August 20, 2026
CHF 2,450
Research, PhD, Arts
September – December 2026
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027–2028 provides a monthly stipend of CHF 2,450, health insurance, a CHF 600 housing deposit, and a half-fare travelcard.
Open to international applicants pursuing a Research Fellowship, a full PhD Scholarship, or a Master’s degree in Arts in Switzerland.
Research and PhD candidates must secure a written endorsement from an academic supervisor at a Swiss university before applying.
Applicants must be born after December 31, 1991 (under 35 years old) and hold a recognized Master’s degree by July 2027.
Applications open on August 20, 2026, with country-specific deadlines running from September to December 2026 via an online portal.
Table of Contents
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship offers an opportunity for international researchers and artists to study in Switzerland.
The 2027–2028 applications open from August 20, 2026, till September – December 2026. The scholarship provides eligible students with CHF 2,450 per month. It may also provide health insurance, rental support, public transport support, and a return-flight allowance for some students.
This guide explains the scholarship benefits, eligibility rules, deadlines, documents, and application process.
What Is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is a scholarship offered by the Swiss Government. It helps international students, researchers, and artists study or do research in Switzerland.
The scholarship has three types. Choosing the right type for you depends on your education, study plan, and country.
For the 2027–2028 year, postdoctoral scholarships are no longer offered.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Benefits
This scholarship gives students financial help during their stay in Switzerland.
Monthly Scholarship Payment
- Eligible scholarship holders receive CHF 2,450 per month (approx. USD ~3,070), which helps pay for food, housing, transport, and other daily costs.
Health Insurance
- Students from non-EU/EFTA countries can get free health insurance(EU/EFTA applicants are not eligible).
Rental Deposit Support
- Eligible students can receive a one-time CHF 600 payment for a rental deposit.
Public Transport
- Scholarship holders receive a Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport in Switzerland.
Return Flight Support
- Eligible students from non-EU/EFTA countries may receive a return-flight allowance.
What Is Not Covered?
The scholarship does not pay for every expense.
For example:
- Some tuition and semester fees may still be your responsibility.
- International conference and fieldwork are not covered in this scholarship.
Always check the host university rules before planning your budget.
Swiss Excellence Scholarship Financial Breakdown:
| Category | Included in Scholarship | Paid by Student |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Allowance | CHF 2,450 / month | Extra personal expenses |
| Health Insurance | Fully paid (Non-EU/EFTA) | Required for EU/EFTA scholars |
| Relocation Grant | CHF 600 one-time deposit | Initial visa & travel prep |
| Local Transport | 1-Year Half-Fare Travelcard | Remaining ticket costs |
| Airfare | Return flight provided | Personal side travel |
| Research & Conferences | Not covered | 100% paid by student |
Swiss Scholarship Types
The Swiss Government offers different scholarship types.
Not every type is available in every country.
Research Fellowship Switzerland:
This scholarship is for researchers who want to do research in Switzerland.
You normally need a Swiss professor or academic supervisor to support your research plan.
Swiss PhD scholarship:
This scholarship is for students who want to study for a PhD in Switzerland.
You must meet the academic rules for your country and scholarship type.
A suitable Swiss academic supervisor is also required.
Arts Scholarship Switzerland:
This scholarship is for students who want to study for their first master’s degree in an art field.
It is available only to students from selected countries.
Application Requirement for Swiss Excellence Scholarship
General Requirements:
The exact rules depend on your country and scholarship type.
You should check the official rules before preparing your application.
1. Age Requirement
The programme generally has a maximum age of 35 years.
2. Master’s Degree
Research and PhD applicants normally need a master’s degree.
The degree must be completed by the date July 2027.
3. Swiss Academic Supervisor
Research and PhD applicants need a Swiss academic supervisor.
4. Previous Stay in Switzerland
There are also rules for applicants who already live in Switzerland.
If you have been living or studying/working in Switzerland for more than 13 months before August 20, 2026, you become ineligible to apply.
Degree-Specific Requirements:
- Applicants must have completed his/her Master’s degree by July 31, 2027.
- Applicants applying to ETH Zurich for research /PhD their Master’s degree must be completed by June 30, 2027.
- For Arts Track, applicants must complete his/her Bachelor’s degree by July 31, 2027. Arts scholarship is limited to selected countries and is currently not offered to applicants from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Academic requirements
1. Research Fellowship
Research applicants usually need:
- A master’s degree
- A research proposal
- A clear research plan
- A Swiss academic supervisor
- An academic CV
- Academic certificates and transcripts
The quality of your research plan is important during the selection process.
2. PhD Scholarship
PhD applicants need to meet the academic rules for their country.
They also need a suitable research project and a Swiss academic supervisor.
3. Arts Scholarship
Arts applicants need to check whether this scholarship is available in their country.
They may also need an admission letter or proof of application to a Swiss art or music school.
Need a supervisor? Read our guide on how to email a Swiss professor for your Host Letter.
Application Deadlines for Countries
Applications for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027–2028 opens from August 20, 2026. Starting this year, the entire process is 100% online.
But there is no single deadline for everyone.
Your deadline depends on your country.
For US students, only 10 scholarships are part of this program, and they may have to apply via the Full Bright Scholarship (not via the GO EKAS)
The Swiss Government publishes country-specific deadlines and available scholarship types.
Country-Specific Deadlines Table
| Country | Applications Open | Deadline | Available Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Aug 20, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | Research, PhD |
| India | Aug 20, 2026 | Nov 10, 2026 | Research, PhD |
| United Kingdom | Aug 20, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | Research, PhD |
| United States | Aug 20, 2026 | December, 2026 | Research, PhD, Arts |
| Germany | Aug 20, 2026 | Nov 10, 2026 | Research, PhD, Arts |
| Japan | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | Research, PhD, Arts |
| Afghanistan | Aug 20, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | Research Fellowship, PhD |
| China | Aug 20, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | Research Fellowship |
| Malaysia | Aug 20, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | Research Fellowship, PhD |
| Italy | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 17, 2026 | Research Fellowship, PhD, Arts |
| Türkiye | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | Research Fellowship, PhD |
| Russia | Aug 20, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | Research Fellowship, PhD |
Selection Process and Success rate
Applications are reviewed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) based on
- Academic background
- Research skills
- Quality of the research project
- Originality of the project
- Quality of academic supervision
For Arts applicants, the artistic profile and portfolio are also important.
The exact success rate is not published, but the Swiss Excellence scholarship is highly competitive.
How to Apply
Applying for this scholarship takes time, so start early.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
First, check your age, degree, nationality, and scholarship type.
Step 2: Choose the Right Scholarship
Choose the scholarship that matches your education and study plan.
Step 3: Find a Swiss Professor
Research and PhD applicants need a suitable Swiss academic supervisor.
Step 4: Prepare Your Study or Research Plan
Write a clear research proposal or prepare your art portfolio, depending on your scholarship type.
Step 5: Prepare Your Documents
Collect your certificates, transcripts, CV, motivation letter, proposal, and other required documents.
Step 6: Follow the Official Application Instructions
The exact application process can vary by country.
Always follow the current instructions for your country.
Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline
Check every document before submitting your application.
Do not wait until the last day.
(Note: All documents must be in English, French, Italian, or German. Other languages need certified translations.)
For the full step-by-step walkthrough on the GO ESKAS portal, read our complete application guide.
Required Documents Checklist
The exact documents depend on your scholarship type and country.
For Research & PhD Applicants:
You may need:
- Official application form
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Research proposal
- Research plan
- Academic certificates
- University transcripts
- Letter from your Swiss supervisor
- Recommendation details
- Passport copy
For Arts Master's Applicants:
You may need:
- Official application form
- Artistic CV
- Motivation letter
- Art portfolio
- Admission proof
- Academic records
- Recommendation details
- Passport copy
Important: Check the official country instructions for the final document list.
See our complete Required Documents checklist for the full list by scholarship type
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
An annual scholarship from the Swiss Confederation for early-career researchers and select artists from 183 countries, funding a Research Fellowship, a full PhD, or a first master’s degree in the arts in Switzerland.
Is it fully funded?
It covers your monthly stipend, health insurance (for most applicants), a rental deposit grant, and a transport card, but not tuition/semester fees, conferences, fieldwork, or family support. See “Is the Scholarship Fully Funded?” above for the full breakdown.
How much is the monthly stipend?
CHF 2,450 per month, the same rate for all three scholarship types.
Who can apply?
Citizens of the 183 eligible countries who hold a completed (or nearly completed) master’s degree for Research Fellowship/PhD, or a bachelor’s degree in the arts for the Arts track, and who are under 35 at the scholarship’s start.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes, Pakistan’s 2027–28 deadline is October 31, 2026, for Research Fellowship and PhD only.
Can Bachelor's students apply?
Only for the Arts Scholarship, and only in countries where that track is offered.
Can Master's students apply?
Yes, including students in their final year, as long as the degree is completed by July 31, 2027.
Is a supervisor required?
Yes, for Research Fellowship and PhD applicants. It’s the single most important and most time-consuming part of preparing your application.
What is the age limit?
You must be born after December 31, 1991, making the effective cutoff 35 years old at the September 2027 start date.
What is the application fee?
Applying for the scholarship is totally free. But scholarship doesn’t cover everything; specifically, you might still have to pay your own tuition or semester fees, which can range from about CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester. Some schools might waive these fees for scholarship holders.
What is the deadline?
It depends entirely on your country. Pakistan’s is October 31, 2026; most other countries fall between late October and late November 2026. Check the tables above or the official country list.
How do I apply?
Register and submit your full application online through GO ESKAS (go.eskas.ch), which opens on August 20, 2026. Applications by email or post are not accepted.
When will the results be announced?
By the end of May 2027 at the latest, ahead of the September 2027 start date.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
For 2027–2028, applications open on August 20, 2026, and eligible scholarship holders receive CHF 2,450 per month.
The most important step is to check the rules for your own country.
Start early, find a Swiss supervisor if your scholarship requires one, prepare your documents, and check your official deadline before submitting your application.
Scholarship Researcher and Writer