Swiss Government
PhD/Postdoctoral Degree

Deadline: varies, Sept-Dec 2023
Study in: Switzerland
Next course starts 2024

Brief description: 

Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries.

The research scholarship is 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 doctoral or post-doctoral level.

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.

Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. Recipients are selected by the awarding body, 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 PhD and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree.

Information

One minute introduction to Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

FAQs for scholarship applicants & academic supervisors (PDF, 126 kB, 19.07.2022)

• Research scholarships
• Art scholarships
• Application procedure
• How to apply
• Selection
• Awards
• Outlook

Research scholarships

The research scholarship (research fellowship, PhD, Postdoc) is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree is the minimum qualification required) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at doctoral or post-doctoral level.

Research scholarships are awarded for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences and the two federal institutes of technology, as well as the four research institutes. Only candidates nominated by an academic supervisor at one of these higher education institutions will be considered.

 Research fellowship PhD scholarship Postdoctoral scholarship

Art scholarships

Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial arts master’s degree in Switzerland.

Art scholarships are awarded for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts. This scholarship is available to students from a limited number of countries only.

 Art scholarship

Application procedure

How to apply

Select your country of origin according to your passport. Find out about the types of scholarships available, eligibility criteria and application deadlines for your country. For more information and questions, please contact the address provided in the list of contacts (PDF, 135 kB, 14.08.2023).

Select your country of origin according to your passport (PDF, 135 kB, 14.08.2023)

North America (PDF, 69 kB, 19.07.2023)

South America (PDF, 74 kB, 19.07.2023)

Europe (PDF, 96 kB, 02.08.2023)

Africa (PDF, 89 kB, 19.07.2023)

Asia (PDF, 79 kB, 14.08.2023)

Australia and Ozeania (PDF, 63 kB, 19.07.2023)

Download the Application Package (ZIP, 3 MB, 18.07.2023)

Read the Application Guidelines (PDF, 753 kB, 19.07.2023) and follow the instructions. Prepare your application and submit two complete copies to the relevant office in your country of origin according to the list of contacts (PDF, 135 kB, 14.08.2023) by the deadline.

Selection

Applications are subject to preliminary selection by the relevant national authorities and/or the Swiss diplomatic representation. The short-listed applications are then assessed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), which takes the final decision.

The FCS assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria:

1. Candidate profile
2. Quality of the research project or artistic work
3. Synergies and potential for future research cooperation

The FCS is composed of professors from Swiss public universities. Scholarship awards are decided on the basis of academic and scientific excellence.

Awards

The FCS will announce its decisions regarding the new scholarship awards by the end of May at the latest.

Outlook

The FCS will select scholarship holders for the 2024-25 academic year by the end of May 2024. Scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year will be advertised online from August 2024.

Target group:

International students from more than 180 countries.  See the official website for complete list of eligible countries.

Scholarship inclusions:

The scholarship covers a monthly payment, exemption of tuition fees, health insurance, air fare, housing allowance, etc., as applicable. Please refer to the country-specific fact sheets for exact scholarship benefits.

Eligibility Criteria:

Please refer to the country-specific fact sheets for general and specific eligibility criteria.

Application instructions:

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 representation in your country of origin. The diplomatic representation will provide you with all the necessary information regarding the procedure including application forms and a list of required documentation.

The application deadline falls between September-December 2023, depending on the Swiss Embassy to which the applications have to be submitted.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Website:

Official Scholarship Website: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/scholarships-and-grants/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships.html