September 2026
CHF 1,920 / 3,500
PhD & Postdoc Researchers
Nov 30, 2026 (HEC)
Table of Contents
The Swiss Government Scholarship for Pakistan Students is one of the most prestigious, fully funded opportunities for researchers, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral scholars.
Offered annually by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), this program covers full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance (up to CHF 3,500), health insurance, housing allowance, and return air travel to Switzerland.
However, many applicants face confusion due to the specific HEC Pakistan preliminary clearance steps and the strict mandatory requirement of securing an academic supervisor.
To make your application smooth, we have created dedicated guides covering every phase of the process:Â
How the Swiss Application Process Works in Pakistan (HEC Guidelines)
HEC does not receive or process applications for this scholarship. HEC only advertises the opportunity on its website, as a public service to Pakistani students and researchers.
Your actual application goes directly to the Swiss Government’s own portal, GO ESKAS, with no HEC step, no HEC account, and no HEC-side document submission anywhere in the process.
This is genuinely different from how some other scholarships work. If you’ve researched programs like Stipendium Hungaricum, where HEC is a mandatory Sending Partner requiring its own separate application, it’s natural to assume the same structure applies here. It doesn’t.
For the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, HEC’s role begins and ends with the announcement, everything else happens directly between you and the Swiss authorities.
Scholarship Categories Available to Pakistani Applicants
Pakistan’s HEC announcement and the Embassy of Switzerland confirm two categories open to Pakistani applicants:
- 1-Year Research Scholarship for doctoral candidates who want to carry out a research stay in Switzerland as part of a PhD they’re already pursuing at home
- 3-Year PhD Scholarship for candidates who want to complete a full PhD at a Swiss institution
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The Arts Scholarship track is not currently offered to Pakistani applicants,only Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship categories are available.Â
Eligibility Criteria for Pakistani Students 2027/2028
- You must be a Pakistani citizen applying from Pakistan, or otherwise processed through the Pakistan application channel
- A completed (or nearly completed) master’s degree for either category completed by July 31, 2027, for this cycle
- Born after December 31, 1991 (age 35 or younger at the scholarship’s September 2027 start)
- A confirmed Swiss academic supervisor who agrees, in writing, to support your project; this is checked closely, and applications without one aren’t considered
- You haven’t lived, studied, or worked in Switzerland for more than 13 months before your scholarship start date.
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There’s no separate Pakistan-specific academic test or aptitude requirement layered on top of these.
Unlike some other scholarship programs, the Swiss scholarship doesn’t ask Pakistani applicants for anything beyond what’s required of applicants from any other eligible country.
Scholarship Benefits & Monthly Stipend Breakdown
| Level | Monthly Stipend | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Research Fellowship | CHF 2,450 | 12 months maximum (non-extendable) |
| PhD Scholarship | CHF 2,450 | 12 to 36 months maximum (subject to academic progress) |
| Postdoctoral Scholarship | CHF 3,500 | 12 months maximum |
What is Covered (Scholarship Benefits):
Monthly Stipend: CHF 2,450/month (CHF 3,500/month for Postdocs)
Health Insurance: 100% fully covered Swiss medical insurance
Housing Allowance: One-time CHF 600 rental deposit grant
Public Transport: 1-Year Swiss Half-Fare Travelcard (50% discount)
Return Airfare: Fully covered return flight to Pakistan
What is NOT Covered (Exclusions):
Tuition Fees: Minor semester admin fees (if the university does not waive them)
Conferences & Fieldwork: International travel and external research costs
Family Support: No additional allowance for spouses or children (funding is for a single applicant only)Â
How to Find a Swiss Academic Supervisor (Host Letter)
This is the step that decides whether the rest of your application matters. You need a professor or lab group leader at an eligible Swiss institution to formally agree to supervise your research before you can submit a complete application, and this step alone commonly takes months, not weeks.
Our full guide on how to email a Swiss professor for your Host Letter walks through exactly how to search for the right person, what to write, and includes ready-to-use email templates.
Start this process as early as possible. It’s predictably the part Pakistani applicants underestimate most.
How to Apply via GO ESKAS Portal (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Confirm that you meet the eligibility rules above, including your degree timeline and age.
- Find and secure a Swiss academic supervisor, ideally months before the deadline.
- Register directly on GO ESKAS, not through HEC or any other Pakistan-based portal.
- Complete your application, including your research proposal, supervisor’s letter of support, and academic documents.
- Submit before October 31, 2026. Applications by email or post aren’t accepted, and HEC cannot submit anything on your behalf.
- Wait for results, expected by the end of May 2027 at the latest.
GO ESKAS Portal Walkthrough:
See exact form-filling instructions in our detailed Swiss scholarship application guide.
Required Documents Checklist for Swiss Scholarship
- CV
- Letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages)
- Research proposal on the official FCS/ESKAS form (maximum 5 pages)
- Letter of support from your Swiss academic supervisor, plus their short CV
- Email addresses of two professors in your field, for recommendation letters
- Certified transcripts and degree certificates, with certified translations if not already in English, French, Italian, or German
- A copy of your passport
Don’t Miss Any Paperwork!
Review our full Swiss scholarship required documents checklist to learn the exact attestation steps, translation rules, and formatting guidelines
Application Timeline & Deadline for Pakistan 2027
- Applications opened: August 20, 2026
- Deadline: October 31, 2026
- Results: by the end of May 2027 at the latest
- Studies begin: September 2027
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Pakistan’s deadline falls earlier than several other countries.
Some nearby countries have deadlines into November, so don’t assume you have more time than you actually do.Â
Critical Application Mistakes & Scams to Avoid
- Trying to apply through HEC. HEC doesn’t process applications for this scholarship; go directly to GO ESKAS.
- Waiting to start the supervisor search. This is the single biggest reason strong applicants run out of time.
- Assuming a Pakistan-specific test or attestation chain is required, as it is for some other scholarships. It isn’t for this one.
- Missing the October 31 deadline by confusing it with a different country’s later date.
- Sending documents by email or post. Only GO ESKAS submissions are accepted.
- Falling for phishing scams. The Swiss authorities have publicly warned about fake offers asking for visa or processing fees. The real application is completely free, and no legitimate step ever asks you for money.Â
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does HEC accept applications for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
No. HEC only promotes the scholarship. Applications go directly through the Swiss Government’s GO ESKAS portal, with no HEC involvement.
What is the deadline for Pakistani applicants?
October 31, 2026, for the 2027–28 cycle.Â
What scholarship categories are open to Pakistani students?
A one-year Research Scholarship and a three-Year PhD Scholarship. The Arts Scholarship track isn’t currently offered in Pakistan.
Do I need a Swiss academic supervisor before I apply?
Yes, for both categories. This is a hard requirement, and finding one is usually the most time-consuming part of the whole process. Â
How much does the scholarship pay?
CHF 2,450 a month, plus health insurance, a one-time rental deposit grant, a transport pass, and a return flight.
Is there an application fee?
No. The application is completely free. Be cautious of any message asking you to pay a fee, since that’s a known scam pattern.
Can Pakistani master's students still finishing their degree apply?
Yes, as long as you complete the degree by July 31, 2027.
Official Application Links
Contact Email:
- Embassy of Switzerland in Pakistan contact: islamabad.scholarships@eda.admin.ch
- HEC announcement page: hec.gov.pk
Scholarship Researcher and Writer