The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for the 2027-2028 academic year are given to (a) young researchers from abroad who have completed a Master’s degree who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at doctoral level, and (b) to foreign artists holding a Bachelor’s degree wishing to pursue an initial Master’s degree in Switzerland. Applicants must find a host institution as well as a supervisor at the respective institution willing to support and supervise their scholarship research project.

A short summary of the two types of scholarships for Japanese researchers and artists is listed below:

1. Research Scholarships (Research Fellowship or PhD scholarship)

• Eligibility: post-graduate researchers who hold a Master’s degree as a minimum who wish to pursue research or further studies at doctoral level (Research Fellowship or PhD)
• Research fields: the call is open to all disciplines
• Host Institutions: all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, the two federal institutes of technology (ETH Zurich, EPFL) as well as the four research institutes (PSI, WSL, EMPA, EAWAG) are eligible for hosting
• Duration: 12 months, September 2027 to August 2028 (PhD scholarships prolongable up to 36 months; Research Fellowship scholarships are not prolongable)
• Grants:
  • Research scholarship: 2’450.- Swiss Francs per month = 29’400.- CHF for 1 year
    PhD scholarship: 2’450.- Swiss Francs per month = 29’400.- CHF for 1 year

2.Art Scholarship

• Eligibility: art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial master’s degree in Switzerland (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent already achieved)
• Invalid: all applications for a second master’s degree
• Research fields: art related courses offered by eligible host institutions
• Host Institutions: any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts are eligible for hosting
• Duration: 12 months, September 2027 to August 2028 (prolongable up to 21 months)
• Grants:
  • Arts scholarship: 2’450.- Swiss Francs per month = 29’400.- CHF for 1 year

The deadline for applications by Japanese nationals for both types of scholarship is on 30 November, 2026. Please visit the following websites for further information on the guidelines and application procedures etc.

• State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation SERI
• Japan Student Services Organization JASSO (日本語)

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