Switzerland Government Scholarships 2027-2028 Admissions To Open For All

Switzerland Government Scholarships 2027-2028 provide opportunities for talented international researchers and selected postgraduate artists to study or conduct research in Switzerland. Learn about the scholarship types, eligibility, funding, application process, deadlines and participating countries.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are offered by the Swiss Confederation to strengthen international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and countries around the world.

According to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), the programme is mainly designed for talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a master’s degree. For the 2027–2028 cycle, the programme is open to applicants from 183 countries.

Scholarship recipients are selected by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS).

The programme includes different scholarship categories, with the main opportunities being Research Scholarships, PhD Scholarships and Art Scholarships. The eligibility and duration depend on the category and the applicant’s country of origin.

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

Scholarship Benefits

The published scholarship overview identifies a funding level of approximately CHF 2,450 per month for the applicable scholarship categories.

Research Scholarships

Research scholarships are available for postgraduate researchers in various academic disciplines who wish to conduct research at eligible Swiss institutions.

The host institution can 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 major requirement is that the research project is supported by an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is prepared to supervise and guide the applicant.

The maximum duration listed for the research scholarship is 12 months.

PhD Scholarships

The PhD scholarship category is intended for applicants pursuing doctoral research in Switzerland.

The published overview lists a maximum funding period of 36 months.

Applicants are expected to have a master’s degree and an appropriate academic supervisor in Switzerland.

Art Scholarships

Art scholarships support students who want to pursue an initial master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland.

However, this category is not available to applicants from all 183 countries. The official overview states that art scholarships are available to applicants from 26 countries.

The maximum funding period listed is 21 months.

Qualifications

Education Requirements

For the main research and PhD routes, applicants generally need a master’s degree and should meet the relevant academic requirements for their proposed research.

Research applicants should have a clearly developed research project and identify an appropriate academic supervisor in Switzerland.

For the art scholarship, applicants need a bachelor’s degree and either admission or proof of application to the relevant Swiss institution.

Country Eligibility

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries, while the art scholarship category applies to a smaller list of countries.

Applicants should therefore verify the specific scholarship availability for their nationality before preparing an application.

Research Requirements

Research scholarship applicants must propose research that can be undertaken at an eligible Swiss institution and must obtain support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland.

The quality of the proposed research is one of the factors assessed during the selection process.

Additional Information

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are intended to promote international academic exchange rather than simply provide general tuition funding.

Applicants should carefully consider the requirements of their chosen Swiss university or research institution separately from the scholarship application. Receiving a scholarship does not necessarily mean that the applicant has automatically been admitted to a Swiss institution.

The Swiss authorities also emphasize that the application is free of charge. Applicants should be cautious of fake scholarship advertisements or individuals requesting payment for visas, insurance or other supposed scholarship-processing costs.

The official SERI website specifically warns against fraudulent offers made using the name of the Swiss Government.

Application Process

Applications for the 2027–2028 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships open on 20 August 2026.

Applicants should begin by reviewing the scholarship information applicable to their country of origin and selecting the appropriate scholarship category.

For research applicants, an important early step is finding a suitable academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to support the proposed research.

Applications are submitted through the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation according to the procedures established for each country.

The selection process considers three main criteria:

Candidate profile: the applicant’s academic and professional background.

Quality of the research project or artistic work: the strength and relevance of the proposed research or artistic project.

Synergies and potential for future research cooperation: the potential for continued international research collaboration and exchange.

Important Dates

For the 2027–2028 cycle:

Applications open: 20 August 2026

Scholarship information by country: published from August 2026

Selection: carried out by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students

Award notification: by the end of May 2027 at the latest

The precise application deadline may vary depending on the applicant’s country of origin, so candidates should consult the information provided for their country through the official Swiss Government scholarship database and the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation.

Scholarships for the 2028–2029 academic year are expected to be advertised from August 2027.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The programme is particularly relevant to international researchers who have completed master’s-level studies and are looking to develop advanced research experience in Switzerland.

Potential applicants may include:

Early-career researchers
PhD candidates
Postgraduate researchers
Researchers seeking international research collaboration
Qualified art students from eligible countries

The research scholarships cover a wide range of disciplines, making the programme relevant to applicants from different academic backgrounds.

How to Apply

Applicants should use the official Swiss Government process rather than third-party scholarship websites.

The recommended application process is to first confirm that the scholarship category is available for your nationality, review the applicable requirements, identify a suitable Swiss institution and academic supervisor where required, prepare the research proposal and supporting documents, and then submit the application through the designated Swiss diplomatic representation.

Candidates should also check the admission requirements of their intended Swiss university because scholarship selection and university admission are separate processes.

Key Facts

Scholarship: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Academic year: 2027–2028
Country: Switzerland
Eligible countries: 183 countries for the main programme categories
Main categories: Research, PhD and Art
Monthly funding listed: CHF 2,450
Research duration: Up to 12 months
PhD duration: Up to 36 months
Art duration: Up to 21 months
Research requirement: Swiss academic supervisor
Applications open: 20 August 2026
Application deadline: Varies by country
Final award decisions: By the end of May 2027

International applicants interested in postgraduate research or advanced academic development in Switzerland should review the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 information carefully, particularly the country-specific eligibility and deadlines.

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