Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2025 (Fully Funded)

Are you looking to pursue higher education in Switzerland? Great news! The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship program for 2025-2026 is now open for applications. In this post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about the scholarship, including its benefits and the step-by-step application process.

This fully funded scholarship is available for international students pursuing master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral studies in Switzerland. The scholarship covers a variety of expenses, such as a monthly stipend, tuition fee exemption, health insurance, airfare, and a housing allowance

Overview of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships is a highly competitive program offered by the Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) in collaboration with the Swiss government. This scholarship is open to more than 180 countries worldwide and aims to foster international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and other nations.

Scholarships are available for postgraduate researchers in various academic fields, as well as young medical professionals. It provides essential financial support to cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, airfare, and accommodation allowances.

Scholarship Levels

The program is available for the following academic levels:

• Master’s Degree
• PhD
• Postdoctoral Studies

Scholarship Benefits

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship offers comprehensive financial coverage, which includes:

• Monthly Stipend: A grant of CHF 1,920 per month to cover living expenses.
• Tuition Fee Exemption: Scholarship holders are exempted from paying university tuition fees.
• Health Insurance: Non-EU/EFTA recipients are provided with mandatory Swiss health insurance.
• Airfare: A lump-sum flight allowance for non-EU/EFTA participants to cover the cost of their return ticket.
• Housing Allowance: A one-time CHF 300 housing allowance at the start of the scholarship.
• Public Transportation Card: One-year half-fare public transportation card.
• Social & Cultural Events: Access to various cultural events, dinners, and sightseeing tours organized for scholarship holders.

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is open to:

• Postgraduate Researchers: Applicants must hold a master’s degree or its equivalent and wish to pursue research or further studies at doctoral or postdoctoral levels in Switzerland.
• Art Students: For students in the arts, scholarships are available for pursuing an initial master’s degree in specific art-related programs. However, this option is open to a limited number of countries.

Swiss Institutions Involved

Research scholarships are granted for studies at various Swiss higher education institutions, including:

• Swiss Cantonal Universities
• Universities of Applied Sciences
• Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH Zurich, EPFL Lausanne)
• Four renowned research institutes in Switzerland

Important Note: Only candidates who have secured the support of an academic mentor or professor at one of these institutions are eligible to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Language: Proficiency in English is required for most academic programs.
• Nationality: Open to applicants from all countries.
• Educational Background: Applicants must have obtained a master’s degree or equivalent before July 31, 2024.
• Age Limit: Applicants must be born after December 31, 1989.
• Residence Requirement: Candidates who have been in Switzerland for more than one year prior to the start of the scholarship in September 2025 are ineligible.
• Academic Support: A letter of support from a Swiss academic professor willing to supervise your research is mandatory. Without this, your application will not be considered.
• Research Proposal: The research proposal must be well-documented, as it forms the core of your application. Ensure that it includes a realistic time frame for your study or research plan.
• Previous Scholarship Holders: Individuals who have already received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply again.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship:

Step 1: Prepare Required Documents

• Signed Application Form: Complete and print the FCS application form.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV including academic publications and awards.
• Motivation Letter: A two-page letter explaining why you want to pursue this scholarship and how it aligns with your academic or career goals.
• Research Proposal: A comprehensive research proposal (max. 5 pages), signed and following the FCS format.
• Academic Host Letter: A letter from a Swiss academic professor confirming their willingness to supervise your research.
• Academic References: Two sealed confidential letters of recommendation from professors familiar with your academic work.
• Degree Certificates: Copies of university diplomas, grade sheets, and certifications, translated into English (if required).
• Medical Certificate: Signed medical certificate confirming your health status (using the FCS health form).
• Passport Copies: Two copies of your passport. For dual nationals, include copies of both passports. If residing in Switzerland, add a copy of your residence permit.

Step 2: Application Submission

You must submit two complete sets of your application documents:

• Set 1: Contains original signed documents, confidential letters of recommendation, and certified translations (if necessary).
• Set 2: Contains copies of the documents, except for the letters of recommendation.

Important Note: The application package must be obtained from the Swiss representation in your home country. Be sure to submit your documents in the exact order requested and avoid using plastic folders or binders.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is country-specific. Be sure to check the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships website to determine the exact deadline for your country.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information and country-specific guidelines, visit the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship website