Swiss Confederation, Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS)

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026-2027

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026-2027 is a partially-funded scholarship from Swiss Confederation, Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) for Master's, PhD pursuing any field in Switzerland. Deadline: Country-specific.

Funding: Partial Funding
Degree levels: Master's, PhD
Where: Switzerland
Funded by: government

Key Facts at a Glance

Amount: Monthly stipend CHF 2,450 (PhD/art) or CHF 3,500 (postdoc), housing allowance, health insurance, half-fare travel card
Deadline: Country-specific
Host countries: Switzerland
Fields: Any field

Eligibility Criteria

Citizens of over 180 countries with diplomatic relations with Switzerland Academic Requirements Research scholarship applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent completed by July 31, 2026 (June 30, 2026 for ETH Zurich). Postdoctoral applicants must hold a PhD. Art scholarship applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in an artistic discipline. Nationality Requirements Open to citizens of over 180 countries. Swiss nationals are not eligible. Country-specific conditions and deadlines apply.

Scholarship Benefits

Monthly stipend of CHF 2,450 for PhD researchers and art scholars (up from CHF 1,920 starting 2026)
Monthly stipend of CHF 3,500 for postdoctoral researchers
One-time housing allowance of CHF 600 paid with the first stipend (up from CHF 300 starting 2026)
Mandatory Swiss health insurance fully covered for non-EU/EFTA fellows
Tuition fee exemption at the host Swiss institution
One-year Half Fare Travelcard for Swiss public transport (50% discount on trains, buses, boats, and mountain lifts)
Access to Swiss research facilities and laboratories
Exemption from registration and course fees at most Swiss universities

Important Dates & Deadlines

Country-specific

Verify eligibility and deadlines on the official scholarship page before applying.