Each year the Swiss Confederation awards what is known as the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. The awarding body selects recipients, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or Ph.D. and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree.
The research Swiss Government Scholarships are available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree as a minimum) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or post-doctoral level.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars Brief Description
- Host Institution(s): One of the 10 Swiss cantonal universities, the two Swiss federal institutes of technology or public teaching and research institutes.
- Level/Field of study: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Studies or Research in any discipline
- Target group: International students from more than 180 countries. See the official website for a complete list of eligible countries.
Swiss Government Scholarship Benefits:
The award covers the following expenses:
- Research fund.
- Monthly stipend of chf1,920.
- Airfare.
- Housing allowance (chf300).
- Free accommodation.
- Health insurance.
- Full tuition fees waiver.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Types
There are two types of scholarships; Art scholarships and Research scholarships.
The Art scholarships target art students who want to have a master’s degree at any Swiss university of the arts or conservatory. However, the scholarship is only open to students from a specific number of countries.
On the other hand, the research scholarship is open for post-graduate researchers in any discipline who want to pursue their research or further studies at the doctoral or post-doctoral level in Switzerland.
Before applying for the research scholarship, candidates should be first selected by an academic mentor at one of the following institutes: All Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, and the two federal institutes of technology.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2024 Application instructions
To apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists for the 2024-2025 academic year, please see the country-specific fact sheets for eligibility criteria, application procedure, deadlines, and contact information specific to your country. If you fulfill the eligibility requirements, contact the Swiss diplomatic representative in your country of origin.
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The diplomatic representation will provide all the necessary information regarding the procedure including application forms and a list of required documentation.
The application deadline falls between September and December 2024, depending on the Swiss Embassy to which the applications must be submitted.
It is important to visit the official website for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
