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.

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, more information HERE.

Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial arts master’s degree in Switzerland.

Art scholarships are awarded for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts. This scholarship is available to students from a limited number of countries only.

Abbreviated summary for Art scholarships HERE.

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Submission deadline at Swiss representation

This date and the postal address vary from country to country —– September – December

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Selection

By the Federal Commission for Scholarships FCS —– by the end of May

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Start of scholarships

At the Swiss academic host institution —– next September

Select your country of origin according to your passport. Find out about the types of scholarships available, eligibility criteria and application deadlines for your country. For more information and questions, please contact the address provided in the list of contacts (PDF, 299 kB, 31.07.2024).

Select your country of origin according to your passport (PDF, 299 kB, 31.07.2024)

The FCS will announce its decisions regarding the new scholarship awards by the end of May at the latest.

The FCS will select scholarship holders for the 2025-26 academic year by the end of May 2025. Scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year will be advertised online from August 2025.