The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year are now available. These fully funded scholarships are open to international students and are awarded by the Swiss Confederation to promote collaboration between Switzerland and other nations. Sponsored by the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS), the scholarships offer Research Scholarships and Arts Scholarships to individuals from over 183 countries. The program targets early-career researchers and those seeking a first Master’s degree in an Arts-related field in Switzerland. Details regarding requirements, benefits, and the application procedure are provided below.

Details About Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026/27

• Host Country: Switzerland
• Degree Level: Master, Doctoral, or Post Doctoral level.
• Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
• Deadline: Each Country has a different deadline. (Check Here)

Financial Support

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship will cover:

• Round Airfare Tickets
• Monthly Stipend for Expenses and Accommodation
• Housing Allowance
• One-year half-fare public transportation card.
• Health Insurance
• Some Universities cover Tuition Fees, while some do not.

Types of Scholarships Under the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Program

• Research Scholarships
• Art Scholarships

Research Scholarship Types

• Research Fellowships: This scholarship funds one year of full-time doctoral research in Switzerland.
• PhD Scholarship: This scholarship supports full-time PhD research in Switzerland.
• Post Doc Scholarship: Supports full-time postdoctoral research in Switzerland.

Art Scholarships

This scholarship funds your first full-time Master’s degree in art at a Swiss school.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Scholarship is open to Citizens of 183 Countries.
• Check the List of Eligible Countries.
• Selection is based on the candidate’s profile, the quality of their research/artistic work, and their potential for future collaboration.
• The Scholarship will begin on 1 September 2026.

Requirements for a Research Fellowship

• For highly qualified early-career researchers (including young medical doctors).
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) completed by July 31, 2026 (June 30 for ETH Zurich).
• Born after December 31, 1990.
• Requires a detailed research plan with a timeline.
• Mandatory letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (with their short CV).
• If in Switzerland, the entry date must be after August 1, 2025.

Requirements for a PhD Scholarship

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) completed by July 31, 2026 (June 30 for ETH Zurich).
• Born after December 31, 1990.
• Detailed research plan with timeline required.
• A letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (with their short CV) is mandatory.
• If already in Switzerland, the entry date must be after August 1, 2025.
• Priority goes to candidates who haven’t previously studied or researched in Switzerland.

Requirements for a Post Doc Scholarship

• For highly qualified early-career postdocs.
• PhD completed between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2026 (June 30 for ETH Zurich).
• Requires a detailed research plan with a timeline.
• Mandatory letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (with their short CV).
• If in Switzerland, the entry date must be after August 1, 2025.

Requirements for an Arts Scholarship

• For highly talented young artists pursuing their first full-time Master’s degree in Switzerland.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) completed by July 31, 2026.
• Born after December 31, 1990.
• Must not hold a Master’s degree.
• The admission process to a Swiss art/music school must be submitted already.
• If in Switzerland, the entry date must be after August 1, 2025.
• Available to a limited number of countries; priority given to those new to studying/researching in Switzerland.

How to Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?

From here, you will find useful information on how to prepare your scholarship application. The Link to the official website is below.