Switzerland Government Scholarships for Foreign Students Open Next Week

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships program, aimed at fostering international exchange and research collaboration, is set to open applications on August 4, 2025. Each year, the Swiss Confederation offers these scholarships to outstanding early-career researchers from over 180 countries.

Who Can Apply?
The scholarships are designed for talented international researchers who have already completed a Master’s degree or PhD. Candidates must propose a research project to be conducted at a Swiss higher education institution and must secure a Swiss academic supervisor willing to support and guide their work.

Where Can Research Be Conducted?
Eligible institutions include:

Swiss cantonal universities
Universities of applied sciences
The two federal institutes of technology: ETH Zurich (ETHZ) and EPFL Lausanne
Research institutes within the ETH Domain: PSI, WSL, Empa, and Eawag

Types of Scholarships Available:

Research Fellowships
PhD Scholarships
Postdoctoral Scholarships

Funding Amounts:

Research Fellowships, PhD & Art Scholarships: CHF 1,920/month (approx. ₹2 lakh)
Postdoctoral Scholarships: CHF 3,500/month

These amounts are intended to cover the basic living expenses of one person during their stay in Switzerland.

Selection Criteria:
Applications will be evaluated by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) based on:

The applicant’s academic profile
The quality and feasibility of the proposed research or artistic project
The potential for future research collaboration between the applicant’s home country and Switzerland

How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted to the Swiss diplomatic mission in the applicant’s home country.

Important Dates: