About this opportunity
Switzerland wants the brightest early career minds from around the world in its labs, universities and conservatories, and it pays them properly to come. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, run by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), are among the most generous fully funded awards a researcher or artist can hold, covering a full year of research, up to three years of doctoral study, or a first Master in Arts at a Swiss art school or conservatory.
Every scholarship carries a monthly stipend of CHF 2,450 to cover basic living costs, with a start date fixed at 1 September 2027. Research fellowships last between 6 and 12 months with no extensions, while PhD scholarships run for 12 months and can be renewed twice, up to 36 months, based on academic progress. The arts track is reserved for talented artists who do not yet hold a Master degree and is open to applicants from a limited number of countries.
The single most important step happens before you ever touch the form: you must find an academic supervisor in Switzerland, a professor or laboratory group leader in your field, who agrees to endorse your project and write a letter of support. Applications without a supervisor are not considered, and SERI warns that this search can take weeks or even months, so start now rather than in late November.
Deadlines are set country by country, all at 11:59 PM Swiss local time, and for African countries they fall between 13 October and 30 November 2026. Check the official list of countries published by SERI for your exact date, then submit through Grants Online, because applications sent by email or on paper are not accepted.
What you receive
- CHF 2,450 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person
- Research fellowships of 6 to 12 months at Swiss higher education institutions in any academic field
- PhD scholarships of 12 months, renewable twice for up to 36 months subject to academic progress
- First Master in Arts scholarships at all Swiss conservatories and art schools, for a limited number of countries
- Networking and collaboration with Swiss academic institutions and a global alumni community
- A fixed start date of 1 September 2027, so you can plan your year with certainty
Who can apply
- Nationals of more than 180 countries, including countries across Africa, with each country setting its own deadline
- A Master degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027 for research and PhD tracks, or by 30 June 2027 for ETH Zurich
- Date of birth after 31 December 1991
- A letter of support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss higher education institution, including a short CV from that supervisor
- A detailed research plan with a timeline specifying key milestones and activities
- For the arts track: a Bachelor degree completed by 31 July 2027, no Master degree yet, and an admission letter or proof of application to a Swiss University of the Arts or Music
- Applicants already living in Switzerland must have entered no earlier than 1 August 2026, with a copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit
Who should not apply
- Anyone who has already received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
- Anyone who has been living, studying or working in Switzerland for more than 13 months before the scholarship start date
- Applicants on their fourth attempt after three unsuccessful applications
- Multiple simultaneous applications by the same person for several host universities or scholarship types
- Applications with more than one research project proposal, or without an indicated academic supervisor in Switzerland
- The arts scholarship is available to applicants from only a limited number of countries
Documents to prepare
- Complete CV covering education, degrees, awards, positions, publications, teaching and practical experience
- Letter of motivation of maximum 2 pages, covering reasons for the stay in Switzerland and plans after the scholarship
- Research proposal of maximum 5 pages on the FCS/ESKAS form, including a summary for non specialists, downloaded inside the online application
- Letter of support and short CV from the academic supervisor in Switzerland
- Short CV of the academic supervisor at your home university, for research fellowships
- E mail addresses of two different professors in your field, who will be asked to upload recommendation letters through the system
- Certified copies of certificates and transcripts from previous universities, translated if not in English, French, Italian or German
- Copy of passport, and of both passports in the case of dual citizenship
How to apply
- Confirm your country deadline and scholarship types on the official SERI page at https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-at-a-glance, using the country list published for your region.
- Find an academic supervisor at a Swiss university or research institute in your field, and ask them for a letter of support and a short CV. This search can take weeks or months, so begin early.
- Register on the Swiss Grants Online portal (GO ESKAS) at https://www.go.eskas.ch/BewerbungServlet?identifier=SBFI&kz_bew_pers=S&kz_bew_art=IN&aust_prog=CHECK&sprache=en&onlyEligibilityCheck=ELIG_CHECK_SUCCESS, open from 20 August 2026.
- Prepare the full application inside the portal: CV, motivation letter, research proposal on the FCS/ESKAS form, supervisor letter and CV, the contact details of two professors, certificates, transcripts and passport copy.
- Submit through Grants Online before your country deadline, always 11:59 PM Swiss local time. Do not send the application by email or in paper form.
Selection process
- Applications are assessed on the academic profile, research competence and motivation of the candidate.
- The originality and methodological quality of the project carry significant weight.
- The quality of supervision and the potential for future collaboration with the Swiss host complete the criteria.
- Selections lead to scholarships starting 1 September 2027.
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
How much is the scholarship worth?
CHF 2,450 per month, to cover basic living expenses for one person, for the whole duration of the scholarship.
When is the deadline?
Deadlines vary by country of origin and all fall at 11:59 PM Swiss local time. For African countries they run between 13 October and 30 November 2026, so check the official SERI country list for your exact date.
Do I need a supervisor in Switzerland before applying?
Yes. Every research and PhD application needs a letter of support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss higher education institution. Applications without one are not considered, and finding a supervisor can take weeks or months.
Can I apply from any country?
The scholarships are open to applicants from more than 180 countries. The arts track is the exception, limited to a smaller list of countries.
How long can a PhD scholarship last?
12 months initially, renewable twice for up to 36 months in total, subject to academic progress during the first year.
Where do I submit?
Only through the Swiss Grants Online portal (GO ESKAS), which opened on 20 August 2026. Email and paper applications are not accepted.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
