2026 - 2027
Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries.
Recipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or PhD and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree.
Discover the scholarship categories available for Brazilians:
Research scholarships
The research scholarship (research fellowship, PhD, Postdoc) is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree is the minimum qualification required) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or post-doctoral level.
Research scholarships are awarded for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, the two federal institutes of technology, and the four research institutes. Only candidates nominated by an academic supervisor at one of these higher education institutions will be considered.
Options for Research fellowship, PhD scholarships, and Postdoctoral scholarship
First Steps for Your Application
First, select your region of origin according to your passport. Check the types of scholarships available, the eligibility criteria, and the application deadlines for your country:
→ North America
→ South America
→ Europe
→ Africa
→ Asia
→ Australia e Oceania
Want to know more about the key points to consider and the documents you need to submit with your application? Visit the official website for detailed information.
Below, you’ll find more details about the new application process:
Application Procedure
To make the process faster, you can now apply and submit your documents through an online form. While sending printed copies is no longer required, it is still mandatory to prepare and submit all necessary documents in digital format, including your research project, support letters, and references.
Check out the new process below:
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August 4 | Program announcement to over 180 countries
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October 27 | Final deadline to submit applications via the online form
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May 2026 | Selection process by the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS)
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September 2026 | Start of scholarships at the host Swiss academic institution
Selection
Applications undergo a preliminary review by the relevant national authorities and/or the Swiss diplomatic representation. After this stage, the shortlisted applications are evaluated by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), which makes the final decision. This commission is composed of professors from Swiss public universities, who award scholarships based on academic and scientific excellence.
The evaluation of applications focuses on three main criteria:
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Candidate profile
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Quality of the research project
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Synergies and potential for future research collaboration
Awards & Outlook
The Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) will announce its decisions on the new awardees for the 2025–2026 academic year by the end of May 2026 at the latest.
The FCS will select the scholarship recipients for the 2027–2028 academic year by the end of May 2026. Applications for the 2027–2028 scholarships will open online starting in August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn moreAccess the FAQ for essential information for prospective applicants and academic supervisors. Here, you’ll find answers to the most common questions, helping guide you through the application process for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
Are you Brazilian and have questions about the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
Feel free to send your questions to: [email protected]