Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 – Study and Research in Switzerland
International students and researchers looking for scholarship opportunities in Europe can consider the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28.
Every year, the Swiss Confederation offers Government Excellence Scholarships to support international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 countries. The programme is administered through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).
Applications for the 2027–28 scholarship cycle opened on 20 August 2026, although the exact scholarship type and deadline depend on the applicant’s country of origin.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027–28 – Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Scholarship | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships |
| Academic year | 2027–28 |
| Main target | International researchers and postgraduate candidates |
| Application opening | 20 August 2026 |
| Scholarship amount | CHF 2,450/month for listed research scholarships |
| Study/research start | September 2027 |
| Academic supervisor | Required for research and PhD applications |
| Countries | 180+ countries, depending on programme |
The exact scholarship category available to an applicant depends on their country of origin. Applicants must therefore check the official country-specific information before applying.
What Scholarships Are Available?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships include different categories depending on nationality and academic background.
For research applicants, the programme includes opportunities such as:
- Research Fellowships
- PhD Scholarships
- Other country-specific scholarship categories
The official Swiss information states that research fellowships allow selected applicants to undertake a research project at a Swiss higher education institution or recognised research institute.
Swiss Research Fellowship
The research fellowship is intended for highly qualified early-career researchers.
Applicants generally need:
- A Master’s degree or equivalent
- A detailed research proposal
- A Swiss academic supervisor
- Appropriate academic qualifications
- To meet the country-specific eligibility requirements
For the 2027/28 cycle, the official Swiss Government information states that the Master’s degree must generally be completed by 31 July 2027, while the deadline for ETH Zurich is 30 June 2027.
Scholarship Benefits
For the research scholarships described by the Swiss Government, the current scholarship contribution is:
CHF 2,450 per month
The research fellowship can run for up to 12 months depending on the specific category.
Applicants should remember that scholarship benefits differ by scholarship type and country. Do not assume every Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship provides exactly the same funding package.
A Swiss Academic Supervisor Is Required
This is one of the most important points applicants should understand.
Research Fellowship and PhD applicants need an academic supervisor at a Swiss university or eligible institution.
The supervisor must support the proposed research project and provide the required letter of support.
The Swiss Government states that applications without the required academic supervisor will not be considered.
Therefore, applicants should begin contacting potential supervisors well before the scholarship deadline.
How to Find a Swiss Supervisor
Before contacting a professor, research their current work.
Look for:
- Research interests matching your proposal
- Recent publications
- Current projects
- Laboratory or research group
- University department
- Evidence that they supervise doctoral or research students
Your initial email should be short and professional.
Include:
- Your academic background
- Proposed research topic
- Why their research matches your project
- Your CV
- A concise research proposal or concept note
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility varies depending on the specific scholarship category and country.
For the research fellowship information currently published by Switzerland, applicants generally need:
- A Master’s degree or equivalent
- Strong academic qualifications
- A research proposal
- A Swiss academic supervisor
- To meet the applicable age and nationality conditions
For the current research fellowship criteria, the Swiss Government lists a birth-date requirement of after 31 December 1991 and a Master’s degree completion requirement by the relevant 2027 date.
Important Change for 2027/28
There is an important update for prospective applicants.
The Swiss Government states that postdoctoral scholarships will no longer be awarded from the 2027/28 academic year.
Therefore, students should not confuse older Swiss scholarship information with the current 2027/28 programme.
Selection Criteria
The Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships considers several factors, including:
- Academic profile
- Research competence
- Motivation
- Originality of the research project
- Methodological quality
- Quality of supervision
- Potential for future research cooperation
A strong research proposal is therefore extremely important.
How to Apply
The exact application process depends on the applicant’s nationality and scholarship category.
A typical process involves:
- Check the scholarship available for your country.
- Review the country-specific deadline.
- Identify a suitable Swiss academic supervisor.
- Develop your research proposal.
- Obtain the supervisor’s support.
- Prepare academic documents.
- Follow the official application procedure for your country.
- Submit before the applicable deadline.
Applications are handled through the Swiss authorities/diplomatic representations according to the relevant scholarship category.
Beware of Fake Swiss Scholarship Offers
This is particularly important.
The Swiss Government has published an explicit warning about fake scholarship offers using the Swiss Government’s name.
Applicants should never send money to an individual or organisation claiming that payment is required to obtain a Swiss Government scholarship.
Always use the official Swiss Government website and the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation.
Final Thoughts
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 provide an important opportunity for international researchers and PhD candidates interested in studying or conducting research in Switzerland.
The most important step for research and PhD applicants is to start looking for a suitable Swiss academic supervisor early.
Because the exact scholarship type and deadline depend on nationality, applicants should always check the official country-specific information before preparing their final application.
Official Information
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 – Official Website
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Eligibility & Benefits