By: Hammad Ishaq | AI/ML Engineer
Last verified on: December 13, 2025

Overview: What the Program Is and Who Runs It

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are prestigious awards funded by the Swiss Government through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), also known as ESKAS (Eidgenössische Stipendienkommission für ausländische Studierende). These scholarships foster international exchange and research collaboration by enabling foreign scholars and artists to undertake postgraduate research, doctoral studies, postdoctoral research, or artistic studies in Switzerland.

The scholarship program supports applicants from over 180 countries, spanning all academic fields and disciplines.

Benefits/Funding: What You Receive

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are fully funded in terms of living expenses and include additional support items for eligible candidates. (SERI)

Financial Benefits

• Monthly Stipend (Living Allowance):

  • CHF 1,920 per month for research fellowships, PhD, and art scholarships.

  • CHF 3,500 per month for postdoctoral scholarships. (SERI)

• Insurance and Travel:

  • Mandatory Swiss health insurance premiums are covered for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries. (SERI)

  • A one-time housing deposit grant of CHF 600 (increased from CHF 300) assists with accommodation arrangements. (SERI)

  • A half-fare public transport card for Swiss transport. (SERI)

  • Return flight allowance for non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders after completion. (SERI)

What Is Not Covered

• Tuition or university semester fees — applicants must verify any tuition fees with their Swiss institution. (SERI)

• Fieldwork, conference participation, or travel outside Switzerland related to research. (SERI)

• Family allowances or dependent support. (SERI)

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

General Criteria (research and PhD):

• Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent (completed by 31 July 2026; for ETH Zürich applicants: 30 June 2026). (SERI)

• Be born after 31 December 1990 (age limit applies across most categories). (SERI)

• Provide a detailed research proposal and timeline. (SERI)

• Obtain a letter of support from an academic host supervisor in Switzerland including their short CV. (SERI)

• Priority is given to applicants who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland. (SERI)

Postdoctoral Scholarships:

• Completion of a PhD between 1 January 2023 and 31 July 2026 (ETH Zürich: 30 June 2026). (SERI)

Art Scholarships:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree and not already hold a Master’s degree. (SERI)

• Must have admission or proof of application for a Swiss arts institution (available only for selected countries). (SERI)

Ineligibilities and Notes

• Applicants may not have lived in Switzerland for more than 12 months prior to the scholarship start. (Edu Live)

• Scholarship holders cannot hold another Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship concurrently. (Edu Live)

Timeline & Deadlines

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships follow a fixed annual cycle, with dates that may vary slightly by country. (SERI)

• Call Opens: Early August 2025 (scholarship for 2026–27). (SERI)

• Application Deadlines: Vary by country — many fall between September and December 2025. For example:

  • Pakistan deadline: 30 September 2025. (EDA)

  • Some other countries extend to late November or early December 2025. (EURAXESS)

• Selection Results: By end of May 2026 at the latest. (SERI)

• Scholarship Start Date: 1 September 2026. (SERI)

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Check Eligibility & Country Details

1. Visit the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships country list and deadlines. (SERI)

2. Confirm the types of scholarships offered to your country. (SERI)

2. Secure an Academic Supervisor

1. Contact professors at Swiss universities whose research aligns with your project.

2. Obtain a written letter of support from a host supervisor with their CV. (SERI)

3. Prepare Required Documents

Use the official guidelines to compile documents (details in the next section). (SERI)

4. Submit via Official Portal

1. Create an account and start your application at the official portal: Go.ESKAS.

2. Upload all documents before your country-specific deadline.

   • Apply here: Go.ESKAS Portal (https://go.eskas.ch/LoginServlet).

5. Embassy/Authority Preselection

Applications are first reviewed at Swiss diplomatic missions or official authorities in your country before final evaluation by the FCS. (SERI)

Required Documents Checklist

Most applicants will need the following (confirm specifics in the portal and country guidelines):

• Completed application form (from portal or embassy/authority). (SERI)

• Academic CV/resume. (SERI)

• Motivation letter (2 pages max). (SERI)

• Detailed research proposal or study plan with timeline. (SERI)

• Letter of support from Swiss academic supervisor (with their CV). (SERI)

• Two academic references. (SERI)

• Academic transcripts and certificates (with certified translations if not in English, French, German, or Italian). (SERI)

• Passport copy. (SERI)

• Medical certificate, if required. (SERI)

Selection Criteria: What Reviewers Look For

The Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) evaluates applications based on three core areas: (SERI)

1. Applicant’s academic profile

2. Quality and originality of the research proposal or artistic work

3. Context and potential for future academic cooperation

Strong applications typically demonstrate clear academic goals, relevance to the Swiss host environment, and a solid plan for future impact.

Practical Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Start early: Finding a supervisor and drafting a strong proposal can take weeks.

• Tailor your proposal: Align it closely with your host’s research focus and Switzerland’s academic strengths.

• Follow instructions meticulously: Use official forms and respect word/page limits.

• Get strong references: Choose referees familiar with your research potential.

• Professional presentation: Ensure translations and formatting are error-free.

Official Links & Apply Now

Official Program Page: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Federal Offices
👉 (https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships) (SERI)

Country List & Deadlines: A-Z list of countries and deadlines (PDF)
👉 (https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/content/dam/sbfi/en/dokumente/2025/A-Z_list.pdf) (SERI)

Apply Portal: Go.ESKAS Login & Application
👉 (https://go.eskas.ch/LoginServlet)

FAQ: Common Questions

1. Can I apply without a Swiss academic supervisor?
No — a letter of support from a Swiss host supervisor is mandatory. (SERI)

2. Is the scholarship applicable for undergraduate studies?
No — research, PhD, postdoctoral, and limited arts (initial master’s) scholarships only. (SERI)

3. Can I apply while residing in Switzerland?
Yes, but only if you have been in Switzerland less than 12 months before start date. (Edu Live)

4. Are language test results (TOEFL/IELTS) required?
As of last verification, the official page does not specify universal language test requirements — check your host institution’s requirements.

5. Can I hold another scholarship simultaneously?
As of last verification, the official guidelines indicate that additional funding must be reported and may affect status — confirm in the portal. (SERI)

Call to Action

👉 Ready to apply? Start your application now on the Go.ESKAS official portal: https://go.eskas.ch/LoginServlet and begin your journey to Switzerland!
(Check country deadlines and eligibility early to avoid missing out.)

Disclaimer: While this article draws from official sources, double-check all deadlines and requirements on the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships website and application portal, as details may change year to year.