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Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships at a Glance

The following information is intended for individuals interested in applying for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship. Here you will find all the details needed to prepare your scholarship application.

Research scholarships

Overview of the different types of scholarships and requirements:

Art scholarships

These scholarships are intended for art students wishing to obtain their first Master’s degree in Switzerland.

Scholarships are available at all Swiss conservatories and art schools. They are available to applicants from only a limited number of countries.

Objective

  • The art scholarship enables selected applicants to pursue their first Master’s degree at a Swiss art school or conservatory.
  • Valid only for full-time studies in Switzerland.

Target group

  • Highly talented young artists who do not already hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
  • Priority will be given to individuals who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland (see eligibility criteria for exceptions).
  • This scholarship is available to only a limited number of countries.

Eligibility criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2026.
  • Date of birth after 31 December 1990.
  • Applicants must not yet hold a Master’s degree at the start of the scholarship.
  • Admission letter or proof of application of a Swiss University of the Arts or Music. If applicable: confirmation that the application period has not yet opened.
  • If the applicant already resides in Switzerland: date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2025 (submit a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit).

Selection criteria

  • Artistic profile, qualifications, and motivation.
  • Submitted portfolio: artistic maturity and potential.
  • Enrolment availability at the desired university.

Duration

  • 12 months
  • Extension possible up to a maximum of 21 months, depending on the chosen Master's degree programme and the required ECTS credits.
  • Start date: 1 September 2026.

Scholarship amount

  • CHF 1’920 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person.

Research scholarships: Academic supervision required

An academic supervisor at a Swiss university is required for all scholarship applications (research fellowships, PhD scholarships, postdoctoral scholarships). Each applicant must find a supervisor in Switzerland to endorse the proposed research project and write a letter of support. Scholarship applications without an academic supervisor will not be considered. This also applies to graduate schools (doctoral programmes).

It is the responsibility of each individual scholarship applicant to find a suitable academic supervisor.

Suitable supervisors: professors and laboratory group leaders. For PhD scholarships, supervisors must be authorised to supervise doctoral theses.

Before contacting a potential supervisor

Academic relevance: Check whether the academic supervisor at a Swiss higher education institution is conducting research in your desired field.

Self-assessment: Make sure that your skills and credentials meet all the requirements for the desired scientific collaboration.

Thorough research: Be precise. For example, verify the degree requirements relevant to your intended scholarship before reaching out.

Keep in mind: The search for an academic supervisor can take weeks or even months, as professors receive many enquiries.

Please note: The application for a PhD scholarship, including the letter of support from a host supervisor, and the application for admission to a doctoral programme at a Swiss higher education institution are two separate procedures.

Tips for contacting professors

Location of studies – Swiss higher education institutions

Research scholarships: PhD, Postdoctoral scholarships and research fellowships

Research scholarships: Postdoctoral scholarships and research fellowships

Art scholarships at host institutions in Switzerland:

Research scholarships: Key elements of the scholarship application

  • Complete CV including educational background, degrees, awards, positions, publications, teaching and practical experience.
  • Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages): reasons for stay in Switzerland, significance for future career and professional plans after the scholarship.
  • Research proposal : detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities. To be submitted on FCS/ESKAS form (max. 5 pages including a summary for non-specialists). The form can be downloaded in the online application.
  • Letter of support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss higher education institution.
  • Short CV (max. 2 pages) from this academic supervisor.
  • For research fellowships: short CV of the academic supervisor at the home university.
  • For PhD scholarships at graduate schools only: confirmation of admission to graduate school (see FAQ for more details).
  • E-mail addresses of two different professors in the relevant academic field must be provided during the online application. Those professors will be contacted through the application system and asked to upload a recommendation letter (FCS/ESKAS form).
  • Copies of certificates and transcripts from previous universities (if not in English, French, Italian or German, with certified translations).
  • For India: self-certification accepted.
  • FCS/ESKAS form “Fit for Mission” signed by a doctor. The form can be downloaded in the online application.
  • Copy of passport (dual citizen submit copies of both passports).
  • Copy of residence permit or of registration confirmation if already residing in Switzerland.

Art scholarships: Key elements of the scholarship application

  • Complete CV including educational background, degrees, awards, list of exhibitions, concerts, teaching and practical experience.
  • Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages): reasons for stay in Switzerland, significance for future career and professional plans after the scholarship.
  • E-mail addresses of two different professors in the relevant field must be provided during the online application. Those professors will be contacted through the application system and asked to upload a recommendation letter (FCS/ESKAS form).
  • Copies of certificates and transcripts from previous universities (if not in English, French, Italian or German, with certified translations).
  • FCS/ESKAS form “Fit for Mission” signed by a doctor. The form can be downloaded in the online application.
  • Copy of passport (dual citizen submit copies of both passports).
  • Copy of residence permit or of registration confirmation if already residing in Switzerland.
  • Art Portfolio:
    Submit a PDF document that includes:
    • in the field of music: a link (e.g. YouTube) or QR code to a high quality recording of three different styles of music. Composers submit their scores.
    • in the field of visual arts: a link or QR code to a portfolio showing three pieces of artwork together with sketches (indicating the creation date and labelled with the applicant’s first and surname and country).
    • in other artistic domains (e.g., dance, acting, writing): a link or QR code to a recording of artistic performances and creations.
  • Confirmation from the Swiss University of the Arts or Music showing that admission has already been granted or is currently under review.
  • This can also be a conditional admission, subject to an entrance examination or other specific requirements.  
    If registration at the chosen university is not yet possible, a confirmation from the Swiss university about the start date of the admission process is sufficient (e.g., an email from the university).

Scholarships: Amount and additional benefits

  • Research fellowships, PhD scholarships and art scholarships: CHF 1,920 per month to cover basic living expenses of one person.
    Please note: This scholarship is not a salary.
    No funding is provided for fieldwork and participation in conferences
  • Postdoctoral scholarship: CHF 3,500 per month to cover living expenses of one person.
    Please note: This scholarship is not a salary.
    No funding is provided for fieldwork and participation in conferences.
  • Additional benefits:
    • Health insurance: FCS covers the premiums for compulsory health insurance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries. Scholarship holders from EU/EFTA countries must cover these costs themselves.
    • One-time grant of CHF 300 for rental deposit.
    • Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
    • In addition, the coordinating body organises excursions and activities for federal scholarship holders.
    • Return flight allowance:
      Scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries receive a return flight allowance (amount determined by country of origin). This allowance may be used up to two months after expiry of the scholarship exclusively for the purpose of returning to the country of origin.
  • Costs to be paid by scholarship holders:
    • Tuition fees:
      The Federal Excellence Scholarship does not cover tuition or semester fees. In some cases, universities, universities of applied sciences or federal institutes of technology require scholarship holders to pay semester fees (approx. CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester) or reduced tuition fees. In some cases, PhD fees are not waived.
      Scholarship holders must cover these fees themselves.
    • Conferences:
      The costs of participating in international conferences are borne by the scholarship holders.
    • Field research:
      PhD scholarship holders may request to do field research for up to six months (without additional funding). All associated costs are borne by the scholarship holders.
    • Travel expenses:
      Scholarship holders from EU/EFTA countries must pay their own travel expenses.

Scholarship holder obligations

  • Place of residence:
    The scholarship requires the holder to reside in Switzerland. Scholarship holders must live in the city or canton of their Swiss host institution. They must follow FCS instructions, comply with laws applicable to foreign nationals and adhere to the regulations established by their host institution.
  • Family and children:
    The scholarship amount only covers the living expenses for one person. No family allowances are provided. The decision on whether to grant residence permits for accompanying persons is made by the federal and cantonal migration authorities. Currently, a restrictive policy is in place. Neither FCS nor Swiss higher education institutions provide any support in this regard.
  • Additional scholarships/income:
    Some universities (e.g. EPFL, ETH Zurich, University of Zurich) require additional funding from the academic supervisor. FCS must be notified if any other financial support is provided, e.g. from other scholarships, teaching and research assistant positions. The scholarship may not be used to supplement full-time employment.
  • Field research:
    Field research outside Switzerland is not permitted during research fellowships and postdoctoral scholarships.

Exclusion criteria

General exclusion criteria for all types of scholarship applications (research & art)

  • The application is incomplete or contains formal errors.
  • Multiple applications are submitted simultaneously by the same person for several host universities and/or scholarship types.
  • The applicant has been living, studying, or working in Switzerland since a date more than 13 months before the start of the scholarship
  • The applicant has already received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
  • This is the fourth application after three unsuccessful attempts.

Additional exclusion criteria for research scholarship applications (Research fellowship, PhD, PostDoc)

  • No academic supervisor in Switzerland has been indicated.
  • No letter of support from the academic supervisor in Switzerland has been provided.
  • Applications are submitted with more than one research project proposal.
  • PhD scholarships at graduate schools only:  
    The official confirmation of admission from a recognised graduate school is missing. Note: PhD applications for individual doctorates do not need a letter of admission at the time of application (see FAQ for more information).
  • Postdoctoral scholarships only:
    The academic supervisor in Switzerland has already supervised the doctoral thesis or was co-supervisor within the framework of a cotutelle de thèse.

Additional exclusion criteria for art scholarship applications

  • The applicant already holds a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) at the start of the scholarship.

Apply here

Important: Before starting the online application, please check the available scholarship types and deadlines for your country of origin.

Scholarship applications only via this link.
Please do not send emails or paper documents.

FAQ

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions from interested applicants and academic supervisors.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: FAQ for interested applicants and for academic supervisors

Available scholarship types and deadlines according the country of origin:

Survey of former scholarship holders:

ESKAS - Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

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Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026 – 2027

Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to encourage international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. Recipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS aka ESKAS).

More about «Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026 – 2027»

FAQ for interested applicants and for academic supervisors

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions from interested applicants and academic supervisors.

More about «FAQ for interested applicants and for academic supervisors»

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI

ESKAS