Swiss Government is offering Excellence Scholarships for German scholars in Switzerland. These scholarships are available for pursuing Ph.D., 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.

Application Deadline: December 2022

Brief Description

• Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing Fine arts, PhD, postdoctoral and research programs.
• Study Subject: Scholarships are offered in diverse fields to help students in upgrading their education.
• Scholarship Award: Scholarships will comprise of PhD Scholarships:
  • The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 1’920.
  • For non-EU and non-EFTA grantees only: mandatory Swiss health insurance is paid by the FCS.
  • There are no family allowances.
  • Scholarship holders from outside continental Europe receive a flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
  • Special CHF 300 housing allowance (paid once at the beginning of the scholarship).
  • One-year half-fare public transportation card.
  • Support services and various trips, dinners and sightseeing tours organised for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders.
  • PhD scholarship holders may request a supplementary allowance for fieldwork. For field trips lasting longer than 2 months the scholarship amount will be reduced to 50%.

  Postdoctoral scholarships:

  • The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 3’500.
  • For non-EU and non-EFTA grantees only: mandatory Swiss health insurance is paid by the FCS.
  • There are no family allowances.
  • Scholarship holders from outside continental Europe receive a flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
  • Special CHF 300 housing allowance (paid once at the beginning of the scholarship).
  • One-year half-fare public transportation card.
  • Support services and various trips, dinners and sightseeing tours organised for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders.

  Research scholarships

  • The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 1,920.
  • For non-EU and non-EFTA grantees only: mandatory Swiss health insurance is paid by the FCS.
  • There are no family allowances.
  • Scholarship holders from outside continental Europe receive a flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
  • Special CHF 300 housing allowance (paid once at the beginning of the scholarship).
  • One-year half-fare public transportation card.
  • Support services and various trips, dinners and sightseeing tours organised for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders.
• Fine Arts scholarships
  • The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 1,920.
  • For non-EU and non-EFTA grantees only: the FCS pays mandatory Swiss health insurance.
  • There are no family allowances.
  • Scholarship holders from non-EU and non-EFTA countries receive a flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
  • Special CHF 300 housing allowance (paid once at the beginning of the scholarship).
  • One-year half-fare public transportation card. Academic Year 2023-2024 – Germany
  • Support services and various trips, dinners and sightseeing tours organised for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders.
• Number of Scholarships: Not Known
• Nationality: Applicants from Germany
• Scholarship can be taken in Switzerland

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: Applicants from Germany can apply for the scholarship.
• Entrance Requirements:
  PhD Criteria

  • Master’s degree or equivalent university degree recognised by the Swiss university. The applicant must have achieved this degree before the start of the scholarship next September. As a proof the degree has to be submitted to the Federal Commission for Scholarships before the start of the scholarship.
  • Applicant’s date of birth after 31 December 1983.
  • Applicants who have been in Switzerland for more than one year at the beginning of the scholarship in September are not eligible.
  • Applicants must provide a letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the PhD thesis. Without such support, the application will be rejected.
  • Applicants must have a research proposal including a timeframe. This is the centrepiece of the application. The applicant must devote all required attention to it.
  • Applicants must be in command of the necessary language skills required for the PhD studies/ research.
  • Applicants who have already benefited from a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship.
  • Scholarship holders are expected to move to Switzerland during their grant period.

  Postdoctoral Criteria

  • PhD degree
  • No more than five years may have passed between the award of the PhD and the application deadline.
  • Applicants who are in Switzerland for more than one year at the beginning of the scholarship in September are not eligible.
  • Applicants must provide a letter (or email) from a professor at the Swiss host institution stating that they are willing and entitled to supervise the postdoctoral research. Without such confirmation, the application will be rejected.
  • Applicants must have a research proposal including a timeframe (this is the centrepiece of the application. The applicant must devote all required attention to it).
  • Applicants must be in command of the necessary language skills required for the postdoctoral research.
  • Applicants who have already benefited from a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship.

  Research Criteria

  • Master’s degree or equivalent university degree recognised by the Swiss university. The applicant must have achieved this degree before the start of the scholarship next September. As proof, the degree has to be submitted to the Federal Commission for Scholarships before the start of the scholarship.
  • Applicants must be born after 31 December 1983
  • Applicants who have been in Switzerland for more than one year at the beginning of the scholarship in September are not eligible.
  • Applicants must provide a letter from a professor at the Swiss host institution stating that she/he is willing to support and supervise the research. Without such support, the application will be rejected.
  • Applicants must have a research proposal including a timeframe. This is the centrepiece of the application. The applicant must devote all required attention to it.
  • Applicants must be in command of the necessary language skills required for the research/studies.
  • Applicants who have already benefited from a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship. Scholarship holders are expected to move to Switzerland during their grant period.
• 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: The application package can be obtained by e-mail from the Swiss Embassy. Please submit 3 sets (=1 original + 2 copies) of application documents in exact order given below: The 1st set contains the original, signed documents plus the confidential letters of recommendation and if applicable the attested translations. The other two sets are the copies of the 1st set except for the confidential letters of recommendation (only 1st set).

• Signed FCS application form (typed and printed) with photo.
• A full CV with a list of academic publications.
• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages).
• A complete research proposal (max. 5 pages, signed), using exclusively the FCS research proposal form.
• A copy of the letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the PhD thesis.
• For PhD scholarships at doctoral schools*: A proof that the applicant is being considered for admission. Except: EPFL: accepted admission required.
  *A support letter from a host professor is required in any case additionally.
• Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors in the applicant’s field (use exclusively the FCS reference form – originals in sealed envelopes only for the 1st set).
• Photocopies of certificates and grade sheets from previously attended universities/colleges and diplomas with grades, starting with the most recent. If not in English, French, Italian or German with attested certified translations.
• Signed medical certificate (use only the FCS health certificate form).
• Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data). Dual nationals add copies of both passports.
• Please do not put the documents into plastic folders or binders.

Scholarship Link