Scholarship Guides Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: How to Apply

Switzerland · Application Guide

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: How to Apply

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships let foreign researchers and artists pursue doctoral research, postdoctoral research, research stays, or, for select countries, master's degree programs at Swiss institutions. Applications are submitted online through the GO ESKAS portal. Most categories also require approval or endorsement from the Swiss diplomatic representation in your home country, and the application process is free of charge.

Administered by: The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), administered by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)

Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 3 September 2026

What it covers

A monthly allowance (for research/PhD/postdoc scholarships around CHF 1,900 per month; confirm the current published rate)
Tuition fee waiver at the host institution (where applicable)
Health insurance contribution for the scholarship duration
A one-time airfare allowance (in certain categories, per the official terms)
A housing allowance in certain cases, and access to the Swiss academic network

Eligibility

A master's degree or equivalent (for research/PhD/postdoc categories) achieved before the deadline set for your category (e.g. 31 July 2026 for the 2027-28 cycle; ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026)
Age limits per category (e.g. born after 31 December 1990 for the research categories)
Country-specific eligibility: only citizens of countries on the official FCS list of eligible countries may apply
For master's scholarships: available only to citizens of a limited number of countries, per the official country list
Proof of admission/supervision arrangements with the Swiss host institution where required

Application — step by step

1
Check your country's eligibility and category requirements
Only citizens of eligible countries can apply, and the requirements (deadlines, age limits, available categories) differ by country of origin. Consult your country's page on sbfi.admin.ch and the Swiss embassy in your country before anything else.
2
Identify a host and prepare your research proposal
For research/PhD/postdoc categories, secure a Swiss host institution and supervisor and prepare a strong research proposal or work plan for your stay.
3
Create an account and complete the online application in GO ESKAS
Applications are submitted through the GO ESKAS online portal: create an account, complete the application form, and upload all required documents.
4
Obtain approval from the Swiss diplomatic representation (where required)
For most categories the application must be submitted via your country's Swiss embassy or consulate, which endorses and forwards it to the FCS. Follow the embassy's submission instructions and internal deadline (applications for the 2027-28 cycle opened 20 August 2026).
5
Evaluation and selection
The FCS reviews complete applications (with the relevant Swiss institution), and successful candidates are informed of the outcome.
6
Arrival and start of the stay
Awardees complete visa formalities and begin their research, studies, or artistic work in Switzerland (academic year starts September).

Typical documents needed

GO ESKAS online application form
Curriculum vitae and copies of diplomas/certificates
Research proposal or work plan
Letters of recommendation (per category requirements)
Proof of admission or supervision arrangements with the Swiss host institution (where required)
Passport copy and, where applicable, the embassy's endorsement

Annual cycle

Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.

August: Application period opens (e.g. 20 August 2026 for 2027-28)
Autumn (often September-December): Country-specific deadlines via the Swiss embassy / GO ESKAS
Winter-Spring: FCS evaluation and selection
Spring: Results announced
September: Academic year begins in Switzerland

Start your application

sbfi.admin.ch, Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (official)Browse Switzerland scholarship records

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Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: How to Apply

Administered by: The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), administered by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)

Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 3 September 2026

What it covers

A monthly allowance (for research/PhD/postdoc scholarships around CHF 1,900 per month; confirm the current published rate)

Tuition fee waiver at the host institution (where applicable)

Health insurance contribution for the scholarship duration

A one-time airfare allowance (in certain categories, per the official terms)

A housing allowance in certain cases, and access to the Swiss academic network

Eligibility

A master's degree or equivalent (for research/PhD/postdoc categories) achieved before the deadline set for your category (e.g. 31 July 2026 for the 2027-28 cycle; ETH Zurich: 30 June 2026)

Age limits per category (e.g. born after 31 December 1990 for the research categories)

Country-specific eligibility: only citizens of countries on the official FCS list of eligible countries may apply

For master's scholarships: available only to citizens of a limited number of countries, per the official country list

Proof of admission/supervision arrangements with the Swiss host institution where required

Application — step by step

Check your country's eligibility and category requirements

Only citizens of eligible countries can apply, and the requirements (deadlines, age limits, available categories) differ by country of origin. Consult your country's page on sbfi.admin.ch and the Swiss embassy in your country before anything else.

Identify a host and prepare your research proposal

For research/PhD/postdoc categories, secure a Swiss host institution and supervisor and prepare a strong research proposal or work plan for your stay.

Create an account and complete the online application in GO ESKAS

Applications are submitted through the GO ESKAS online portal: create an account, complete the application form, and upload all required documents.

Obtain approval from the Swiss diplomatic representation (where required)

For most categories the application must be submitted via your country's Swiss embassy or consulate, which endorses and forwards it to the FCS. Follow the embassy's submission instructions and internal deadline (applications for the 2027-28 cycle opened 20 August 2026).

Evaluation and selection

The FCS reviews complete applications (with the relevant Swiss institution), and successful candidates are informed of the outcome.

Arrival and start of the stay

Awardees complete visa formalities and begin their research, studies, or artistic work in Switzerland (academic year starts September).

Typical documents needed

GO ESKAS online application form

Curriculum vitae and copies of diplomas/certificates

Research proposal or work plan

Letters of recommendation (per category requirements)

Proof of admission or supervision arrangements with the Swiss host institution (where required)

Passport copy and, where applicable, the embassy's endorsement

Annual cycle

Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.

August

Application period opens (e.g. 20 August 2026 for 2027-28)

Autumn (often September-December)

Country-specific deadlines via the Swiss embassy / GO ESKAS

Winter-Spring

FCS evaluation and selection

Spring

Results announced

September

Academic year begins in Switzerland