Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026–2027: Fully Funded Research and Art Scholarships in Switzerland
Overview
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for 2026-2027 let international researchers and artists pursue advanced academic or artistic work in Switzerland. They are funded by the Swiss Confederation and administered through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS), and are open to applicants from 183 countries. The aim is to promote academic exchange and research collaboration between Switzerland and the rest of the world.
Scholars can work at Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL and research institutes within the ETH Domain. Categories include research scholarships, PhD scholarships, postdoctoral scholarships and art scholarships. Research awards are for postgraduate researchers with a project backed by a Swiss academic supervisor. Postdoctoral awards are for researchers who have finished their doctorate. Art scholarships are for students seeking a first master's degree in an artistic field at Swiss conservatories and art schools, and are open only to applicants from a limited number of eligible countries.
What you get
The main researcher scholarship category lists funding of CHF 2,450 per month. Other provisions, such as insurance and travel arrangements, depend on the scholarship type and circumstances, and are set out in the official guidelines.
Who can apply
Research applicants generally need a master's degree or equivalent completed before the relevant deadline, plus strong academic or research potential, a research proposal and a letter from a Swiss academic host professor. Other conditions can cover age, language, citizenship and host institution, and they vary by category and country.
How to apply
The process is country-specific. Applicants identify their country's eligible categories, choose a Swiss institution, find a supervisor where required, prepare a research or artistic proposal and academic documents, and submit through the designated national channel, generally via Swiss diplomatic representations in their country.
Key dates
There is no single worldwide deadline. Deadlines vary by country of origin.
Links in this posting
- Art scholarships are intended for students seeking their first master’s degree in an artistic field in Switzerland. They can be used at Swiss conservatories and art schools, but are available only to applicants from a limited number of eligible countries. (SERI)
- For the current programme, the Swiss Federal education authority lists a funding level of CHF 2,450 per month for the main researcher scholarship category. (SERI)
- Scholarship Offers and Country Information: SwissUniversities Scholarship Offers