Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Host Country: Switzerland

Host Institutions

Swiss public universities, Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH Zurich/EPFL), and Research institutions.

Scholarship Type:

Fully funded (research/PhD/Postdoc/Arts). 

Scheme & Description

Purpose: Supports highly qualified international students/researchers for postgraduate studies or research in Switzerland.

Target Groups

Research Fellowships: PhD/postdoctoral researchers. 

Art Scholarships: Master’s students in arts fields (e.g., music, fine arts). 

Duration

Research: 12 months (extendable to 24). 

PhD: 3 years. 

Arts: 1-year Master’s programs.

Coverage (Financial Benefits)

Monthly Stipend

PhD: 1,920 CHF/month. 

Postdoc: 3,500 CHF/month. 

Additional Support

Tuition fee waiver (universities may charge small fees). 

Health insurance, housing allowance, and travel grants. 

Family allowances (for accompanied spouses/children). 

Programs & Fields

All academic fields (priority given to STEM, sustainability, and Swiss strengths like hospitality/engineering). 

Arts: Limited to selected Swiss conservatories/art schools. 

Institutions: ETH Zurich, EPFL, University of Geneva, University of Zurich, etc. 

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Excellence: Master’s degree (for PhD) or PhD (for Postdoc) with outstanding grades. 

Research Proposal: Required for research applicants (must align with Swiss host institution). 

Nationality: Open to 180+ countries (country-specific quotas apply; check official list). 

Age Limit: Typically, ≤35 for PhD, ≤45 for Postdoc. 

Language: Proficiency in English/German/French (depending on program). 

How to Apply

Find a Host Institution: Secure acceptance/admission from a Swiss supervisor/university. 

Submit via Embassy Applications are processed through Swiss embassies (not directly to universities). 

Required Documents

CV, research proposals academic transcripts, recommendation letters, acceptance letter from Swiss host. 

Arts applicants: Portfolio/audition recordings. 

Interview: Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed by the embassy. 

Deadline

Varies by country 

Key Tip: Contact the Swiss embassy in your home country for exact deadlines (some countries have earlier cutoffs). 

Why This Matters for Varsity Scholars Consult?

Competitive Edge: Ideal for high-achieving students targeting Swiss academia/research. 

Post-Scholarship Opportunities Pathway to Swiss work permits/networking. 

Official Link

Apply through Us

Actionable Advice

Start early (host institution acceptance takes time). 

Tailor research proposals to Swiss faculty expertise. 

Highlight prior publications/practical experience in applications.