Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026-27

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are awarded annually by the Swiss Confederation to foster international exchange and research cooperation. These scholarships are designed for talented early career researchers and artists from over 180 countries, including Ethiopia, who wish to pursue their Master's (Arts only), PhD, or Post-Doc studies in Switzerland. The program aims to enhance Switzerland's international reputation in research, education, and innovation, and strengthen ties with other countries.

Recipients of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships will receive a monthly stipend to help cover living expenses during their study or research period in Switzerland. The scholarship is considered partially funded. The application process itself does not involve any processing fee.

* **Nationality:** Applicants must be nationals of countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Switzerland. Ethiopian students are eligible. * **Residency:** Students residing in Switzerland for over a year are not eligible. * **Previous Awards:** Applicants who have previously received any other Swiss Government grant are ineligible. * **Academic Level:** * **PhD and Post-Doc:** Applicants must possess a Master's degree equivalent to a Swiss graduate degree. * **Master's (Arts):** International students applying for the Master's program in arts should hold a Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swiss Bachelor's degree. This scholarship type is available to students from a limited number of countries only; applicants should confirm their country's eligibility. * **Research Scholarships:** Applicants must secure an acceptance letter from a professor at a Swiss university who is willing to direct and guide their proposed research.

The application typically requires: * A signed FCS application form. * Two copies of the applicant’s passport. * A CV including a list of academic publications and awards. * A motivation letter (maximum two pages). * A complete research proposal (maximum five pages) for research scholarships. * A short CV of an academic mentor from the home institution. * Two confidential letters of recommendation. * Photocopies of grade sheets and certificates (in English, German, French, or Italian). * A signed medical certificate. * A copy of the letter from the host professor confirming their willingness to support and supervise the research (for research scholarships). * Two sets of documents: one set of original signed documents (including recommendation letters) and a second copy set (excluding recommendation letters). * All required documents must be in English or officially translated into English, German, French, or Italian.

Applicants must submit separate applications to their desired Swiss universities and to the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). It is the applicant's responsibility to find a supervisor from a Swiss university for research programs. Applicants should provide a comprehensive profile and present their research project or artistic work as part of the application. Ensure all instructions on the official website are followed carefully. The application process is free of charge.

The submission deadlines for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships vary depending on the applicant's country of origin, typically falling between September and December. The results are usually announced by the end of May 2026. Be aware of warnings against fake scholarship offers; the official application is always free. Art scholarships are only available for a limited number of countries.