SRINAGAR: The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for 2025-2026 is a fully funded programme available to international students. This scholarship is offered for Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral studies.
The Swiss Scholarship is funded by the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) in partnership with the Swiss government. This prestigious scholarship is awarded to candidates from over 180 countries, making it accessible to participants of any nationality. Highly qualified postgraduate researchers from all academic disciplines, as well as young medical doctors, are eligible to apply for this programme.
The research scholarship is available to postgraduate researchers from any discipline who hold at least a Master’s degree and are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or postdoctoral level. These scholarships are awarded for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, the two federal institutes of technology, and the four research institutes.
Art scholarships are available to students wishing to pursue an initial Master’s degree in Switzerland. These scholarships are awarded for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts. However, they are only open to students from a select number of countries.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is December 1, 2024.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships offer the following benefits to recipients:
A monthly stipend of CHF 1,920. For grantees from non-EU and non-EFTA countries: the FCS covers mandatory Swiss health insurance. No family allowances are provided. Scholarship holders from non-EU and non-EFTA countries are eligible for a flight allowance (lump sum) for a return ticket to their country of origin, provided at the end of the scholarship. A one-time housing allowance of CHF 300, paid at the start of the scholarship. A one-year half-fare public transportation card. Support services, along with organised trips, dinners, and sightseeing tours for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders.
To qualify for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, candidates must meet all of the following requirements:
English language proficiency, a Master’s degree or an equivalent university degree must be obtained before 31 July 2024. The degree certificate must be recognized by the Swiss university, and proof of the degree must be submitted to the Federal Commission for Scholarships before the start of the scholarship. Applicants must be born after 31 December 1989. Applicants who have been in Switzerland for more than one year prior to the start of the scholarship in September are not eligible.
Applicants must provide a letter from an academic host professor (including a short CV) at the chosen Swiss university, confirming their willingness to supervise and support the research. Applications without such support will be rejected. Applicants must submit a research proposal with a defined time frame. This proposal is the central element of the application and must be given full attention. Applicants must possess the necessary language skills required for the research or studies. Applicants who have previously received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship. Scholarship holders are expected to reside in Switzerland during the entire grant period.
To apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, candidates must submit the following documents:
The application form must be typed, printed, and signed. Include a full curriculum vitae with a list of academic publications and awards. A letter of motivation not exceeding 2 pages. A complete research proposal of up to 5 pages, signed and using exclusively the FCS research proposal format. A copy of the letter from an academic host professor at the chosen Swiss university, including their short CV, confirming their willingness to supervise and support the research. A brief CV of the academic mentor from the applicant’s home institution. Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors in the applicant’s field. These must use the FCS reference form and be submitted as originals in sealed envelopes for the first set. No copies are required for the second set. Photocopies of certificates and grade sheets from previously attended universities or colleges, along with diplomas and grades, starting with the most recent. If these documents are not in English, French, Italian, or German, attested certified translations in English must be provided. Do not submit original certificates. A signed medical certificate using only the FCS health certificate form. Two copies of the applicant’s passport. Dual nationals should include copies of both passports. Applicants already in Switzerland during the application process should also add a copy of their Swiss residence permit.
For further details, go on to https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/oxford-experience/scholarships-and-funding/oxford-pershing-square-graduate-scholarships
