Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
Swiss Confederation – Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS)
📌About the Event
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 are offered by the Swiss Confederation to talented international researchers to promote academic exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 countries. For applicants from India, the current cycle offers Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships at eligible Swiss universities and research institutions.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Programme Type: International research and doctoral scholarship
- Available for Indian Applicants: Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship
- Mode of Application: Online through the official GO ESKAS application portal.
- Applications sent through email or as paper copies are not accepted.
- Applicants can undertake research at eligible Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL and recognised institutes within the ETH Domain.
- An eligible academic supervisor in Switzerland must support the proposed research project.
📅 Important Dates
- Application Opening Date for India: 20 August 2026
- Application Deadline for India: 10 November 2026, 11:59 PM Swiss local time
- Master’s Degree Completion Deadline: 31 July 2027
- For ETH Zurich Applicants: Master’s degree must be completed by 30 June 2027.
- Scholarship Start Date: 1 September 2027
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Eligibilty:
- Applicants must generally have a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- Applicants must have been born after 31 December 1991.
- Research Fellowship applicants should be early-career researchers pursuing a PhD in their home country.
- PhD Scholarship applicants must be highly qualified researchers intending to pursue a full-time doctorate in Switzerland.
- Applicants need a detailed research proposal and timeline outlining milestones and planned activities.
- A letter of support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss institution is compulsory.
- Applicants already living in Switzerland must generally have entered the country no earlier than 1 August 2026.
🏆 Benefits for the Participants
- Monthly Scholarship: CHF 2,450 to cover basic living expenses.
- Rental Support: One-time grant of CHF 600 towards the rental deposit.
- Health Insurance: Compulsory health insurance premiums are covered for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries, including Indian recipients.
- Public Transport Benefit: Half-Fare Travelcard for public transportation in Switzerland.
- Return Travel: Eligible non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders receive a return-flight allowance based on their country of origin