Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 | Fully Funded Scholarships in Switzerland

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are now officially open for international students, researchers, and artists. Applications started on 20 August 2026, and the deadline is different for each country.

The Swiss Confederation offers these scholarships to support international education, research cooperation, and artistic talent. For the 2027–2028 academic year, the program is open to applicants from 183 countries. However, the type of scholarship available depends on the applicant’s country of origin.

The main scholarship areas are Research Scholarships, PhD Scholarships, and Art Scholarships. There is an important difference between these programs. Research and PhD applicants generally need an academic supervisor in Switzerland, while Art Scholarship applicants need admission or proof of application to a Swiss art or music institution.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Important Details

Here are the most important facts about the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028:

• Host Country: Switzerland
• Academic Year: 2027–2028
• Application Opens: 20 August 2026
• Eligible Countries: 183 countries
• Scholarship Type: Government-funded
• Monthly Scholarship: CHF 2,450
• Research Level: Research and PhD
• Arts Level: First Master’s degree in an artistic field
• Application System: GO ESKAS
• Deadline: Different for each country
• Application Fee: Free
• Start Date: Generally 1 September 2027

The official Swiss government states that applications are open from 20 August 2026 and that country-specific deadlines and scholarship types must be checked according to the applicant’s country of origin.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 for 183 Countries

One of the biggest advantages of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 is their international reach.

The program is currently open to applicants from 183 countries. However, not every country has access to every scholarship type.

For example, Research Scholarships and PhD Scholarships are available to researchers from many countries and academic fields. The Art Scholarship is more limited and is available only to applicants from selected countries.

Therefore, applicants should not assume that they are eligible simply because their country appears on the general list.

Before applying, check:

• Your country of origin
• Available scholarship type
• Country-specific deadline
• Academic requirements
• Age requirement
• Required documents
• Swiss university or institution requirements

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Research and PhD Scholarships

The Research Scholarship is designed for highly qualified researchers who want to conduct research at a Swiss university, university of applied sciences, federal institute of technology, or recognized research institute.

Applicants can apply for research in different academic fields.

For the Research and PhD programs, one of the most important requirements is finding an academic supervisor in Switzerland.

The supervisor must be willing to support the applicant’s proposed research project and provide the required letter of support. Applications without the required academic supervisor will not be considered.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Academic Supervisor Requirement

If you want to apply for the research or PhD scholarship, you should start looking for a suitable professor or supervisor as early as possible.

Your supervisor should be connected to a Swiss university or eligible research institution and should have an academic background related to your proposed research.

You should normally prepare:

• A strong research proposal
• Research objectives
• Research methodology
• A research timeline
• Your academic CV
• Academic certificates
• A clear explanation of why you want to conduct the research in Switzerland

The official requirements state that the research application must include a detailed research plan and a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Art Scholarships

The Art Scholarship is different from the research scholarships.

It is designed for talented international artists who want to obtain their first Master’s degree in Switzerland in an artistic field.

The official Swiss government information says that applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027 and must not already hold a Master’s degree when the scholarship begins.

The Art Scholarship is available only to applicants from a limited number of countries, so applicants must check the official country list before preparing their application.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Master’s Fields in Arts

If you are interested in the Master’s-level Art Scholarship, the relevant study areas can include fields such as:

• Painting and Visual Arts
• Sculpture
• Graphics and Design
• Photography
• Digital Arts
• Design
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Singing
• Theater
• Theater and Performing Arts
• Other Similar Artistic Disciplines

The exact program must be offered by an eligible Swiss art school, conservatory, or university of the arts.

Applicants should also remember that the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship application and university admission are separate processes. You need to follow the admission requirements of your selected Swiss institution as well as the scholarship requirements.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Who Can Apply for the Art Scholarship?

The Art Scholarship is mainly for young and highly talented artists who want to study for their first Master’s degree in Switzerland.

Important requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027
• You must not already have a Master’s degree when the scholarship starts
• You must meet the age requirement
• You must have an admission letter or proof that your application to a Swiss art or music institution is being considered
• You must have a strong artistic profile
• You must submit a strong portfolio
• You must meet the eligibility requirements for your country

The selection process considers the applicant’s artistic profile, qualifications, motivation, portfolio, and available places at the selected institution.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Scholarship Amount

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 provide a monthly scholarship of:

CHF 2,450 per month

The Swiss government states that this amount is intended to help cover the basic living costs of one person in Switzerland. It is a scholarship payment and is not considered a normal salary.

The monthly amount was increased to CHF 2,450 from January 2026. The Swiss government also announced a one-time housing contribution increase from CHF 300 to CHF 600.

Applicants should not assume that the scholarship automatically means that every university fee and every dormitory cost is completely free. Tuition, registration, accommodation, health insurance, and other costs can depend on the institution and scholarship conditions. Always check the official conditions for your specific scholarship and university.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Scholarship Duration

The duration depends on the scholarship type.

For a Research Fellowship, the scholarship can last up to 12 months, with a minimum duration of six months, and there is no extension.

For a PhD Scholarship, the scholarship can last up to 12 months initially and may be renewed for a maximum of 36 months, depending on academic progress and the applicable conditions.

For an Art Scholarship, the scholarship is initially for 12 months and can be extended up to a maximum of 21 months, depending on the Master’s program and required ECTS credits.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Eligible Countries and Application Deadlines

Country	Application Deadline
Afghanistan	31 October 2026
Albania	30 November 2026
Algeria	13 November 2026
Angola	27 November 2026
Antigua and Barbuda	10 November 2026
Argentina	10 November 2026
Armenia	10 November 2026
Australia	27 November 2026
Austria	10 November 2026
Azerbaijan	30 November 2026
Bahamas	30 November 2026
Bahrain	10 November 2026
Bangladesh	30 October 2026
Barbados	17 November 2026
Belarus	30 November 2026
Belgium	10 November 2026
Belize	6 October 2026
Benin	27 November 2026
Bhutan	10 November 2026
Bolivia	20 November 2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina	20 November 2026
Botswana	30 November 2026
Brazil	27 October 2026
Brunei Darussalam	30 November 2026
Bulgaria	17 November 2026
Burkina Faso	27 November 2026
Burundi	10 November 2026
Cambodia	24 November 2026
Cameroon	27 November 2026
Cape Verde	30 November 2026
Central African Republic	27 November 2026
Chad	27 November 2026
Chile	24 November 2026
China	30 November 2026
Colombia	30 November 2026
Comoros	27 November 2026
Congo, Republic (Brazzaville)	30 November 2026
Congo, Democratic Republic (Kinshasa)	30 November 2026
Cook Islands	10 November 2026
Costa Rica	27 November 2026
Côte d’Ivoire	27 November 2026
Croatia	30 November 2026
Cuba	30 November 2026
Cyprus	27 October 2026
Czech Republic	17 November 2026
Denmark	27 November 2026
Djibouti	13 November 2026
Dominica	10 November 2026
Dominican Republic	10 November 2026
Ecuador	27 October 2026
Egypt	10 November 2026
El Salvador	27 November 2026
Equatorial Guinea	27 November 2026
Eritrea	30 November 2026
Estonia	10 November 2026
Eswatini	30 November 2026
Ethiopia	13 November 2026
Fiji	10 November 2026
Finland	13 November 2026
Gabon	30 November 2026
Gambia	30 November 2026
Georgia	24 November 2026
Germany	10 November 2026
Ghana	27 November 2026
Grenada	17 November 2026
Guatemala	27 November 2026
Guinea	27 November 2026
Guinea-Bissau	30 November 2026
Guyana	17 November 2026
Haiti	10 November 2026
Honduras	27 November 2026
Hong Kong	30 November 2026
Holy See (Vatican City)	17 November 2026
Hungary	13 October 2026
Iceland	13 October 2026
India	10 November 2026
Indonesia	30 November 2026
Iran	10 November 2026
Iraq	27 November 2026
Israel	20 November 2026
Italy	17 November 2026
Jamaica	30 November 2026
Japan	30 November 2026
Jordan	27 November 2026
North Korea	30 November 2026
Kazakhstan	27 November 2026
Kenya	30 November 2026
Kiribati	27 November 2026
South Korea	10 November 2026
Kosovo	27 November 2026
Kuwait	10 November 2026
Kyrgyzstan	30 November 2026
Laos	24 November 2026
Latvia	10 November 2026
Lebanon	30 November 2026
Lesotho	30 November 2026
Liberia	27 November 2026
Libya	10 November 2026
Lithuania	10 November 2026
Madagascar	27 November 2026
Malawi	10 November 2026
Malaysia	30 November 2026
Maldives	3 November 2026
Mali	30 November 2026
Malta	17 November 2026
Marshall Islands	27 November 2026
Mauritania	30 November 2026
Mauritius	27 November 2026
Mexico	30 November 2026
Micronesia	27 November 2026
Moldova	27 November 2026
Mongolia	30 November 2026
Montenegro	24 November 2026
Morocco	10 November 2026
Mozambique	27 October 2026
Myanmar	24 November 2026
Namibia	30 November 2026
Nauru	27 November 2026
Nepal	27 November 2026
Netherlands	27 November 2026
New Zealand	10 November 2026
Nicaragua	27 November 2026
Niger	27 November 2026
Nigeria	27 November 2026
North Macedonia	10 November 2026
Occupied Palestinian Territory	27 November 2026
Oman	27 November 2026
Pakistan	31 October 2026
Palau	27 November 2026
Panama	27 November 2026
Papua New Guinea	27 November 2026
Paraguay	27 November 2026
Peru	20 October 2026
Philippines	27 November 2026
Poland	30 November 2026
Portugal	30 November 2026
Qatar	10 November 2026
Romania	30 November 2026
Russia	30 October 2026
Rwanda	30 November 2026
Solomon Islands	27 November 2026
Samoa	10 November 2026
Saint Lucia	17 November 2026
São Tomé and Príncipe	27 November 2026
Saudi Arabia	27 November 2026
Senegal	30 November 2026
Serbia	24 November 2026
Seychelles	27 November 2026
Sierra Leone	27 November 2026
Singapore	30 November 2026
Slovakia	27 November 2026
Slovenia	30 November 2026
Somalia	30 November 2026
South Africa	30 November 2026
South Sudan	13 November 2026
Sri Lanka	3 November 2026
St. Kitts and Nevis	10 November 2026
St. Vincent and the Grenadines	17 November 2026
Sudan	10 November 2026
Suriname	17 November 2026
Syria	30 November 2026
Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)	13 November 2026
Tajikistan	27 November 2026
Tanzania	10 November 2026
Thailand	24 November 2026
Timor-Leste	30 November 2026
Togo	27 November 2026
Tonga	10 November 2026
Trinidad and Tobago	17 November 2026
Tunisia	13 October 2026
Türkiye	30 November 2026
Turkmenistan	27 November 2026
Tuvalu	10 November 2026
Uganda	30 November 2026
Ukraine	30 November 2026
United Arab Emirates	10 November 2026
United Kingdom	13 November 2026
United States	6 October 2026
Uruguay	27 November 2026
Uzbekistan	30 November 2026
Vanuatu	27 November 2026
Venezuela	17 November 2026
Vietnam	24 November 2026
Yemen	27 November 2026
Zambia	10 November 2026
Zimbabwe	10 November 2026

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Participating Universities

Research applicants can conduct their work at eligible Swiss higher education institutions and research institutes.

The eligible institutions include:

• University of Basel
• University of Bern
• University of Fribourg
• University of Geneva
• University of Lausanne
• University of Lucerne
• University of Neuchâtel
• University of St. Gallen
• University of Zurich
• Università della Svizzera Italiana
• EPFL – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
• ETH Zurich
• Research Institutes of the ETH Domain, including PSI, WSL, Empa, and Eawag
• Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)
• University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO)
• Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
• University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)
• Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST)
• University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (FHGR)
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU)
• University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI)
• Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
• Universities of Teacher Education
• UniDistance Switzerland
• Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET)
• Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM)

For Art Scholarships, eligible institutions include Swiss art schools, conservatories, and universities of the arts.

Examples include:

• Bern University of the Arts (HKB-BFH)
• Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
• Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana
• HES-SO
• FHNW
• OST
• HSLU
• SUPSI

Applicants should check whether their selected program is eligible before submitting the scholarship application.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: How to Apply

The application process is online through the official GO ESKAS system.

Before starting the application, follow these steps.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Step 1 – Check Your Country

First, check whether your country is eligible and which scholarship type is available.

This is especially important for the Art Scholarship, because it is available only to applicants from selected countries. The official Swiss government publishes country-specific scholarship types and deadlines.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Step 2 – Check the Requirements

Read all requirements carefully.

For research and PhD applicants, pay special attention to the academic supervisor requirement.

For Art Scholarship applicants, pay special attention to:

• Bachelor’s degree requirement
• Age requirement
• Portfolio
• Admission to an eligible Swiss art or music institution
• Country eligibility

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Step 3 – Find a Supervisor

If you are applying for a research or PhD scholarship, contact suitable professors in Switzerland.

Your email should be professional and short.

Attach important documents such as your:

• CV
• Research proposal
• Academic transcript
• Degree certificate
• Research summary

The official Swiss government confirms that research applications must have support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Step 4 – Prepare Your Documents

Prepare your documents before completing the online form.

Common documents may include:

• Passport
• Academic certificates
• Academic transcripts
• CV
• Research proposal, if applicable
• Motivation letter
• Portfolio, for Art Scholarship applicants
• Admission letter or proof of application
• Supervisor’s letter, for research and PhD applicants
• Other documents required for your country

Always follow the current official document list for your specific scholarship.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Step 5 – Create Your Online Application

The official application system is GO ESKAS.

The Swiss government states that applications must be submitted through the official online process. Applications should not be sent by email or in paper form.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Application Deadline

There is not one single deadline for all countries.

The deadline depends on your country of origin and the scholarship type available to you.

For this reason, applicants should check the official country list before submitting an application.

Do not wait until the final day. Preparing a research proposal, finding a professor, receiving an admission letter, and preparing a portfolio can take time.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Official Application Link

The official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships website is:

Official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028

Applicants should read the official requirements carefully before starting their application.

The official GO ESKAS application system is available here:

Apply through GO ESKAS

The scholarship application is free. The Swiss government has also warned applicants about fake scholarship offers and requests for money. Never pay someone who claims that a payment is required to receive this government scholarship.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Selection Process

After applications are submitted, they are evaluated by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS).

The main selection areas include:

1. Applicant profile
2. Quality of the research project or artistic work
3. Potential for future research cooperation

For research applicants, the academic quality and originality of the research project are especially important.

For artists, the portfolio and artistic potential are important parts of the selection process.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Important Advice for Applicants

If you want to win the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028, do not treat the application as a simple online form.

Your academic or artistic profile is very important.

For research applicants:

• Choose a clear research topic.
• Prepare a strong research proposal.
• Contact suitable Swiss professors early.
• Explain why Switzerland is important for your research.
• Make your research goals clear.
• Use a professional academic CV.

For Art Scholarship applicants:

• Build a strong portfolio.
• Choose a program that matches your artistic background.
• Apply to the Swiss art school or conservatory separately.
• Show your artistic experience clearly.
• Prepare a strong motivation statement.
• Check whether your country is eligible for the Art Scholarship.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Is It Fully Funded?

The scholarship provides CHF 2,450 per month to help cover basic living costs.

However, applicants should understand that “fully funded” does not always mean that every possible expense in Switzerland is automatically paid by the scholarship.

The exact financial benefits and costs can depend on the scholarship type, institution, and individual circumstances.

Therefore, before accepting an award, carefully read the official scholarship conditions and university information.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028: Final Thoughts

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 are an excellent opportunity for talented international researchers and artists who want to study or conduct research in Switzerland.

Applications officially opened on 20 August 2026, and the program currently covers applicants from 183 countries. Research and PhD applicants should focus on finding a suitable academic supervisor and preparing a strong research proposal. Art applicants should focus on their portfolio, artistic profile, and admission to an eligible Swiss art or music institution.

The scholarship provides CHF 2,450 per month, making it an attractive opportunity for international applicants.

Most importantly, check your country-specific deadline and scholarship type before applying. The available scholarship and deadline are not the same for every country.

If you meet the requirements, start preparing your documents as early as possible and apply through the official GO ESKAS system.

Other Best Scholarships in Switzerland

hsg-scholarship-switzerland

Switzerland CYD Fellowships 2026 – Details

ETH Zurich Switzerland: Admission and Study Opportunities

WIPO Internship Program in Switzerland 2026 – Details

youth-for-biosecurity-fellowship-2026-in-switzerland