Swiss Government is offering the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists for the 2020-2021 academic year.  These scholarships are available for pursuing PhD, postdoctoral and research programs at one of the public-funded universities or recognized institution.

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.

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).

Applicants from outside the home country will often need to meet specific English language/other language requirements in order to be able to study there.

Scholarship Description:

• Application Deadline: December 2019 or vary country to country
• Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing PhD, postdoctoral and research programs.
• Study Subject: Scholarships are offered in diverse fields to help students in upgrading their education.
• Scholarship can be taken in Switzerland

Eligibility for the Scholarship:

• Eligible Countries: All nationalities
• Entrance Requirements:
• 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 the 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. Only candidates nominated by an academic mentor at one of these higher education institutions will be considered.
• Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial 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.
• English Language Requirements: Applicants from outside the home country will often need to meet specific English language/other language requirements in order to be able to study there.

Government Scholarships

Application Procedure:

• How to Apply: Applicants can apply at their host institution.
• A full curriculum vitae with a list of academic publications.
• A letter of motivation (max. 2 pages).
• A complete research proposal (max. 5 pages). Use only the official research proposal form provided with the application package.
• A copy of the letter or email from a professor at the chosen Swiss university confirming that they are willing to supervise the PhD studies.
• Include a short CV of your academic host supervisor.
• Short CV of your actual academic contact person/mentor at your home institution.
• Photocopies of all certificates and grade sheets from previously attended universities/colleges and diplomas with grades. (If the originals are not in English, French, German or
• The copies must be translated into one of these languages and attested. Attestations can be made by a university or government officer.)
• Two letters of recommendation from professors in the applicant’s field (use only the official reference form provided with the application package).
• A health certificate (use only the official health certificate provided with the application package).
• Each application set should contain two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data).

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

Scholarship Link