Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2025 in Switzerland (Fully Funded)

Great news: the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for the academic year 2025-2026 in Switzerland is now open for applications. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the scholarship, its benefits, and a step-by-step guide to the application process.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded opportunity available to international students pursuing master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral studies. The scholarship includes a monthly stipend, tuition fee exemption, health insurance coverage, airfare, and a housing allowance.

Sponsored by the Federal Commission of Scholarships (FCS) in partnership with the Swiss government, the Swiss Government Scholarship is awarded to students from over 180 countries. It is open to highly qualified postgraduate researchers from all academic fields, as well as young medical doctors.

The Research Scholarship is designed for postgraduate researchers in any discipline who hold at least a master’s degree and plan to conduct research or pursue further studies at the doctoral or postdoctoral level in Switzerland. These scholarships are available for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, and the two federal institutes of technology.

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Key Details:

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Types of Scholarships

• The research scholarship is available to postgraduate researchers from any discipline who hold at least a master’s degree and plan to conduct research or pursue further studies at the doctoral or postdoctoral level in Switzerland. These scholarships support research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, the two federal institutes of technology, and the four research institutes. Only candidates who have been nominated by an academic mentor at one of these institutions will be considered.
• Art scholarships are designed for art students aiming to pursue an initial master’s degree in Switzerland. These scholarships are available for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts and are open to students from a limited number of countries.

Scholarship Benefits

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2025 provide recipients with the following benefits:

• A monthly stipend of CHF 1,920.
• Mandatory Swiss health insurance is covered by the FCS for non-EU and non-EFTA grantees only.
• No family allowances.
• A lump sum flight allowance for a return ticket to their home country for non-EU and non-EFTA scholarship holders (provided at the end of the scholarship).
• A special one-time housing allowance of CHF 300 at the beginning of the scholarship.
• A one-year half-fare public transportation card.
• Support services, including organized trips, dinners, and sightseeing tours for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders.

Eligibility Criteria for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2025

To qualify for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships in Switzerland, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Required Language: English.
• Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide.
• A master’s degree or equivalent university degree recognized by a Swiss university, achieved before July 31, 2024. The degree certificate must be submitted to the Federal Commission for Scholarships before the scholarship starts.
• Applicants must be born after December 31, 1989.
• Those who have been in Switzerland for more than one year before the start of the scholarship in September are not eligible.
• Applicants must provide a letter from an academic host professor at the chosen Swiss university, including the professor’s short CV, confirming their willingness to supervise and support the research. Applications without such support will be rejected.
• Applicants must submit a research proposal with a detailed time frame. This proposal is the centerpiece of the application and must be thoroughly prepared.
• Applicants must possess the necessary language skills required for the research/studies.
• Applicants who have previously received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship.
• Scholarship holders are expected to reside in Switzerland during the grant period.

How to Apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2025?

Please follow these application instructions for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships:

1. Prepare the following documents:

• A signed FCS application form (typed and printed).
• A complete CV with a list of academic publications and awards.
• A motivation letter (maximum 2 pages).
• A complete research proposal (maximum 5 pages, signed), using exclusively the FCS research proposal format.
• A copy of the letter from an academic host professor at the chosen Swiss university, including their short CV, confirming their willingness to supervise and support your research.
• A brief CV of your academic mentor at your home institution.
• Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors in your field (using exclusively the FCS reference form – originals in sealed envelopes only for the first set; no copies for the second set).
• Photocopies of certificates, grade sheets, and diplomas from previously attended universities or colleges, starting with the most recent. If these documents are not in English, French, Italian, or German, they must be accompanied by certified translations in English. Do not submit the original certificates.
• A signed medical certificate (using only the FCS health certificate form).
• Two copies of your passport (main page with personal data). Dual nationals must include copies of both passports. Applicants already in Switzerland during the application procedure must add a copy of their residence permit for Switzerland.

2. Obtain the application package from the Swiss representative in your country.

3. Submit two sets of application documents (one original and one copy) in the exact order specified below: 

• The first set should contain the original, signed documents, the confidential letters of recommendation, and, if applicable, the certified translations in English. 
• The second set should be a copy of the first set, except for the confidential letters of recommendation (only included in the first set). No copies of the confidential letters are needed for the second set.