Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships open for 2027–28

The Swiss government has opened applications for its Excellence Scholarships for the 2027–28 academic year, offering opportunities for international students and researchers to pursue eligible academic and research activities in Switzerland.

The programme is administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) and aims to promote international research collaboration and academic exchange. The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation publishes the scholarship information, including the categories available to applicants from different countries.

Scholarship categories

The programme includes research scholarships and PhD scholarships, as well as postdoctoral scholarships and scholarships for applicants pursuing studies in the arts, depending on the country and the applicable eligibility conditions.

Research scholarships support research projects undertaken at Swiss higher education institutions or recognised research institutes. PhD scholarships support eligible doctoral candidates, while art scholarships are intended for students pursuing an initial master's degree in an artistic field.

Not every category is available to applicants from every country. Applicants must therefore consult the country-specific information to establish which scholarships they can apply for and what conditions they must meet.

Scholarship benefits

The scholarship overview lists a monthly payment of CHF 2,450. The benefits and additional financial support depend on the applicable scholarship category and programme conditions.

Applicants should check the official scholarship information for details of the benefits, eligibility requirements and expenses covered under their chosen category.

Application process

Applications for the 2027–28 academic year opened on August 20, 2026. Prospective applicants must consult the official country-specific application information for deadlines, eligibility criteria and the required documents.

The Swiss government advises applicants to use its official scholarship website for information about the application process and available opportunities.

Application procedure for Indian researchers for 2027-28

Indian applicants can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships supporting research stays and doctoral studies in Switzerland, with funding of CHF 2,450 per month. The deadline for Indian candidates is November 10, 2026.

The Swiss government has opened applications for its Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for the 2027–28 academic year, offering eligible Indian researchers funding to pursue doctoral studies or undertake research at Swiss higher education institutions and recognised research institutes.

According to the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, the programme promotes international academic exchange and research cooperation.

The scholarships are administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), also known as ESKAS. The programme is open to applicants from 183 countries.

For Indian applicants, the official country-wise list identifies two available categories: research fellowships and PhD scholarships.

Application eligibility

The research fellowship is intended for early-career researchers pursuing a PhD outside Switzerland who wish to carry out a research project at a Swiss university or recognised research institution. Applicants must have completed a master's degree or equivalent by July 31, 2027. For ETH Zurich, the deadline for completing the degree is June 30, 2027.

Applicants must also have been born after December 31, 1991, prepare a detailed research plan and obtain a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland. The supervisor's short CV must accompany the application.

The PhD scholarship supports eligible candidates seeking to pursue doctoral studies at a Swiss university or recognised research institute. It has the same stated master's-degree completion and age requirements, alongside a research plan and support from a Swiss academic supervisor.

The scholarship can run for up to 36 months, subject to academic progress and renewal conditions. Research fellowships, by contrast, run for six to 12 months and cannot be extended. Both categories are intended for full-time research in Switzerland.

How to apply

Applicants must check the eligibility requirements and country-specific conditions before beginning the online application. The process is conducted through the official Grants Online (GO ESKAS) portal. Research applicants must identify a suitable academic supervisor in Switzerland and obtain the required supporting documents.

Applications must be submitted through the online system. The Swiss government has warned applicants about fraudulent scholarship offers and states that applying for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is free of charge. Candidates should not transfer money in response to emails or social-media messages claiming to secure an award.

The official scholarship page and country-wise application information are available on the https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-at-a-glance