Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (FCS)

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (FCS) are prestigious awards granted annually by the Swiss Confederation to foster international exchange and cooperation in research between Switzerland and over 180 countries worldwide. Established in 1961, these scholarships are designed to support highly qualified early-career researchers and artists from abroad, enabling them to pursue advanced studies or conduct research at various Swiss universities, Federal Institutes of Technology, and Universities of Applied Sciences.

The scholarships are managed and awarded by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), also known by its German acronym ESKAS. This commission comprises professors from Swiss public universities who rigorously evaluate applications based on academic and scientific merit. Recognised as one of the top free scholarships for international study, the FCS program significantly contributes to strengthening academic ties and fostering a global network of scholars, with around 400 grants awarded each year.

Eligibility for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships is comprehensive and varies slightly by scholarship type:

• Nationalities: The scholarships are open to foreign nationals (non-Swiss) from over 180 countries. However, Art Scholarships are available only to students from a limited list of countries that have a reciprocity agreement with Switzerland.
• Academic Level:
  • Research Fellowships & PhD Scholarships: Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent, completed by July 31, 2027 (or June 30, 2027, for ETH Zurich). Research Fellowships are primarily for early-career researchers already pursuing a PhD in their home country, including young medical doctors. PhD Scholarships are for those who have completed a Master's degree and intend to pursue a full PhD in Switzerland.
  • Art Scholarships: Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, completed by July 31, 2027, and must not yet possess a Master's degree in an artistic field.
• GPA/Academic Excellence: Applicants are expected to have an excellent academic background, demonstrating professional and socially competent environments in their detailed CV.
• Age Limits: Candidates must generally be 35 years of age or younger at the time of application, meaning for the 2027/2028 academic year, born after December 31, 1991.
• Language Requirements: Proficiency in the language of instruction or research (English, German, French, or Italian) is required. Specific language requirements may also be set by the chosen university, laboratory, or graduate school.
• Field Restrictions: Research and PhD scholarships are open to all academic fields. Art scholarships are specifically for artistic fields at Swiss conservatories and universities of the arts.
• Residency: Applicants must not have resided in Switzerland for more than one year at the start of the scholarship (September 1, 2027). If already residing in Switzerland, the date of entry must not be earlier than August 1, 2026. Scholarship holders are required to reside in Switzerland for the entire duration of their grant.
• Previous Scholarship Holders: Individuals who have previously benefited from a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second one.
• Academic Supervision: All applicants for Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships must secure a formal letter of support from an academic supervisor (professor or laboratory group leader) at a Swiss higher education institution. This letter confirms their willingness to supervise the proposed research project. Art scholarship applicants need proof of admission or a confirmation of an ongoing application procedure at a Swiss art or music school.
• Important Change for 2027/2028: Postdoctoral scholarships will no longer be awarded from the 2027/2028 academic year as part of a program reform.

Recipients of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships receive a comprehensive package of benefits, although certain costs are not covered:

• Monthly Stipend: Scholarship holders receive a monthly stipend of CHF 2,450 to cover basic living expenses. It is important to note that this is a scholarship and not a salary, and it covers living expenses for one person only, with no provisions for family allowances.
• Tuition Fees: The Federal Excellence Scholarship generally does not cover tuition or semester fees. Scholarship holders may be required to pay semester fees, typically ranging from CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester, and potentially some PhD-related fees, out of their own pocket.
• Housing: A one-time lump sum of CHF 600 is provided with the first grant payment to help cover the rental deposit.
• Flights: A return flight allowance is provided for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries, with the amount determined by their country of origin. This allowance can be used up to two months after the scholarship expiry for return travel. Applicants from EU/EFTA countries are responsible for their own travel expenses.
• Insurance: The FCS covers the premiums for compulsory health insurance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries. Scholarship holders from EU/EFTA countries must arrange and cover their own health insurance costs.
• Other Perks: All scholarship holders receive a Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport. The coordinating body also organizes various excursions and activities for federal scholarship holders.
• Research Funding: The scholarship does not provide additional funding for fieldwork or participation in international conferences. While PhD scholarship holders may undertake field research for up to six months, this must be done without additional financial support. Field research outside Switzerland is not permitted for research fellowships.

The application process for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for the 2027/2028 academic year has been updated and is now entirely online:

1. Check Eligibility and Country-Specific Information: Before starting, applicants must check their specific country's requirements, available scholarship types, and deadlines on the official State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) website.
2. Create a Switch edu-ID: Applications for the 2027/2028 cycle must be submitted exclusively online via the GO ESKAS portal. An authenticated Switch edu-ID electronic identity is required to access the system.
3. Prepare and Submit Application Online: Log in to GO ESKAS, create your application, and complete the online file with all required documents.

Required Documents (for Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships):

• Complete Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detail your academic and professional background, including qualifications, distinctions, positions held, publications, teaching activities, and any other relevant experience.
• Motivation Letter: A compelling letter, no more than two pages, explaining your reasons for applying, your academic goals, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.
• Detailed Research Proposal: This is a crucial component of the application. It must be a comprehensive plan (maximum five pages, including a summary for non-specialists) submitted using the FCS/ESKAS form, outlining your research project, specifying key milestones, and providing a clear timeline.
• Letter of Support from a Swiss Academic Supervisor: A mandatory formal letter from a professor or laboratory group leader at your chosen Swiss institution, confirming their willingness to supervise your research project for its entire duration. This letter must be accompanied by the supervisor's short CV (maximum two pages). For Research Fellowships, a short CV of your academic supervisor at your home university is also required.
• Academic Transcripts and Certificates: Certified copies of all university diplomas and academic transcripts. If these documents are not in English, French, German, or Italian, certified translations must be included.
• Passport Copy: A clear copy of your valid passport.
• Proof of Residency (if applicable): If you are already residing in Switzerland, you must provide a copy of your residence permit or registration confirmation, with an entry date no earlier than August 1, 2026.
• Recommendation Letters: You will need to provide the email contact details of two different professors who will submit their recommendations directly through the online system.
• Admission Confirmation (for Graduate Schools/PhD): For PhDs at certain graduate schools, an official confirmation of admission to the doctoral program may be required at the time of application. For individual doctorates, the final PhD admission letter may not be mandatory when submitting the scholarship application, but the supervisor's letter is always essential.

Required Documents (for Art Scholarships):

• Proof that admission is under consideration at the intended Swiss art or music school (this could be a conditional acceptance or confirmation that the admission process cannot begin before the scholarship deadline).
• A portfolio suited to your specific artistic discipline.

Important Tips for Applicants:

• Finding a suitable academic supervisor in Switzerland can be a lengthy process, often taking several weeks or months, so it is advisable to start this search well in advance.
• The research proposal is considered the centerpiece of the application; dedicate significant effort to its development.
• The scholarship application and admission to a Swiss university are distinct and separate procedures.
• Be cautious of fraudulent scholarship offers. The official application process is free of charge and handled exclusively through the designated online portal and Swiss diplomatic representations.

The application timeline for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for the 2027/2028 academic year is as follows:

• Applications Open: August 20, 2026.
• Application Deadlines: These are country-specific and typically fall between September and December 2026. Applicants must consult the official SBFI website for the exact deadline pertaining to their country of origin.
• Scholarship Decisions Announced: By the end of May 2027.
• Scholarship Start Date: September 1, 2027.
• Future Cycles: Scholarships for the 2028/2029 academic year are typically advertised online starting in August 2027.

The selection process for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships is highly competitive and rigorous:

• Selection Body: Applications undergo a preliminary review by the relevant national authorities or the Swiss diplomatic representation in the applicant's home country. Following this initial screening, shortlisted applications are forwarded to the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) for final evaluation and decision-making. The FCS is composed of professors from Swiss public universities.
• Evaluation Criteria: The FCS assesses scholarship applications based on three core criteria:
  1. Candidate Profile: This includes the applicant's academic achievements, demonstrated research competence, and overall motivation for pursuing studies or research in Switzerland.
  2. Quality of the Research Project or Artistic Work: The originality, methodological rigor, and academic value of the proposed research project or artistic portfolio are critically evaluated.
  3. Synergies and Potential for Future Cooperation: The quality of the academic supervision secured in Switzerland and the potential for future scientific collaboration between Switzerland and the applicant's home country are also important factors.
• Number of Awards: Approximately 400 grants are awarded annually. The FCS operates with quotas for different geographic regions, with researchers typically receiving about 90% of the scholarships and art students receiving the remaining 10%.