Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026-2027

Overview

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (known by the German acronym ESKAS) are awarded annually by the Swiss Confederation through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). The program promotes international academic exchange and long-term research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 countries. These scholarships are among the most respected research-focused awards in Europe, funding work at any of Switzerland's universities, federal institutes of technology (ETH Zurich and EPFL), and research institutions.

The program is aimed at early career researchers who already hold a master's degree or PhD and want to pursue doctoral or postdoctoral research in Switzerland. A separate art scholarship track is open to students seeking an initial master's degree in fine arts, design, or music at a Swiss university of applied sciences. All disciplines qualify for the research scholarship.

For the 2026-2027 cycle, the scholarship provides a monthly stipend of CHF 2,450 for PhD researchers and art scholars (up from CHF 1,920) and CHF 3,500 for postdoctoral researchers, plus a housing allowance of CHF 600, health insurance, and a half-fare travel card for Swiss public transport. Applications are now fully online starting in 2026, replacing the old embassy-based process. Deadlines are country-specific, so check the SBFI portal for your nationality.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Swiss Confederation, Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS)
Host Country	Switzerland
Degree Levels	Master's, PhD, Postdoctoral
Value	Monthly stipend CHF 2,450 (PhD/art) or CHF 3,500 (postdoc), housing allowance, health insurance, half-fare travel card
Deadline	Country-specific
Duration	12 months (renewable for PhD students upon satisfactory progress)
Eligible Nationalities	Citizens of over 180 countries with diplomatic relations with Switzerland
Official Website	https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

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.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in the language of instruction at the chosen Swiss institution (German, French, Italian, or English depending on the university and program). Language certificates may be required.

Work Experience

Not required, but postdoctoral applicants are expected to have a strong research track record with publications.

Other Requirements

Applicants must be born after December 31, 1990. A letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor (professor) is mandatory, confirming willingness to host the researcher. Applicants must not have previously held an ESKAS scholarship of the same type.

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

How to Apply

1. Find a Swiss Academic Supervisor: Contact professors at Swiss universities, ETH Zurich, EPFL, or research institutions in your field. Get a letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor who agrees to host your research project. This is a mandatory prerequisite.
2. Check Your Country-Specific Deadline: Visit the SBFI portal and select your country of origin to find the applicable deadline, available scholarship types, and any country-specific requirements. Deadlines vary widely by nationality.
3. Prepare Your Application Package: Complete the official FCS application form and gather all required documents: research proposal, CV with publications, motivation letter, transcripts, diplomas, recommendation letters, supervisor's support letter and CV, medical certificate, and passport copies.
4. Submit Online via the ESKAS Portal: Starting in the 2026-2027 cycle, all applications go through the ESKAS portal at go.eskas.ch. Upload all documents in digital format. No embassy submissions are required.
5. Evaluation and Decision: The Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) evaluates all applications. Decisions are announced by the end of May 2026 at the latest. Successful candidates receive official notification and begin preparing for their arrival in Switzerland.

Required Documents

• Signed official FCS/ESKAS application form
• Academic CV including a list of publications
• Research proposal (maximum 5 pages) detailing the planned project in Switzerland
• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages)
• Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor with their short CV
• Two recommendation letters from academic referees
• Official academic transcripts and degree certificates (with certified translations if not in English, French, German, or Italian)
• Signed medical certificate from a licensed physician
• Formal acceptance or invitation letter from the Swiss host institution
• Two passport-size photographs and copies of passport identity pages

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	August 4, 2025 (online portal opens)
Application Deadline	Country-specific deadlines between August 2025 and March 2026. Check the SBFI website for your nationality's exact deadline.
Results Announced	By end of May 2026
Course Start	September 2026 or as agreed with the Swiss host institution

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Get a Swiss academic supervisor early. This is the single most important step and often the most time-consuming. Start reaching out to professors 6-12 months before the deadline.
• Write a research proposal that is specific, feasible within the scholarship period, and clearly benefits from the Swiss institution's resources or expertise.
• Show how your research fits within the broader work of the Swiss research group and what you will contribute to their team.
• Highlight any existing connections to Switzerland: previous collaborations, conference attendance, or co-authored publications with Swiss researchers.
• For art scholarship applicants, include a strong portfolio that shows both technical skill and creative vision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without securing a Swiss academic supervisor first. Applications without a support letter are automatically rejected.
• Missing the country-specific deadline. Unlike most scholarships, ESKAS deadlines vary by nationality and can be as early as August.
• Submitting a research proposal that is too broad or not tailored to the specific Swiss institution and supervisor.
• Not checking whether your country offers the research scholarship, art scholarship, or both. Available types vary by country.
• Assuming the scholarship covers family members. The stipend and insurance are for the scholar only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship monthly stipend?

PhD researchers and art scholars receive CHF 2,450 per month (up from CHF 1,920 starting in 2026). Postdoctoral researchers receive CHF 3,500 per month. These amounts cover basic living expenses for one person in Switzerland.

Do I need a Swiss supervisor to apply for ESKAS?

A letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor is mandatory. You must find and confirm a supervisor at a Swiss university or research institution before applying.

What is the age limit for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?

Applicants must be born after December 31, 1990, meaning you must be 35 or younger at the start of the scholarship year.

Can I do a master's degree with Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?

The research scholarship is for PhD and postdoctoral research only. The separate Art Scholarship track allows students to pursue an initial master's degree in fine arts, design, or music at a Swiss university of applied sciences.

What is the deadline for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?

Deadlines are country-specific, ranging from August 2025 to March 2026. Visit the SBFI portal, select your country, and check the exact deadline for your nationality.

Is the Swiss Government Scholarship fully funded?

The scholarship covers the monthly stipend (CHF 2,450 for PhD/art, CHF 3,500 for postdoc), health insurance, tuition fee exemption, a one-time housing allowance of CHF 600, and a half-fare travel card. The stipend covers basic living for one person. Keep in mind Switzerland's high cost of living.

Can I apply for Swiss Government Scholarship online?

Starting with the 2026-2027 cycle, all applications are submitted online through the ESKAS portal at go.eskas.ch. The old embassy-based submission process has been discontinued.

How long is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?

The scholarship is initially for 12 months. PhD students can apply for renewal upon demonstrating satisfactory research progress. Postdoctoral scholarships are for one year only.

Which Swiss universities accept ESKAS scholars?

ESKAS scholars can study at any Swiss cantonal university, either federal institute of technology (ETH Zurich and EPFL), universities of applied sciences, or the four research institutes within the ETH Domain (PSI, WSL, Empa, Eawag).

Does Swiss Government Scholarship cover health insurance?

Mandatory Swiss health insurance is fully covered for non-EU/EFTA fellows. EU/EFTA nationals may need to verify whether their home country insurance provides equivalent coverage.

How competitive is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?

Selection is based on academic excellence, research quality, and the strength of the Swiss supervisor's endorsement. A well-defined research plan and strong publications improve your chances considerably.

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