Swiss Confederation Excellence Scholarships 2026

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are now open for the 2026–2027 academic year. This prestigious scholarship, established by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), offers a unique opportunity to young international researchers and artists.

Whether for a Master’s, a PhD, a postdoctoral fellowship, a research project, or an artistic program, this scholarship enables recipients to develop their work in Switzerland, in collaboration with a recognized university or artistic institution.

The official timeline specifies that applications will open on August 4, 2025, exclusively through SERI channels and in accordance with the procedures specific to each partner country. The application deadline varies by country.

Amount and Benefits of the Swiss Government Scholarship

Monthly Allowance

• Research, PhD, Arts: CHF 1,920 per month (intended to cover the basic living expenses of a single student or researcher).
• Postdoctoral: CHF 3,500 per month (intended to cover the basic living expenses of a single postdoctoral researcher).

Health Insurance

• Covered by the scholarship for non-EU/EFTA grantees.
• Beneficiaries from the EU/EFTA must arrange their own health insurance.

1. Housing Support: One-time contribution of CHF 300 to help with rental deposit upon arrival.
2. Transportation: One-year Swiss Half-Fare Travelcard, allowing discounted travel on Swiss public transport networks.
3. Return Flight: Lump-sum compensation for non-EU/EFTA beneficiaries at the end of the scholarship, covering the return ticket.
4. Financial Restrictions: No funding is provided for fieldwork or participation in conferences.

Important: Certain additional benefits, such as tuition fee waivers, depend directly on the host institution. Applicants must therefore consult both the country-specific fact sheet and the guidelines of the chosen university or institute.

Duration of the Swiss Government Scholarship

• Research: Awarded for 12 months.
• PhD: Granted for up to 36 months, renewable in 12-month increments.
• Postdoctoral: Limited to 12 months, non-renewable.
• Arts (Master’s in Swiss Art Schools): Valid for up to 21 months, depending on program length.

Eligibility Criteria for the Swiss Government Scholarship

Academic Supervision (essential requirement)

• Research, PhD, Postdoctoral: Written confirmation from a Swiss host professor willing to supervise the project is mandatory.
• Arts: Prior admission to a Swiss university of arts is required.

Required Degrees

• Research / PhD: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) before the scholarship start date.
• Postdoctoral: Applicants must have recently completed their PhD (the eligibility window varies by country fact sheet).

Language Proficiency: Candidates must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English, German, French, or Italian, depending on the host institution.

Other Specific Conditions

• Restrictions may apply regarding age, length of previous stays in Switzerland, or other special criteria.
• These conditions differ by country of origin and type of scholarship; consulting the official country fact sheet is therefore essential.

Eligible Countries for the Swiss Government Scholarship

The 2026–2027 Excellence Scholarships Program is open to applicants from over 180 countries worldwide for Research, PhD, and Postdoctoral scholarships.
Scholarships in Arts are restricted to students from countries with a specific reciprocity agreement with Switzerland in the field of arts education.

Note: The detailed list of eligible countries and specific conditions are published annually in the country fact sheet by SERI.

Application Procedure for the Swiss Government Scholarship

1. Choose the Type of Scholarship: Determine whether you are applying for a Research, PhD, Postdoctoral, or Arts scholarship and check your eligibility.

2. Consult the Country Fact Sheet: Visit the official SERI website to identify available scholarships for your country, the application timeline, precise criteria, and the list of required documents.

3. Obtain Academic Supervision

• Research, PhD, Postdoctoral: A letter of acceptance from a Swiss host professor is mandatory.
• Arts: Prior admission to a Swiss art school is required.

1. Prepare the Application Dossier
   Include:

• Detailed research project or portfolio (depending on scholarship type)
• Academic CV
• Degrees and transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Passport copy
• Language certificate
• Any other documents listed in the country fact sheet

1. Submit the Application Online

• Starting from 2025, applications are accepted only through SERI’s electronic portal.
• Applications sent by email or paper will not be accepted.
• While some embassies may provide practical information, applicants must strictly follow the official SERI guidelines.

Swiss Government Scholarship Timeline (2026–2027)

• Opening of Calls: From August 4, 2025, official country fact sheets and instructions will be published online.

• Application Deadline: Varies by country, generally between October 27 and December 12, 2025 (e.g., November 14, 2025, for Tanzania).
  → Always verify the exact deadline for your country in the official fact sheet (PDF).
• Results: Expected publication around May 2026, following selection by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).
• Scholarships Begin: September 1, 2026.

Contact & Official Information

Program email (ESKAS/FCS): sgs@sbfi.admin.ch

Quick Tips to Maximize Your Chances

• Plan Early: Securing a host professor or art school admission may take weeks or months. Start your process as soon as possible.

• Ensure Academic Coherence: Submit a clear, realistic project aligned with the host institution’s priorities. Strong recommendation letters greatly strengthen your application.

Strictly Follow the Country Fact Sheet: Required formats, scanned documents, file naming conventions—every detail matters. Non-compliance may result in automatic rejection.

Oficial website

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