who will provide recommendations
Research Fellowship applicants may additionally need a short CV for their supervisor at their home university.
Documents that are not in English, French, German or Italian must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Country-Specific Application Deadlines
There is no single deadline for all applicants.
The deadline depends on the applicant’s country of origin.
For example, the information provided lists the following deadlines for selected African countries:
| Country | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Algeria | 13 November 2026 |
| Ethiopia | 13 November 2026 |
| Morocco | 10 November 2026 |
| Cameroon | 27 November 2026 |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 27 November 2026 |
| Nigeria | 27 November 2026 |
| Senegal | 30 November 2026 |
| South Africa | 30 November 2026 |
Applicants should not assume that their country’s deadline is the same as another applicant’s deadline.
The official country list should be checked before applying.
How to Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
For the 2027–2028 intake, applications are submitted online rather than through Swiss embassies.
Applicants should follow these main steps:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that your country is participating and determine which scholarship category is available to you.
Step 2: Find a Swiss Supervisor
Identify a professor or qualified research leader whose expertise matches your proposed research.
Contact the potential supervisor and seek their support.
Step 3: Prepare Your Research Proposal
Develop a detailed research proposal using the required scholarship format.
The proposal should clearly explain the research topic, objectives, methodology and timetable.
Step 4: Obtain the Supervisor’s Letter
The Swiss academic supervisor must provide the required letter of support.
Step 5: Create a Switch edu-ID
Applicants must create an authenticated Switch edu-ID account to access the application system.
Step 6: Submit Through GO ESKAS
Complete the online application and upload the required documents through GO ESKAS.
Applications and access to the application system are free.
Applicants should use a personal and permanent email address.
Important: Applications Are Free
Applicants should be careful about fraudulent scholarship offers.
The Swiss authorities warn prospective applicants about fake scholarship advertisements circulated through email and social media.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship application is free of charge.
Applicants should not pay anyone claiming to charge a scholarship processing fee on behalf of the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students.
How Are Applications Selected?
Applications are evaluated based on several factors, including:
- Academic qualifications
- Research skills
- Motivation
- Quality of the research proposal
- Originality of the proposed research
- Research methodology
- Quality of supervision
- Potential for future scientific cooperation
For Art Scholarship applicants, artistic qualifications, portfolios and admission prospects are also considered.
Final decisions for the following academic year are announced no later than the end of May.
Important Change for 2027–2028
Applicants should also note that postdoctoral scholarships are no longer offered under the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships from the 2027–2028 programme year.
The programme reform also increased the monthly scholarship stipend to CHF 2,450.
Researchers who have already completed their PhD should therefore check other Swiss funding opportunities rather than assuming they can apply under the former postdoctoral category.
Common Reasons Applications May Be Rejected
Applications may be excluded if they are incomplete or do not comply with the formal requirements.
Potential problems include:
- Submitting multiple applications
- Submitting several research proposals
- Applying for multiple scholarship categories simultaneously
- Failing to identify a Swiss academic supervisor
- Failing to provide the required supervisor support letter
- Exceeding the permitted number of previous applications
- Having previously received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
- Not complying with rules concerning previous residence in Switzerland
- Submitting an application that does not meet country-specific requirements
Applicants should carefully review the official requirements before submitting their application.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027–2028: Key Dates
The major dates to remember are:
20 August 2026: Applications opened
November–December 2026: Country-specific application deadlines
1 September 2027: Research Fellowship commencement
End of May 2027: Scholarship decisions announced no later than this point
Applicants should verify their specific country’s deadline rather than relying on a general November or December deadline.
Final Thoughts
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 provide international researchers and PhD applicants with an opportunity to pursue advanced research in Switzerland while receiving a CHF 2,450 monthly stipend and additional benefits depending on eligibility.
For applicants asking whether IELTS is required, the key point is that there is no universal IELTS requirement stated for all scholarship applicants. However, language-test requirements can be imposed by the individual Swiss university, doctoral programme, graduate school or research institution.
Prospective applicants should therefore secure a Swiss academic supervisor, carefully review the requirements for their country and chosen institution, prepare a strong research proposal, and submit their application through the official online system before their country-specific deadline.
Official Application
Applicants can access the GO ESKAS application system through the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships information provided in the source.
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