Swiss Government Scholarships for Excellent Students (Fully Funded)

Grab the chance to study in Switzerland with a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2024-2025.

The scholarship provides full funding to International students dreaming of studying in Switzerland.

The level of study the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship supports are master’s, post-doctorate, and doctorate studies.

Selected applicants will enjoy monthly allowances, full tuition fee payments, accommodation costs, health insurance, and air transport costs.

The two main institutions that combine to facilitate the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are the Swiss Government and the Federal Commission of Scholarships.

Applicants are selected from over 180 countries. Young medical practitioners and experienced researchers qualify for grants.

There is also a research scholarship for students applying for doctoral or post-doctoral research studies.

Swiss Government Scholarships Breakdown:

• Deadline: Varies by nation. Check the list of application deadlines HERE.
• Host Universities: Swiss Government institution(s)
• Areas of Opportunity Concentration: View the categories below.
• Study Levels: Postdoctoral, PhD, and Masters
• Program Length: Varies according to the degree selected.
• Study in the Swiss Confederation

Swiss Government Scholarships Benefits:

• Extra housing allowance of CHF 300 (paid once at the start of the scholarship).
• A half-fare public transport card is valid for a year.
• The monthly payment from the scholarship is CHF 1,920.
• A range of social services, including dinners, excursions, and guided tours, are provided to recipients of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
• For exact scholarship benefits, please refer to the fact sheets that are particular to each nation.
• The Swiss Government Scholarships cover the cost of mandatory Swiss health insurance.
• There are no concessions for families.
• Recipients of scholarships from non-EU and non-EFTA nations are given a lump sum flight allowance (for a return ticket) after the scholarship program.

Swiss Government Scholarships Types:

• Scholarships in the arts are given to students enrolled in any Swiss university or conservatorium. Only students from select nations are eligible for this grant.
• Post-graduate researchers in any field (a master’s degree is required) who want to travel to Switzerland to conduct doctoral or post-doctoral research or additional study are eligible for the research fellowship.
• All Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, the two federal institutes of technology, and the four research institutes offer research scholarships for study or research. Only applicants who a mentor in the academic program has recommended at one of these universities will be taken into consideration.
• Art students who want to study in Switzerland for their first master’s degree are eligible for art scholarships.

Swiss Government Scholarships Qualification:

A master’s degree or an equivalent degree from an institution that was earned before July 31, 2024, as verified by the Swiss university (degree certificate). Before the scholarship period begins, the degree must be sent as verification to the Federal Commission for Scholarships.

Candidates must have been born after December 31, 1989.

Those who began the scholarship program in September and have lived in Switzerland for more than a year are ineligible.

English is the language that is required.

A letter from an academic host professor at the selected Swiss university, along with a brief curriculum vitae, is required of applicants to indicate the professor’s willingness to oversee and support the research. Should this support be lacking, the application will be denied.

All nations across the world are eligible.

Candidates must submit a research project with a timeline.

Candidates must possess the language proficiency needed for the research/studies.

Candidates are not permitted to apply for a second scholarship if they have previously received funding from the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.

It is expected that scholarship recipients relocate to Switzerland for the duration of their stipend.

How to Apply for Swiss Government Scholarships?

Follow the guidelines below to apply for the Swiss Government Scholarships:

• Gather the following documents:

Filled out, printed, and signed FCS application form

A complete resume including a list of prizes and publications in academia

A two-page maximum motivation letter.

A comprehensive study proposal (no more than five pages), signed, and solely utilizing the FCS research proposal

A copy of the letter from the academic host professor at the selected Swiss university, outlining the reasons for her/his willingness to oversee and support the research and containing a brief curriculum vitae.

A brief resume of the home institution’s academic mentor.

Two private recommendation letters from two distinct instructors in the applicant’s field (originals in sealed envelopes only for the first set; use only the FCS reference form). No second set copies.

Copies of diplomas with grades, beginning with the most recent, plus certificates and grade reports from previously attended colleges and universities. If not, attested, validated translations into English should be provided in French, Italian, German, or English. Remit the copies of the certificates instead.

Medical certificate signed (please use the FCS health certificate form only).

Two copies of the passport (the page containing the applicant’s personal information on it). A copy of both passports is added for dual nationalities. Applicants who were in Switzerland at the time of the application process should include a copy of their Swiss residency permit.

• The Embassy of your country can receive the application package on your behalf:
  • Kindly send two sets of application materials (one original and one copy) in the precise order specified below:
    • The first set includes the secret letters of recommendation, the original, signed documents, and, if necessary, the verified English translations.
    • Save for the private letters of recommendation (which are exclusive to the first set), the second set is a duplicate of the first. No second set copies.