The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 are official scholarships offered by the Swiss Confederation to support talented international researchers and, for applicants from selected countries, artists who want to study or conduct research in Switzerland. The programme is administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) and is currently open to applicants from 183 countries.
Applications for the 2027–28 scholarship cycle open on 20 August 2026. However, there is no single deadline for every applicant. The available scholarship types and application deadlines depend on the applicant’s country of origin.
For applicants from Pakistan, the official Swiss country list gives 29 September 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time as the deadline. Pakistani applicants can apply for the Research Fellowship and PhD scholarship categories.
The scholarship provides CHF 2,450 per month for basic living expenses. It is important to note that the programme should not automatically be described as a fully funded scholarship covering every university expense, because study and semester fees are not universally covered.
2027–28 applications open: 20 August 2026
Pakistan deadline: 29 September 2026
Monthly scholarship: CHF 2,450
Eligible countries: 183
Main categories: Research Fellowship, PhD, and Art Scholarship for selected countries
Postdoctoral scholarship: Not available from 2027–28
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 Overview
| Detail | Official Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Academic year | 2027–28 |
| Administered by | Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) |
| Eligible countries | 183 |
| Applications open | 20 August 2026 |
| Application system | Grants Online (GO ESKAS) |
| Main target group | International early-career researchers |
| Research Fellowship | Yes |
| PhD Scholarship | Yes |
| Art Scholarship | Yes, selected countries |
| Postdoctoral Scholarship | Not available from 2027–28 |
| Monthly amount | CHF 2,450 |
| Research Fellowship duration | 6–12 months |
| PhD Scholarship duration | 12 months initially, renewable up to 36 months |
| Art Scholarship duration | 12 months, potentially up to 21 months |
| Scholarship start | 1 September 2027 |
| Pakistan deadline | 29 September 2026 |
| Application fee | Free |
The Swiss government confirms that applications open on 20 August 2026 and that the scholarship programme is currently available to applicants from 183 countries.
What Are the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are scholarships of the Swiss Confederation designed to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and other countries.
The programme is primarily aimed at talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a Master’s degree. Depending on the applicant’s country, research and doctoral opportunities may be available. Art scholarships are available only to applicants from a limited number of countries.
Recipients are selected by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS).
Who Administers the Scholarship?
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students evaluates applications and makes scholarship recommendations.
Applications are submitted through the Swiss diplomatic representation according to the applicable country-specific procedure, while the FCS conducts the scholarship selection.
When Do Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Applications Open?
Applications for the 2027–28 cycle open on:
20 August 2026
The official Swiss government scholarship page confirms this opening date.
Is There One Universal Deadline?
No.
Applicants must use the deadline specified for their country of origin and scholarship type.
The Swiss government publishes a country-by-country list showing which scholarship categories are available and the applicable deadline.
This means an applicant should never copy the deadline published for another country.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Deadline for Pakistan
For Pakistani applicants, the official Swiss government country list states:
Opening date: 20 August 2026
Deadline: 29 September 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time
The available categories for Pakistan are:
- Research Fellowship
- PhD
The official contact listed for Pakistan is the Embassy of Switzerland in Pakistan in Islamabad.
Pakistan Contact
Email: islamabad.scholarships@eda.admin.ch
Telephone: +92 51 209 88 00
Applicants should use the official Swiss Embassy and Swiss government information for any country-specific questions.
Who Can Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
The scholarship is primarily intended for talented international researchers who have completed a Master’s degree.
The exact eligibility requirements depend on the scholarship category and the applicant’s country.
The main categories are:
- Research Fellowship
- PhD Scholarship
- Art Scholarship
The Art Scholarship is available only to applicants from selected countries.
Are Bachelor’s Students Eligible?
No general Bachelor’s scholarship is offered through this programme.
The programme primarily targets postgraduate researchers, while the Art Scholarship supports eligible artists pursuing their first Master’s degree in an artistic field.
Are Ordinary Master’s Students Eligible?
There is no general research Master’s scholarship under the programme.
The Master’s-level opportunity is the Art Scholarship, which is limited to applicants from selected countries and is specifically intended for an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field.
Can PhD Applicants Apply to Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships ?
Yes.
The PhD Scholarship is one of the main research scholarship categories. Applicants must meet the academic, age, research and country-specific requirements.
Research Fellowship 2027–28
The Research Fellowship is intended for postgraduate researchers from abroad who want to conduct research at an eligible Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Applicants can come from different academic disciplines, subject to the relevant country-specific requirements.
Research Fellowship Eligibility
The official Swiss information states that applicants must have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent.
For the 2027–28 cycle, applicants must generally have been born after 31 December 1991.
Applicants must also submit:
- A detailed research plan
- A research timeline
- A letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor
- A short CV from the supervisor
- Required academic documents and other application materials.
Research Fellowship Duration
The Research Fellowship lasts:
6 to 12 months
The scholarship starts on:
1 September 2027
The official information states that the Research Fellowship has a maximum duration of 12 months and cannot be extended.
Research Fellowship Funding
Research Fellowship recipients receive:
CHF 2,450 per month
The Swiss government describes this amount as support for basic living expenses for one person. It is not a salary.
PhD Scholarship 2027–28 among Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The PhD Scholarship supports international researchers who want to pursue doctoral studies at an eligible Swiss institution.
Applicants must meet the programme’s academic, age, research, supervisor and country-specific requirements.
PhD Scholarship Eligibility
Applicants generally need to have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent by the relevant deadline.
For the 2027–28 cycle, the general age requirement listed by the Swiss government is that applicants must have been born after 31 December 1991.
A detailed research plan and support from a Swiss academic supervisor are required.
PhD Scholarship Duration
The initial scholarship duration is:
12 months
It can be renewed twice, giving a maximum duration of:
36 months
Renewal is subject to satisfactory academic progress during the initial scholarship period.
PhD Scholarship Funding
PhD scholarship recipients receive:
CHF 2,450 per month
The scholarship begins on 1 September 2027.
Art Scholarship 2027–28 | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Art Scholarship is a separate category intended for talented international artists who want to pursue their first Master’s degree in Switzerland in an artistic field.
This scholarship is available only to applicants from a limited number of countries.
Art Scholarship Eligibility
Applicants generally need:
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Eligibility for their intended Swiss arts or music institution
- The required artistic qualifications
- An admission letter or proof of application
- An artistic portfolio
- Eligibility under their country’s scholarship arrangements.
Art Scholarship Duration
The scholarship is initially awarded for:
12 months
It can potentially be extended to a maximum of:
21 months
The possibility of extension depends on the selected Master’s programme and the required ECTS credits.
Art Scholarship Funding
The scholarship provides:
CHF 2,450 per month
for basic living expenses.
Postdoctoral Scholarships Are Not Available among Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28
Applicants should be careful when reading older Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship articles.
Postdoctoral scholarships will no longer be awarded from the 2027–28 academic year.
The Swiss Federal Council changed the scholarship regulations in November 2025. The monthly scholarship amount was increased to CHF 2,450 from January 2026, while the number of scholarships was reduced to keep the overall cost of the programme under control.
Why Were Postdoctoral Scholarships Discontinued?
The Swiss government increased the monthly scholarship contribution from CHF 1,920 to:
CHF 2,450
from 1 January 2026.
To implement the increase without increasing overall programme costs, Switzerland reduced the number of funded scholarship places and discontinued postdoctoral scholarships from the 2027–28 academic year.
The government states that the number of funded scholarship places will be reduced from around 350 to between 200 and 250 new and ongoing scholarships per year.
Therefore, older information claiming that the 2027–28 programme offers 350 scholarships or postdoctoral scholarships should not be used.
How Much Is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
The current scholarship contribution is:
CHF 2,450 per month
The amount is intended to cover basic living expenses for one person. The Swiss government explicitly states that the scholarship is not a salary.
Is CHF 2,450 Paid for the Entire Degree?
Not necessarily.
The duration depends on the scholarship category.
| Scholarship | Duration |
|---|---|
| Research Fellowship | 6–12 months |
| PhD Scholarship | 12 months initially, renewable up to 36 months |
| Art Scholarship | 12 months, potentially up to 21 months |
Is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Fully Funded?
It should not be described as an all-expenses-paid scholarship.
The scholarship provides a monthly living allowance of CHF 2,450 and additional benefits, but the official information does not state that all tuition and academic fees are universally covered.
Applicants should budget for any fees that remain their responsibility.
What Additional Benefits Are Available in Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships ?
The official Swiss information lists several additional benefits.
For scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries, the FCS covers premiums for compulsory health insurance.
The programme also provides:
- A one-time CHF 600 housing/rental deposit allowance
- A Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
- Organised excursions and activities for federal scholarship holders
- A return-flight allowance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries, with the amount determined by country of origin.
Does the Scholarship Cover Fieldwork?
The official information states:
No funding is provided for fieldwork and participation in conferences.
Applicants conducting research that requires substantial fieldwork should take this limitation into account when preparing their financial plans.
Do Applicants Need a Swiss Academic Supervisor?
Yes, for Research Fellowship and PhD applications.
Applicants must find an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to support and guide their proposed research project.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships explicitly states that applications without an academic supervisor will not be considered for the relevant research scholarships.
Who Can Be a Supervisor?
Suitable supervisors include:
- Professors
- Laboratory group leaders
- Academics authorised to supervise doctoral theses for PhD applicants.
Applicants are responsible for finding an appropriate supervisor.
When Should Applicants Contact Supervisors?
Applicants should start this process early.
The Swiss government warns that finding a suitable academic supervisor can take weeks or even months because Swiss professors receive many requests.
Waiting until shortly before the deadline can therefore make the application considerably more difficult.
Is University Admission the Same as Scholarship Approval for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships ?
No.
Admission to a Swiss university and selection for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are separate processes.
Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of their intended institution as well as the scholarship requirements.
For doctoral applicants, the exact admission documentation required can depend on whether they are applying to a regular individual PhD or a specific doctoral school.
Where Can Scholarship Holders Study?
Research scholarship holders can conduct research at eligible Swiss higher-education and research institutions.
The official scholarship information includes:
- Swiss cantonal universities
- Universities of applied sciences
- ETH Zurich
- EPFL
- Research institutes within the ETH Domain.
The exact institution and programme must be compatible with the relevant scholarship category.
What Documents Are Required for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships ?
The exact document list varies by scholarship type and country.
Research and PhD applicants should expect to prepare documents such as:
- Curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter
- Research proposal
- Research timeline
- Academic degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Passport copy
- Swiss academic supervisor’s support letter
- Supervisor’s short CV
- Other country-specific documents.
Research Proposal
The research proposal is one of the most important parts of a research scholarship application.
It should clearly explain the proposed research project and its objectives, methodology, significance and timeline.
The official Swiss information specifies a maximum of five pages including a summary for non-specialists for the research plan.
Motivation Letter
The motivation letter should explain why the applicant wants to conduct the proposed study or research in Switzerland and how the opportunity fits their academic and professional plans.
Applicants should avoid submitting a generic motivation letter that does not clearly connect their research goals with Switzerland.
How to Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Step 1: Check Your Country
First, confirm that your country is eligible and determine which scholarship types are available.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships currently lists 183 countries in the programme.
Step 2: Check Your Country-Specific Deadline
Do not use a universal deadline.
The official Swiss country list provides the relevant deadline and scholarship categories for each country.
Step 3: Choose a Suitable Swiss Institution
Identify a Swiss university, research institution or arts institution that fits your intended scholarship category.
Step 4: Find a Swiss Academic Supervisor
Research Fellowship and PhD applicants must identify an appropriate Swiss academic supervisor and obtain the required support.
Step 5: Prepare Your Documents
Prepare the required academic, research and personal documents before beginning the online application.
Step 6: Register for GO ESKAS
The official online application system is:
Grants Online (GO ESKAS)
The application system becomes accessible from 20 August 2026.
Step 7: Submit the Application
The Swiss government states that applications should be submitted through the official application process.
Applicants should not send their application by email or in paper form where the online application process applies.
Is the Application Free for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships ?
Yes.
The Swiss government explicitly states that applications for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are free of charge.
Applicants should be extremely cautious about anyone requesting money to guarantee a scholarship, arrange a scholarship, or process a supposed Swiss Government scholarship.
Warning About Fake Scholarship Offers
The Swiss government has issued an official warning about fraudulent scholarship offers that use the name of the Swiss government.
Scammers may contact applicants by email or social media and request money for supposed visa, insurance or other costs.
Applicants should never transfer money to an unofficial person or organisation claiming that payment is required to obtain the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Pakistani Students
Pakistani students and researchers should pay particular attention to the country-specific requirements.
According to the official Swiss country list, Pakistan’s 2027–28 scholarship opening is:
20 August 2026
The deadline is:
29 September 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time
The available categories listed for Pakistan are:
- Research Fellowship
- PhD
What Does This Mean for Pakistani Applicants?
Pakistani applicants should not apply for the Art Scholarship based solely on information from general Swiss scholarship pages because the Art Scholarship is restricted to selected countries.
For Pakistan, the official country list specifically identifies Research Fellowship and PhD as the available categories for this cycle.
Pakistan Contact Information
The official country list gives the following contact information:
Embassy of Switzerland in Pakistan
Email: islamabad.scholarships@eda.admin.ch
Telephone: +92 51 209 88 00
Applicants should use this official channel for country-specific scholarship questions.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application cycle | 2027–28 |
| Applications open | 20 August 2026 |
| Pakistan application deadline | 29 September 2026 |
| Scholarship begins | 1 September 2027 |
| Research Fellowship | 6–12 months |
| PhD Scholarship | 12 months initially |
| Maximum PhD duration under current rules | 36 months |
| Art Scholarship | 12 months, potentially up to 21 months |
| Selection decision | By the end of May at the latest |
The Swiss government states that FCS decisions for the following academic year are communicated by the end of May at the latest.
How Are Applications Selected in Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships ?
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students assesses applications according to three main criteria:
- Candidate profile
- Quality of the research project or artistic work
- Synergies and potential for future research cooperation
For research applications, academic profile, research competence, motivation, originality and methodological quality of the proposed project are important considerations. The quality of supervision and potential for future collaboration are also considered.
Important Eligibility Restrictions for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility rules before submitting.
Potential exclusion factors include:
- Incomplete applications
- Formal errors
- Missing required supervisor support
- Multiple applications where prohibited
- Previous Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship participation where the rules exclude another application
- Having already lived, studied or worked in Switzerland for too long before the scholarship begins
- Exceeding the permitted number of applications after previous unsuccessful attempts.
Age Requirement
The current scholarship overview lists a maximum age of 35 for the relevant research scholarship categories, with the detailed eligibility information specifying that applicants must have been born after 31 December 1991 for the 2027–28 cycle.
Applicants should still check the country-specific requirements because additional conditions may apply.
Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid while Applying to Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Mistake 1: Using Another Country’s Deadline
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship does not have one universal deadline.
Always use the deadline for your own country.
For Pakistan, the current official deadline is 29 September 2026.
Mistake 2: Calling It a Fully Funded Scholarship
The programme provides CHF 2,450 per month plus specified additional benefits, but applicants should not assume that every tuition, semester or research cost is automatically covered.
Mistake 3: Applying Without a Supervisor
Research and PhD applications require a Swiss academic supervisor.
Applications without the required academic supervision are not considered.
Mistake 4: Using Old Postdoctoral Information
Postdoctoral scholarships are not available from the 2027–28 academic year.
Mistake 5: Assuming the Scholarship Is for Bachelor’s Students
This is not a general undergraduate scholarship programme.
Mistake 6: Waiting Until the Deadline to Find a Supervisor
The Swiss government warns that finding a supervisor can take weeks or months. Applicants should begin this process early.
Mistake 7: Paying a Scholarship Agent
The official application is free.
Applicants should not pay someone who claims they can guarantee a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
When do Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 open?
Applications open on 20 August 2026 through the official Swiss scholarship application system.
What is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship deadline for 2027–28?
There is no single worldwide deadline. The deadline depends on the applicant’s country and scholarship type.
What is the deadline for Pakistani applicants?
For Pakistan, the official deadline is 29 September 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time. The available categories are Research Fellowship and PhD.
How much does the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship pay?
The scholarship provides CHF 2,450 per month for basic living expenses.
Is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship fully funded?
It should not be described as an all-expenses-paid scholarship. It provides CHF 2,450 per month and additional benefits, but applicants should check which academic and institutional fees remain their responsibility.
Can Bachelor’s students apply?
There is no general Bachelor’s scholarship under this programme. The main research scholarships target applicants who have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent.
Can Master’s students apply?
There is no general research Master’s scholarship. An Art Scholarship exists for eligible artists from selected countries pursuing their first Master’s degree in an artistic field.
Can PhD applicants apply?
Yes. The PhD Scholarship is one of the main research categories of the programme.
Can postdoctoral researchers apply for the 2027–28 scholarship?
No. Switzerland stopped awarding postdoctoral scholarships from the 2027–28 academic year.
How long is the Research Fellowship?
The Research Fellowship lasts 6 to 12 months and begins on 1 September 2027. It cannot be extended.
How long is the PhD Scholarship?
The PhD Scholarship is initially awarded for 12 months and can be renewed twice, for a maximum of 36 months, subject to academic progress.
Do I need a Swiss academic supervisor?
Yes. Research Fellowship and PhD applicants must have an academic supervisor in Switzerland who supports the proposed research project.
Can I apply without having a Swiss supervisor?
For Research Fellowship and PhD applications, no. The official Swiss information states that applications without an academic supervisor will not be considered.
Where can I study under the scholarship?
Research scholarships can be hosted at eligible Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL and eligible research institutions within the ETH Domain.
Is there an application fee?
No. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship application is free of charge.
When does the 2027–28 scholarship start?
The relevant scholarships begin on 1 September 2027.
When are scholarship decisions announced?
The Swiss government states that the FCS communicates decisions regarding scholarship awards for the following academic year by the end of May at the latest.
Does Switzerland cover health insurance?
For scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries, the FCS covers premiums for compulsory health insurance.
Does the scholarship provide housing support?
The official programme includes a one-time CHF 600 grant for a rental deposit.
Does the scholarship cover conference attendance and fieldwork?
The official information states that no funding is provided for fieldwork and participation in conferences.
Can I apply for multiple Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
Applicants should follow the country-specific rules carefully. The official information identifies multiple applications where prohibited as a potential reason for exclusion.
Final Takeaway
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 are official scholarships of the Swiss Confederation for talented international researchers and, in selected countries, artists. The programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries.
Applications for the 2027–28 cycle open on 20 August 2026. There is no universal deadline because Switzerland sets the available scholarship types and deadlines according to the applicant’s country of origin.
For Pakistani applicants, the official deadline is 29 September 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time, and the available scholarship categories are Research Fellowship and PhD.
The scholarship provides CHF 2,450 per month for basic living expenses. Additional benefits include health insurance coverage for eligible non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders, a CHF 600 rental-deposit grant, a Half-Fare Travelcard and, for eligible non-EU/EFTA recipients, a return-flight allowance.
Research Fellowship applicants can receive funding for 6–12 months, while PhD scholarship recipients initially receive 12 months and can potentially renew the scholarship up to 36 months, subject to academic progress.
Applicants should begin preparing early because Research Fellowship and PhD applications require a Swiss academic supervisor. The Swiss government warns that finding a suitable supervisor can take weeks or months.
One major change for this cycle is that postdoctoral scholarships are no longer available from 2027–28. Older scholarship guides containing a postdoctoral category for this cycle should therefore not be relied upon.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Applications open: 20 August 2026.
- Pakistan deadline: 29 September 2026.
- Monthly scholarship: CHF 2,450.
- Eligible countries: 183.
- Research Fellowship: 6–12 months.
- PhD Scholarship: 12 months, renewable up to 36 months.
- Research/PhD supervisor: Required.
- Scholarship start: 1 September 2027.
- Postdoctoral scholarship: Not available from 2027–28.
- Application fee: Free.
- Pakistan categories: Research Fellowship and PhD.
- Applicants should rely on official Swiss government and Swiss diplomatic sources for their country-specific deadline and eligibility.
Official Sources
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships at a Glance
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships FAQ
- Swiss Federal Council scholarship funding update
- Official Swiss country list — Pakistan deadline and scholarship types
- Swiss Embassy in Pakistan — Scholarships
Last verified: 19 August 2026.
Disclaimer: Scholarship eligibility, deadlines, available categories and funding conditions can change. Applicants should verify the latest official information for their country before submitting an application.
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