Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2025

Applications for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for international students, researchers, and artists for the 2025-2026 academic year are now open.

Each year, the Swiss Confederation grants Excellence Scholarships to foreign students wishing to pursue a Master’s in the arts, engage in a doctoral or postdoctoral program, or conduct research in various fields in Switzerland. These scholarships aim to promote international academic exchange and strengthen cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 countries. Candidates may apply for one or more categories (Master’s, Doctorate, Postdoctorate, Research), provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

IMPORTANT: The information provided in this article applies to most countries. However, it is strongly advised to consult the specific call for applications for your country of origin to learn about any particular conditions that may apply.

For more information, please select the scholarship category that interests you:

• Master’s Excellence Scholarships
• Doctoral Scholarships
• Postdoctoral Scholarships
• Research Scholarships

The Swiss Government’s Master’s Excellence Scholarships are specifically intended for artists. They offer selected candidates the opportunity to pursue a Master’s at conservatories or art schools in Switzerland.

AMOUNT AND BENEFITS

This Excellence Scholarship provides a monthly stipend of CHF 1,920 (approximately USD 2,221) throughout the duration of the program, as well as health insurance for scholars from non-European Union countries.

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE SWISS CONFEDERATION EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS

To be eligible, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent diploma.
• Not already hold a Master’s degree.
• Be born after December 31, 1989.
• Not have resided in Switzerland for more than one year.
• Have the necessary language skills for the chosen Master’s program.
• Be a highly qualified artist, regardless of the artistic field.

ELIGIBLE UNIVERSITIES

The following institutions are eligible for the Arts Excellence Scholarships:

• University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
• Bern University of the Arts
• University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
• University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
• University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
• Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana
• Zurich University of the Arts

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

Citizens from the following countries can apply: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, South Korea, Croatia, Estonia, United States, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To apply, contact the Swiss Embassy in your country by email to obtain the application form. The documents must be written in English, French, Italian, or German. If they are not, an English translation must be provided. You will need to submit two sets of documents: an original and a copy (without confidential letters of recommendation).

Contact addresses are available for each region:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Australia
• North America
• South America

The required documents must be presented in the exact order as follows:

1. The application form, duly signed and accompanied by a photo. This form is available upon request from the Swiss Embassy in your country of origin (see links above).
2. A detailed CV, including a list of exhibitions, concerts, awards, and other relevant achievements.
3. A motivation letter (maximum two pages).
4. According to your artistic specialty:

• Musicians: A high-quality file presenting three different styles of music, if applicable, with performers and directors (USB stick or CD/DVD labeled with your name, first name, and country of origin; a link or QR-Code may also be provided). Composers must submit their scores.
• Painters, graphic designers, and sculptors: Copies or photos of three of their works, accompanied by their sketches, and the dates of creation (each work must be labeled with the name, first name, and country of origin).
• Other artists (dancers, actors, authors, etc.): Examples of their art (USB stick or CD/DVD labeled with the name, first name, and country of origin; a link or QR-Code is also accepted).

1. Proof of admission under review at the Swiss art or music school envisaged (to be obtained from the concerned Swiss university).
2. Two confidential letters of recommendation written by two different professors.
3. Photocopies of certificates and transcripts from previously attended universities or colleges, as well as diplomas with corresponding grades.
4. A signed medical certificate (to be filled out only on the FCS medical certificate form).
5. Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data).

Important: Do not insert the documents into plastic sleeves, binders, or use paperclips or staples.

Doctoral Excellence Scholarships

This program allows candidates to pursue a full-time PhD in Switzerland at one of the ten Swiss cantonal universities, the two federal institutes of technology, or the Graduate Institute. The scholarships do not cover co-tutelle PhD programs (part-time in Switzerland and part-time in another country). However, PhD students with a doctoral project in formal collaboration between two universities, under the joint supervision of two advisors, may be eligible for a 12-month research scholarship.

Doctoral Scholarship Amount

The Swiss Government Doctoral Scholarship offers a monthly stipend of CHF 1,920 (USD 2,221) for 12 months, with the possibility of extension up to 36 months depending on academic results.

Eligibility Conditions for Doctoral Scholarships

Candidates must:

• Have obtained a Master’s degree before July 31, 2025 (for ETH Zurich before June 30, 2025).
• Be born after December 31, 1989.
• Provide a letter from a host professor at the chosen Swiss university, along with a short CV.
• Present a detailed research proposal, with a precise timeline. This proposal is the central element of the application.
• Not have resided in Switzerland for more than one year before the start of the scholarship in September 2023.
• Have the necessary language skills to carry out the PhD studies or research.
• Be ready to settle in Switzerland for the entire duration of the scholarship.

Eligible Universities

The following universities can benefit from the Swiss Government Doctoral Excellence Scholarships:

• University of Basel, University of Bern, University of Fribourg, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, University of Lucerne, University of Neuchâtel, University of St. Gallen, University of Zurich, Università della Svizzera italiana
• École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Zurich (ETHZ), as well as the research institutes affiliated with the EPFs (PSI, WSL, EMPA, EAWAG)
• Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)

Eligible Countries for Doctoral Excellence Scholarships

You can consult the list of eligible countries (over 160 countries) by following this link.

Application Procedure

To apply, download the application file (ZIP, 2 MB, 31.07.2024), fill it out, then print two copies to submit to the consulate or embassy of your country.

Required languages for documents: English, French, Italian, or German. If the documents are not written in one of these languages, an English translation must be provided.

The order of documents to be submitted is as follows:

1. Signed FCS application form (available via email from the Swiss Embassy in your country of origin).
2. CV including a list of academic publications and awards.
3. Motivation letter.
4. Complete research proposal (max. 5 pages, signed).
5. Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors.
6. Photocopies of certificates and transcripts from previously attended institutions, as well as diplomas with grades, starting with the most recent. If not written in English, French, Italian, or German, certified translations must be provided. Do not submit original certificates.
7. Signed medical certificate.
8. Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data).