Summary
Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 countries. These highly competitive scholarships are designed primarily for talented early career researchers (ECRs) from abroad who have already completed their Master’s degree, as well as for outstanding art students. Recipients are selected by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS).
Fully Funded PhD & Art Positions: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027 – 2028, Switzerland
Designation
- Research Fellow / PhD Student (for Research Scholarships)
- Art Student / Master’s Candidate (for Art Scholarships)
Table: Scholarship Types Overview
(Maximum age for certain categories: 35 | Funding: CHF 2,450 / month)
| Scholarship Type | Target Group | Main Requirements | Max. Duration |
| Research | PhD Students (183 countries) | Master’s Degree, Academic Supervisor | 12 months |
| PhD | PhD Students (183 countries) | Master’s Degree, Academic Supervisor | 36 months |
| Art | Art Students (26 countries) | Bachelor’s Degree, Admission or proof of application | 21 months |
Research Area
- Research/PhD Scholarships: Open to postgraduate researchers in any discipline.
- Art Scholarships: Open to students pursuing an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field.
Location
Switzerland.
Research can be conducted at any Swiss cantonal university, university of applied sciences, federal institutes of technology (ETHZ or EPFL), or at research institutes within the ETH Domain (PSI, WSL, Empa, Eawag).
Eligibility/Qualification
- Research / PhD Applicants: Must hold a Master’s Degree and be an early career researcher. Crucial Prerequisite: The application must be formally backed by an academic supervisor at the chosen Swiss host institution who is willing to direct and guide the proposed research.
- Art Applicants: Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree and provide proof of admission or proof of application to a Swiss artistic Master’s program. (Available to applicants from 26 specific countries).
Job Description
Successful candidates will pursue full-time, postgraduate-level research or a Master’s degree in an artistic field at a recognized Swiss institution. Researchers are expected to execute a high-quality research project under the guidance of a Swiss academic supervisor. The program heavily emphasizes candidate excellence, the quality of the proposed research/artistic work, and the potential for future research cooperation and synergies.
How to Apply
- Ensure your eligibility based on your country of origin (full details per country are published in August 2026).
- Secure an academic supervisor in Switzerland (for research/PhD candidates) or apply for admission to an art program (for art candidates).
- Prepare a comprehensive application emphasizing your candidate profile, the quality of your project, and potential synergies.
- Applications must be officially submitted through the Swiss diplomatic representations (Swiss Embassies) in your country.Note: The application process is completely free of charge. Beware of phishing emails asking for money transfers.
Last Date for Apply
- Applications Open: August 20, 2026
- Deadline: The exact deadline varies by country of origin. Country-specific deadlines and available scholarship types will be officially published by the Swiss representations in August 2026. Award decisions will be announced by the FCS by the end of May 2027 at the latest.
