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ThinkSwiss Research
Scholarships: North America

Call for applications for the 2026 ThinkSwiss Scholarships will open on October 1, 2025. The deadline to submit applications is 31st January 2026.

ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships offer students studying in the United States and Canada research grants at a Swiss research institution of their choosing. The duration of the scholarship is for a minimum of two months and up to a maximum of three months at the rate of CHF 60/day to cover living expenses only. This provides scholars with an opportunity to experience the Swiss research ecosystem first-hand.

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Who Can Apply?

  • Applicants enrolled at an accredited American or Canadian university or research institute.
  • Applicants must be a graduate student or an undergraduate student who will have completed their sophomore year by the time the research stay in Switzerland begins.
  • Applicants with written confirmation from a professor at a Swiss university or research institute that they have accepted you for a research stay in their group/lab.

Please note:

  • Postdoctoral candidates are not eligible to apply.
  • Students applying to ETH Zurich must meet the prerequisites to become a “Project Mobility” student as stipulated by the university.
  • Consult our FAQs for further information.

Checklist before submitting application

  • The completed online application form
  • A research project outline (e.g. an overview of the tasks and milestones of your project that you agreed on with your host professor, max. 2 pages single-spaced, and keep in mind, your audience are educated readers but not necessarily experts in your field)
  • A letter of motivation/explanation of why you should be awarded the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, why you would make an excellent “student ambassador” in the future, and why you choose Switzerland as your research destination (please keep this within 2 pages)
  • A CV (no more than two pages)
  • A copy of your current university transcripts and diplomas (if applicable)
  • A letter of acceptance from the host professor and/or hosting institution in Switzerland (we expect this letter to highlight the relevance of your research)
  • Recommendation letter from a professor at the university you are enrolled in. The submission link for your letter will be sent automatically to the provided email address of your home professor once you submit the online application form.

Not Sure Where To Begin? Let Us Help You.

  • Think about the field in which you wish to deepen your research and look for prospective supervising professors who work in that field.
  • Write to them and enquire if they’d be interested in taking you on in their cohort. It can take several weeks to find your host professor, so we recommend starting as early as possible and writing to as many relevant professors as possible.
  • Applicants are responsible for finding a host professor at a Swiss university as well as for clarifying the scope of a research project before submitting their applications for the ThinkSwiss Scholarships.
  • If you are struggling to identify appropriate professors, reach out to faculty at the university you are currently enrolled in and enquire if they know of suitable professors you could work with. Where possible, request your faculty members to introduce and recommend you to prospective professors.

You may also refer to this video. Get an overview of Swiss universities and research institutions.

Please refer to our FAQs for further clarifications and guidance.

Hear It From Those Who've Done It

    Thanks to the ThinkSwiss program, I spent the summer in Winterthur, a city 20 minutes by train north of Zurich. I assisted research in the stability of perovskite solar cells and modules at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) School for Engineering. My coworkers were welcoming and my work on the identification of defects in solar modules felt productive. On weekends, it was easy to catch a train to the alps and embark on awe-inspiring hikes. My favorite places to visit were Lauterbrunnen and Seealpsee. On lazy or rainy weekends, I was able to easily visit several art museums, including the Kunsthaus in Zurich. This museum featured a lively collection with pieces from popular artists like Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh. As for local food, delicious cheese was available at quaint shops in the alps as well as local grocery stores. Researching renewable energy in Switzerland was an amazing experience as the country is focused on sustainability. The research I assisted was relevant and advanced. I learned so much and will bring my new knowledge of research methods, both broad and specific to my field of photovoltaic perovskite modules, into whatever careers or future schooling I pursue.

    Mia Amberger (2025) - Organic Electronics & Photovoltaics Pomona College / Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)

    In the summer of 2024, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conduct research at Campus Biotech, an architectural and intellectual marvel, in Geneva, Switzerland. During the week, I found myself contributing to cutting-edge work and discussing findings with scientists from all over the world. My lab was comprised of physicians, postdocs, and interns from all walks of life. We formed an international family of sorts. We compared notes on methodological approaches, lab culture, and career paths. Beyond the bench, we shared thoughts on the political, educational, and academic landscapes of our home countries. I received phenomenal mentorship, and everyone showed me nothing but kindness. Research in Switzerland holds scientists to high standards, encouraging trainees to think independently and tackle complex problems. Many interns and fellow ThinkSwiss members are eager to continue project collaborations and pursue further studies at their host institutions.
On weekends, I fell in love with the Swiss mountains. With friends I met through the ThinkSwiss program, we climbed through the clouds, explored the inside of glaciers, and listened to the mesmerizing toll of cowbells as we traipsed through grassy meadows. My favorite memory was plunging into the icy waters of Oeschinen Lake after a day of hiking in the Alps.

    Justine Lam (2024) - Neuroscience University of Rochester / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)
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    Dominic Houle (2025)

    Movement Biomechanics
    Vanderbilt University / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH)

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    Elizabeth Stahovich (2025)

    Infectious Diseases
    Duquesne University / University of Bern

Contact

    Olivia Gachoud, Head of Science Office - Embassy of Switzerland in the United States of America

    Students from the United States of America, for more information about the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships, kindly write to Olivia. Selected candidates will be notified by email only. Kindly note that telephonic queries are not encouraged.

    Urs Obrist, Senior Science and Technology Counsellor - Embassy of Switzerland in Canada

    Students from Canada, for more information about the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships, kindly write to Urs. Selected candidates will be notified by email only. Kindly note that telephonic queries are not encouraged.
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