The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 offer international students and researchers an opportunity to pursue advanced academic and research programmes in Switzerland. The scholarship programme is awarded annually by the Swiss Confederation to promote international academic exchange and strengthen research cooperation between Switzerland and countries around the world. The programme is administered through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), which evaluates applications and selects successful candidates. For the 2027–2028 academic year, applications open on 20 August 2026, with eligibility, deadlines and available scholarship categories varying according to the applicant’s country of origin. Scholarship Programme Overview The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are primarily designed for talented early-career researchers who have already completed a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification. The programme currently covers applicants from 183 countries, although the specific scholarship opportunities available can differ by nationality. The main categories include Research Scholarships, PhD Scholarships and Art Scholarships. Research and PhD applicants can receive funding of up to CHF 2,450 per month, while the maximum scholarship duration depends on the programme. Research scholarships can be awarded for up to 12 months, while PhD scholarships can extend for up to 36 months. Applicants for these categories are generally required to be no older than 35 years at the time specified by the programme. Research Scholarships Research scholarships are intended for postgraduate researchers from abroad who wish to conduct research in Switzerland. Applicants can pursue research in any academic discipline and may be hosted by Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, the two Swiss federal institutes of technology, ETH Zurich and EPFL, or one of the four research institutes within the ETH Domain. A key requirement is the support of an academic supervisor in Switzerland. The prospective supervisor must be willing to guide and support the applicant’s proposed research project. Applicants should therefore identify a suitable Swiss academic institution and supervisor well before submitting their scholarship application. The research proposal is an important component of the application and should demonstrate academic quality, feasibility and relevance to the applicant’s research objectives. PhD Scholarships The PhD scholarship category provides international doctoral candidates with the opportunity to undertake doctoral studies and research at eligible Swiss institutions. Applicants are generally expected to hold a Master’s degree and secure the support of an academic supervisor in Switzerland. The scholarship can provide funding for up to 36 months, making it particularly valuable for international researchers seeking to complete a substantial doctoral programme in Switzerland. Applicants should carefully review the country-specific requirements because eligibility conditions, application procedures and deadlines may differ according to nationality. Art Scholarships Art scholarships are designed for international students seeking to pursue an initial Master’s degree in an artistic discipline in Switzerland. Unlike the research categories, Art Scholarships are available to applicants from a more limited group of countries. Applicants generally need to hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification and must have secured admission, or provided evidence of an application, to an eligible Swiss art institution. The maximum duration for an Art Scholarship is 21 months, subject to the applicable programme conditions. Application Process and Deadlines Applications for the 2027–2028 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships open on 20 August 2026. Country-specific information, including scholarship availability and application deadlines, is provided through the official Swiss Government scholarship information. Applicants should begin preparations early by reviewing the requirements for their country, identifying an appropriate Swiss institution and supervisor where required, preparing their research proposal or artistic portfolio, and assembling all supporting documents. How Applications Are Evaluated After applications are submitted through the designated Swiss diplomatic representations, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students assesses candidates according to several key criteria. These include the candidate’s overall profile, the quality of the proposed research project or artistic work, and the potential for future research cooperation and academic synergies. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate strong academic or artistic potential and a clear rationale for undertaking their proposed programme in Switzerland. Important Warning About Scholarship Scams The Swiss authorities have issued a warning about fraudulent scholarship offers using the name of the Swiss Government. Applicants should be particularly cautious of emails or social media messages requesting money for supposed visa, insurance or administrative costs. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship application is free of charge. Applicants should never send money in response to an unofficial scholarship offer and should rely on official Swiss Government sources when verifying application information. Final Considerations for Applicants The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide a significant opportunity for international researchers, doctoral candidates and eligible artists to gain academic experience in Switzerland while developing international research networks. Prospective applicants should carefully verify their nationality-specific eligibility, scholarship category, application deadline and documentation requirements before applying. Early preparation is especially important for research applicants who must secure the support of an appropriate academic supervisor in Switzerland. Decisions for the 2027–2028 academic year are expected to be communicated by the end of May 2027 at the latest. The Swiss Government plans to advertise scholarships for the 2028–2029 academic year from August 2027. Official application and programme information: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). 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