Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2026 – How to Study in Switzerland for Free
Switzerland Has Some of the World’s Best Universities and a Government Scholarship That Foreigners Rarely Apply For
Switzerland is home to ETH Zurich, consistently ranked among the top five universities in the world. It is home to EPFL, one of the world’s leading technical universities. It hosts the University of Geneva, the University of Zurich, the University of Basel, and a collection of other institutions that contribute disproportionately to global scientific and academic output for a country of 8 million people.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship has been awarding fellowships to international researchers and artists since 1961. Despite this decades-long track record, the scholarship remains genuinely underapplied for by students from African, South Asian, and Latin American countries, primarily because Switzerland does not market itself as a scholarship destination in the same way the UK, USA, or Germany do.
That is your advantage.
What the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Is and Who Offers It
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is awarded by the Swiss Confederation through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). It is not a scholarship offered by an individual university. It is a federal government award that funds study or research at any accredited Swiss higher education institution.
The scholarship has two main tracks:
Research Fellowships (Postgraduate)
For foreign researchers who want to conduct postdoctoral research or pursue a doctoral degree at a Swiss university or research institution. This track is the most widely available and covers the broadest range of academic disciplines.
Arts Fellowships
For foreign artists who want to pursue studies or projects at Swiss universities of arts or conservatories. This track covers music, fine arts, design, film, and performing arts at the postgraduate level.
What the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Covers
- Monthly stipend: CHF 1,920 per month for doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers
- Health and accident insurance: Covered by the scholarship
- Accommodation support: A housing allowance supplement on top of the stipend, or accommodation in certain institutions
- Tuition: For most Swiss institutions, tuition fees are waived or significantly reduced for scholarship holders
- Airline ticket allowance: A contribution toward your travel costs to Switzerland, subject to specific conditions
At CHF 1,920 per month (approximately USD 2,100), the stipend is calibrated to the Swiss cost of living, which is high by global standards. However, combined with accommodation support and health insurance, the package covers reasonable student living costs in Swiss cities.
Who Can Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2026
Eligibility by Academic Level
- The scholarship is for postgraduate study, specifically doctoral and postdoctoral levels
- Artists pursuing postgraduate arts programmes are also eligible
- Undergraduate study is not covered by this scholarship
Nationality Requirements
The scholarship is available to citizens of specific eligible countries. Switzerland publishes an annual eligible country list through its embassy network. The list covers most countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and parts of Eastern Europe. Citizens of EU and EEA countries are generally not eligible (Swiss bilateral agreements with EU countries mean EU students access Switzerland through different mechanisms).
African countries commonly on the eligible list include: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and others. Always confirm your country’s current eligibility with the Swiss Embassy in your country before beginning your application.
Academic Requirements
- For research fellowships: A master’s degree or its equivalent from a recognised university, with strong academic standing
- For postdoctoral fellowships: A completed PhD
- For arts fellowships: A relevant arts qualification at bachelor’s or master’s level with a portfolio
Language
Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. The language requirement for your fellowship depends on where you study and in what language your research or coursework is conducted. Many research fellowships at ETH Zurich and EPFL are conducted in English, which is the standard research language in STEM fields at Swiss universities. Humanities and social science programmes may require German or French.
Confirm the language of instruction at your target Swiss institution before applying.
How to Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2026
Step 1: Apply Through the Swiss Embassy in Your Home Country
Unlike many scholarships with centralised online portals, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is applied for through the Swiss Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Each embassy manages the national application process and submits nominations to the FCS in Switzerland.
Contact the Swiss Embassy in your country to obtain the current application package, which includes the application form, required document list, and local deadline.
Step 2: Identify Your Host Institution and Supervisor
For research fellowships, you must identify a Swiss university and ideally a specific supervisor or research group that will host you. Reaching out to a potential Swiss supervisor before applying and obtaining a letter of support or acceptance significantly strengthens your application.
Switzerland’s universities have faculty profiles and research group pages on their websites. Browse these to find academics whose work aligns with yours and make contact before submitting your application.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application Documents
Typical documents required include:
- Completed application form from the Swiss Embassy
- Research or study plan (for research fellowships, this is the critical document)
- Academic transcripts from all university degrees
- Degree certificates
- Two or three letters of recommendation from academic supervisors or professional referees
- Letter of support from a Swiss supervisor or institution (highly recommended, sometimes required)
- Curriculum vitae
- List of publications (for postdoctoral applicants)
- Portfolio (for arts fellowships)
- Passport copy
- Language proficiency evidence (if required for your specific programme)
Step 4: Submit by the Local Embassy Deadline
National embassy deadlines for the Swiss Excellence Scholarship typically fall between November and January for fellowships beginning the following academic year. Confirm the exact deadline with the Swiss Embassy in your country as early as possible.
Swiss Universities: What You Are Getting Access To
ETH Zurich
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology is consistently ranked as one of the top five technical universities in the world. It has produced 22 Nobel laureates and is a global leader in physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. The ETH main campus is in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and financial centre.
EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne)
EPFL is Switzerland’s French-language technical university, based in Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is ranked among the world’s top 15 universities for engineering and technology and has particularly strong programmes in life sciences, microengineering, and digital humanities.
University of Zurich
Switzerland’s largest university and a comprehensive research institution with particular strength in life sciences, medicine, law, and social sciences.
University of Geneva
Located in Geneva, home to the UN, WHO, WTO, CERN, and scores of other international organisations, the University of Geneva has natural strengths in international relations, law, public health, and related fields. For researchers interested in working at the intersection of academia and international organisations, Geneva is uniquely positioned.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
Is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship fully funded?
It is comprehensively funded. The monthly stipend of CHF 1,920, combined with health insurance and accommodation support, covers the basic costs of living in Switzerland during the fellowship period. Tuition waivers or reductions apply at most institutions.
Can Nigerian or Kenyan students apply for the Swiss scholarship?
Yes. Both Nigeria and Kenya are typically on the eligible country list. Applications go through the Swiss Embassy in Lagos or Abuja for Nigerian applicants, and through the Swiss Embassy in Nairobi for Kenyan applicants.
Is there an age limit for the Swiss Excellence Scholarship?
The FCS recommends that applicants for research fellowships be under 35 years of age for doctoral candidates and under 45 for postdoctoral researchers. These are guidelines rather than absolute restrictions and the application form may be considered based on individual circumstances.
Can I apply for the Swiss scholarship without having a Swiss supervisor?
You can submit the application without a confirmed Swiss supervisor, but having a supervisor’s letter of support or acceptance significantly improves your chances. The research plan you submit must be credible in the Swiss research context, and a supervisor who vouches for your research proposal demonstrates that credibility.
