Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to encourage international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and partner countries. The awards are managed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) and are mainly intended for talented early-career researchers (ECRs) who have already completed a master’s degree or PhD.

Who the scholarships are for

• Early-career researchers (research fellowships, PhD and postdoctoral scholarships) from eligible countries.

• Artists: selected art scholarships are available in certain countries for candidates pursuing an initial Master’s in an artistic field.

• Eligible applicants come from a large number of partner countries (the programme is open to applicants from many countries worldwide — please confirm country eligibility and specific deadlines with the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation).

What the scholarships cover

• Research placements or study stays at Swiss institutions (cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL, or research institutes in the ETH domain).

• Award terms (duration, monthly allowances, insurance requirements, etc.) vary by scholarship type and by country.

• Note: the programme requires the applicant’s research project to be backed by a Swiss academic supervisor for research scholarships.

Key dates & application facts

• Applications open: 4 August 2025.

• Country-specific deadlines and available scholarship types vary — applicants must check the deadline and application modality that apply to their country of origin (applications are submitted via Swiss diplomatic representations or other channels designated for each country).

• Selection announcements: The FCS will communicate award decisions by the end of May at the latest for the following academic year.

• Applications are free of charge. Beware of fraudulent messages or solicitations asking for payments: genuine Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship applications do not require any payment.

Selection criteria

Applications are assessed against three main criteria:

1. Candidate profile and academic qualifications.

2. Quality and feasibility of the proposed research project or artistic work.

3. Potential for future research cooperation and synergies between Switzerland and the applicant’s country.

Types of awards (examples)

• Research fellowships (for postgraduate researchers in any discipline)

• PhD scholarships

• Postdoctoral scholarships

• Art scholarships (available in a limited number of countries for artistic Master’s studies)

How to prepare

• Identify and secure a willing Swiss academic supervisor for research projects.

• Prepare a clear research proposal or portfolio (artists).

• Gather academic transcripts, curriculum vitae, reference letters, and any country-specific documents required.

• Confirm the exact application deadline and submission route for your country well before the deadline.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Agri-web. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the official websites and portals of this opportunity for complete program details and verified application instructions. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to exercise due diligence before submitting any personal or sensitive information.