August 20, 2026
CHF 2,450
Research, PhD, Arts
September – December 2026
The Swiss Government Scholarship required documents checklist includes the official GO ESKAS application form, detailed CV, motivation letter, and a strict 5-page research proposal.
Applicants must use official FCS templates for both the health medical certificate and the two confidential academic recommendation letters.
Research and PhD candidates must attach a signed Letter of Support (Host Letter) along with the host professor’s short CV.
All degree certificates and academic transcripts issued in languages other than English, German, French, or Italian require certified official translations.
Applicants submitting physical sets to the local Swiss Embassy must prepare 2 to 3 un-stapled application sets organized with paper clips.
Table of Contents
When applying for the FCS award, ensuring you have all Swiss Government Scholarship required documents properly formatted is the most critical step to passing the initial eligibility screening for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027
The exact list of documents depends on your scholarship type and country. Research, PhD, and Arts applicants do not all submit the same documents.
This guide gives you a simple checklist and explains what each document should contain.
Swiss Government Scholarship Document Checklist
| Document | Research | PhD | Arts |
|---|---|---|---|
| CV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Motivation Letter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Research Proposal | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Swiss Supervisor Letter | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Supervisor CV | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| 2 Professors' Email Addresses | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Degrees & Transcripts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passport Copy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Residence Document | If needed | If needed | If needed |
| Doctoral School Admission | — | If needed | — |
| Art School Admission | — | — | ✓ |
| Art Portfolio | — | — | ✓ |
✓ = Required — = Not normally required
1. CV
Your CV should give a clear picture of your academic and professional background.
Include:
- Education
- Research experience
- Work experience
- Publications
- Awards
- Relevant skills
Keep the most important information easy to find.
For Research and PhD applicants, give extra attention to experience related to your proposed research.
2. Motivation Letter
our motivation letter should be no more than 2 pages. Explain two main things:
Why Switzerland? Tell the committee why you want to study or do research in Switzerland, and why your chosen institution is a good fit.
What will you do after the scholarship? Explain how the scholarship will help your future study, research, or career.
Keep it personal and specific. Avoid general lines like “Switzerland is a beautiful and developed country.” Focus on your own academic goals instead.
3. Research Proposal
The research proposal is one of the most important documents for Research and PhD applicants.
Use the official FCS/ESKAS form and follow the page limit given in the application.
Your proposal should clearly explain:
- What you want to research
- Why the topic matters
- How you will do the research
- Your timeline
- Expected results
Keep the language simple enough for a non-specialist to understand.
Your proposal should also match your Swiss supervisor’s research area.
Tip: Work on the proposal with your supervisor after they agree to support your application.
4. Host Letter & Supervisor CV Requirement
Research and PhD applicants must submit an official Letter of Support (Host Letter) from their Swiss academic supervisor, confirming their willingness to supervise the project.
Along with this letter, you must attach the professor’s short CV (maximum 2 pages). Submitting the host letter without the supervisor’s CV will render your document file incomplete.
Need help contacting a supervisor? Read our guide on How to Email a Swiss Professor for Your Host Letter.
5. Home Supervisor's CV
Research Fellowship applicants may also need a short CV from their supervisor or mentor at their home institution.
This is separate from the CV of your Swiss supervisor.
Check your country-specific requirements before uploading it.
6. Two Professors' Email Addresses
You normally need to provide the email addresses of two professors in your field.
The application system contacts them for recommendation letters.
Choose professors who know your academic work well.
Before adding their emails, tell them that they may receive a recommendation request.
7. Degrees and Transcripts
Prepare copies of your university certificates and transcripts.
Make sure your documents are clear and complete.
If your documents are not in English, French, German, or Italian, you may need certified translations.
Start this early because translations can take time.
Tip: Do not leave translation work until the final week.
8. Passport Copy
Upload a clear copy of your passport’s identity page.
Make sure your:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Passport number
- Photo
can be read easily.
If you have dual citizenship, check whether copies of both passports are required for your case.
9. Residence Permit
This only applies if you are already living in Switzerland.
You may need to provide a copy of your current residence permit or registration document.
Check the official rules for your scholarship type before submitting it.
10. Doctoral School Admission
Some PhD applicants need proof of admission to a doctoral school.
This depends on how your chosen university handles PhD admission.
Not every Swiss university uses a central doctoral-school system.
So check your university’s admission process before assuming this document is required.
Important: Doctoral-school admission is not a replacement for the required supervisor support where the scholarship requires both.
11. Arts Scholarship Documents
Arts applicants have a different document list.
You may need:
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Two professors’ email addresses
- Degrees and transcripts
- Passport copy
- Swiss art school admission or application proof
Arts Portfolio
Your portfolio requirements depend on your discipline.
For example, you may need:
- Musicians: recordings or scores
- Visual artists: selected works and sketches
- Performing or other artists: examples of your work
Follow the format given in the official application instructions for your field.
11. Official FCS Forms (Medical & Recommendation Letters)
You must use the official FCS (Federal Commission for Scholarships) templates for both your Medical Certificate and the 2 Academic Reference Letters. Standard medical notes or custom recommendation letters written on generic university letterhead will not be accepted.
How to Prepare Your Files
Before uploading your documents:
Use PDF Format
Unless the portal asks for another format, save your documents as PDFs.
Use Clear File Names
For example:
John_Doe_CV.pdf
Ahmad_Research_Proposal.pdf
Avoid names like:
final2.pdf or document123.pdf
Check Page Limits
Follow every page limit exactly.
Do not make a 7-page proposal when the official limit is 5 pages.
Check Your Files
Open every PDF before uploading it.
Make sure:
- All pages are included
- Text is readable
- No page is upside down
- The correct file is uploaded
Common Document Mistakes
- Missing the supervisor’s CV. Some applicants upload the support letter but forget the professor’s short CV.
- Using uncertified translations. Don’t assume your own translation is acceptable — check the official translation rules for your country.
- Uploading the wrong file. Double-check every upload before submitting.
- Ignoring page limits. More pages don’t make your application stronger. Follow the official limit.
- Using an old document list. Requirements can change between scholarship cycles — always check the current 2027–2028 instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many documents do I need in total for a PhD or Research Fellowship application?
Roughly eight to ten, depending on your specific situation: CV, motivation letter, research proposal, supervisor’s letter of support and CV, (for Research Fellowship) your home-institution supervisor’s CV, two professors’ email addresses, certified transcripts, passport copy, and a residence permit copy if you’re already in Switzerland.
What is the FCS/ESKAS research proposal form, and where do I get it?
It’s the official template you must use for your research proposal, which you can download from within your GO ESKAS application once you’ve started it. You can’t submit a proposal in a different format or structure.
Do I need my documents translated if my transcripts are in my native language?
Yes, unless they’re already in English, French, Italian, or German. You’ll need certified translations, except for applicants from India, who can submit self-certified copies instead.
Is there a strict page limit on the CV?
There’s no official page limit stated for the CV specifically, but keep it clear and relevant — the motivation letter and research proposal do have hard limits (2 pages and 5 pages, respectively).
Do I collect my two professors' recommendation letters myself?
No. You only provide their email addresses during the application. The system contacts them directly and asks them to upload their letter using the official form.
What happens if I submit an incomplete application?
It’s rejected outright. There’s no process to fix a missing document after submission, which is why starting your document preparation early — especially translations and your supervisor’s letter — matters so much.
Do Arts Scholarship applicants need a research proposal?
No. Instead of a research proposal and supervisor’s letter, Arts applicants need an art portfolio and confirmation of admission (or a pending application) from a Swiss art school or conservatory.
Final Takeaway
The best way to prepare your Swiss Government Scholarship application is to start collecting documents early.
Your CV, motivation letter, research proposal, supervisor letter, academic records, and passport should be ready before you begin the final submission.
For the complete application process, read our How to Apply for the Swiss Government Scholarship 2027–2028 guide.
Scholarship Researcher and Writer