The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are among the most prestigious international scholarship programs offered by the Swiss Confederation. Administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), these scholarships aim to strengthen global academic exchange, promote international research collaboration, and support highly talented students, researchers, and artists from around the world. Each year, the Swiss government offers fully funded scholarships to international applicants from more than 180 countries. The program mainly supports early career researchers and exceptionally talented artists who wish to pursue research or artistic studies in Switzerland. Switzerland is globally recognized for academic excellence, scientific innovation, and world class institutions. Through this scholarship, students gain access to advanced research environments, international networks, and high-quality education.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are designed to:
•    Encourage international research cooperation between Switzerland and other countries
•    Support highly qualified researchers and artists
•    Promote academic excellence and innovation
•    Build long term partnerships between Swiss and foreign universities
•    Enhance intercultural exchange and global collaboration 

Types of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

1.    Research Scholarships

1.1.    Research Fellowships
The Research Fellowship is intended for postgraduate researchers who wish to conduct research in Switzerland as part of their doctoral studies. The duration ranges from 6 to 12 months. 

1.2.    PhD Scholarships
This scholarship supports international students pursuing a PhD at a Swiss university or research institution. The minimum duration is 12 months and is renewable twice for up to 36 months based on academic progress.

2. Art Scholarship
The Art Scholarship supports talented international artists who want to pursue their first Master’s degree in an artistic field at Swiss universities. The minimum duration is 12 months and can be extended up to 21 months depending selected program and required ECTS credits.

SCHOLARSHIP COVERAGE

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships generally provides comprehensive financial support for international students for the whole course duration. 
1.    Monthly living allowance of CHF 2,450
2.    Health insurance coverage for non-EU/EFTA students
3.    One time housing allowance of CHF 600
4.    Half Fare Travelcard for Swiss public transportation
5.    Return flight allowance for non-EU/EFTA students
NOTE: Tuition fees are not covered by Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Tuition fees vary depending on the university. Generally, universities charge tuition fees CHF (600 – 2,000)/semester. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Although requirements vary by university and program, applicants generally must meet the following requirements.
1.    Be a citizen of an eligible country, be in good physical and mental health, and have no any criminal record.
2.    Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the university of preference in terms of academic ability, research competency, and among others.
3.    Hold a completed Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification for Arts Scholarships.
4.    Hold a Master’s degree for Research Scholarship (Research Fellowships & PhD Scholarships)
5.    Applicants must have a strong academic background and scientific & innovative abilities for Research Scholarship and artistic portfolio for Arts Scholarship.
6.    Obtain support from a Swiss academic supervisor for research-based scholarships
7.    Show motivation for international collaboration and future academic contribution 
8.    Applicants for English-taught programs shall provide English language proficiency certificates according to the universities’ requirements, like IELTS or TOFEL report. 
9.    Typical age limit is 35 years maximum for both Research Scholarship and Arts Scholarship.  

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR MASTER & PHD APPLICATION

A.    For Research Scholarship (Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship)
1.    Application Form for preferred university and Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships official portal (GO ESKAS).
2.    Applicants are required to submit a clear scanned copy of the information page of their ordinary passports. In case of dual citizen, must submit copies of both passports. 
3.    If currently residing in Switzerland, must submit the residence permit or registration confirmation. 
4.    Scan copies of academic certificates and transcripts from previous universities. If these documents are in English, Italian, German, or French, these documents can be directly submitted. If in any other languages, they must be translated by certified translators. 
5.    Complete Curricular Vitae – CV including educational and professional backgrounds, awards, positions and publications. 
6.    Letter of motivations (max. 2 pages) stating the reasons for stay in Switzerland, and significance for professional career and goals after completion of the scholarship program. 
7.    Research Proposal (max. 5 pages) with detail research plan required to be submitted on Federal Commission for Scholarship for Foreign Students (FCS)/ESKAS form that can be downloaded in the online application. 
8.    Letter of support from an academic supervisor at your preferred Swiss university and also a short CV (max. 2 pages) of the same supervisor. 
9.    Research Fellowship applicants are required to provide a short CV of the academic supervisor at home university from where they graduated. Likewise, PhD Scholarship applicants are required to provide official proof that they have been admitted to the graduate school. 
10.    Applicants must provide the email addresses of two professors in the relevant academic field during online application and the FCS/ESKAS system contacts those professors, asking them to upload a recommendation letter.  

B. For Arts Scholarship (Master’s Degree)
1.    Application Form for preferred university and Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships official portal (GO ESKAS). 
2.    Applicants are required to submit a clear scanned copy of the information page of their ordinary passports. In case of dual citizen, must submit copies of both passports. 
3.    If currently residing in Switzerland, must submit the residence permit or registration confirmation. 
4.    Scan copies of academic certificates and transcripts from previous universities. If these documents are in English, Italian, German, or French, these documents can be directly submitted. If in any other languages, they must be translated by certified translators. 
5.    Complete Curricular Vitae – CV including educational and professional backgrounds, awards, positions and publications. 
6.    Letter of motivations (max. 2 pages) stating the reasons for stay in Switzerland, and significance for professional career and goals after completion of the scholarship program. 
7.    Applicants need to submit PDF document of art portfolio that includes in the field of music, visual arts, or in other artistic domains. 
8.    Applicants are required to provide official confirmation from the Swiss University of the Arts or Music showing that they have been granted or is currently under review. 
9.    Applicants must provide the email addresses of two professors in the relevant academic field during online application and the FCS/ESKAS system contacts those professors, asking them to upload a recommendation letter.  

OFFICIAL SITE: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships