Applications are now open for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027, a competitive funding opportunity for outstanding students applying for master’s degree programmes at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland.
The fellowship provides CHF 10,000 per semester, with funding available for up to four semesters depending on the length of the Master’s programme. External candidates can also benefit from the reservation of a student room in a student residence.
International students can apply, including eligible applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries. The first application deadline for external candidates is 15 December 2026, while a second round closes on 31 March 2027.
EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | EPFL Master Excellence Fellowship |
| University | EPFL |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Degree Level | Master’s |
| Funding | CHF 10,000 per semester |
| Maximum Duration | Up to 4 semesters |
| Housing | Student-room reservation for external candidates |
| Eligible Applicants | International and domestic students |
| First Deadline | 15 December 2026 |
| Second Deadline | 31 March 2027 |
| Application | Integrated into the EPFL master’s application |
What Is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?
EPFL offers a limited number of Master Excellence Fellowships to exceptional students beginning master’s studies at the university.
The fellowship recognises candidates with outstanding academic records. However, academic grades are not the only consideration. EPFL also considers achievements in areas such as research, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, sports and artistic activities.
As a result, applicants with strong academic performance combined with significant extracurricular accomplishments may present particularly competitive profiles.
The fellowship is highly selective and is intended for students who are beginning an eligible EPFL Master’s programme.
EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027 Benefits
Successful candidates receive:
- CHF 10,000 per semester
- Funding for up to four semesters, depending on programme duration
- Reservation of a student room for external candidates
- EPFL Certificate of Excellence upon successful completion of the Master’s programme
For a 120-credit Master’s programme, fellowship support can reach up to CHF 40,000 over four semesters.
For a 90-credit master’s programme, the maximum coverage is generally for three semesters.
However, applicants should understand an important distinction: the EPFL Excellence Fellowship is not a full scholarship covering every university and living expense.
Is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship Fully Funded?
No.
The EPFL Excellence Fellowship should not be advertised as a fully funded scholarship.
Although CHF 10,000 per semester represents substantial financial support, fellowship recipients remain responsible for expenses such as:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation costs
- Food
- Transportation
- Health insurance
- Personal expenses
- Other living costs
For external candidates, EPFL reserves a student room, but the fellowship does not mean that the accommodation is free. Students remain responsible for paying their rent.
Therefore, applicants should prepare additional financial resources to cover expenses that exceed the fellowship amount.
Who Can Apply for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?
Anyone applying to an eligible EPFL Master’s programme can be considered for the fellowship, provided they meet the applicable requirements.
External applicants who obtained their bachelor’s degree from another university can apply.
However, candidates who already hold a master’s degree are not eligible for the Excellence Fellowship. Students already enrolled in an EPFL Master’s programme are also subject to the specific eligibility rules of the fellowship.
Furthermore, each applicant may apply to only one EPFL Master’s programme per year.
Can Cameroonians, Nigerians and Ghanaians Apply?
Yes.
The EPFL Excellence Fellowship is open internationally. Therefore, eligible applicants from Africa can apply.
This includes students from:
- Cameroon
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Ethiopia
- Tanzania
- South Africa
- Senegal
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- and other African countries.
Applicants from Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and other regions can also compete for the fellowship.
Nationality alone does not determine selection. Candidates must first be academically competitive to gain admission to an EPFL Master’s programme.
EPFL Master’s Programmes
EPFL offers a wide range of Master’s programmes across science, engineering, technology and interdisciplinary fields.
Depending on their previous academic background, international applicants may find programmes in the following areas:
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Cyber Security
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computational Science and Engineering
- Robotics
- Financial Engineering
- Life Sciences Engineering
- Sustainable Management and Technology
- Architecture and related disciplines
Applicants should carefully verify the admission requirements for their chosen programme, as academic prerequisites differ between master’s programmes.
Selection Criteria
The EPFL Excellence Fellowship is designed for exceptionally strong applicants.
Academic performance is a major consideration. Nevertheless, EPFL also considers achievements outside the classroom.
These may include:
- Research experience
- Academic publications
- Academic prizes
- Previous fellowships
- Entrepreneurship
- Patent applications
- Start-up activities
- Civic or community engagement
- Leadership
- Sports
- Artistic achievements
- Organisation of events and initiatives
Therefore, applicants should ensure that significant achievements are clearly presented in their Master’s application.
Receiving admission to EPFL does not automatically mean receiving the Excellence Fellowship. Only a limited number of applicants are selected.
Documents Required
One major advantage for external applicants is that EPFL does not require a completely separate set of fellowship documents.
External candidates apply for the fellowship through the regular EPFL Master’s application.
Therefore, they should prepare all the documents required for their chosen master’s programme. Depending on the programme and the applicant, these may include the following:
- Online master’s application
- Academic transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or appropriate academic documentation
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement or motivation documents required for admission
- Recommendation letters
- Identification documents
- Other programme-specific documents
Applicants should follow the requirements shown in the EPFL Master’s application system.
Is IELTS or TOEFL required for the fellowship?
There is no separate compulsory English-language certificate specifically for the Excellence Fellowship evaluation.
EPFL states that additional documents such as TOEFL or GRE results may be submitted, but they are not compulsory for the Excellence Fellowship itself and do not influence fellowship evaluation.
However, applicants must still meet the admission requirements for their chosen master’s programme.
Therefore, students must clearly differentiate between the requirements for the fellowship and those for admission to the master’s programme.
How to Apply for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027
External applicants do not need to submit a separate scholarship application.
Instead:
- Choose an eligible EPFL Master’s programme.
- Review the admission requirements for the programme.
- Prepare all required documents.
- Complete the online EPFL Master’s application.
- Complete the online EPFL Master’s application. Locate the section concerning the Excellence Fellowship.
- Tick the box indicating that you want your profile considered for the fellowship.
- Complete and submit the Master’s application before the applicable deadline.
For external candidates, no additional fellowship-specific documents are required beyond the documents needed for the Master’s admission application.
EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027 Deadlines
External applicants have two application rounds:
First Round
15 December 2026
Applicants selected during the first round are expected to receive fellowship decisions around the beginning of April.
Second Round
31 March 2027
Candidates selected during the second round are generally notified in early to mid-June.
Applicants do not need to submit applications in both rounds. They should choose the appropriate master’s application round and request fellowship consideration within that application.
Fellowship Renewal Requirements
Receiving the fellowship initially does not mean that subsequent payments are unconditional.
To renew the fellowship after the first year, recipients must maintain strong academic performance.
EPFL currently requires fellowship holders to:
- Achieve an overall weighted average of at least 5.0 out of 6.0
- Earn at least 50 eligible ECTS credits during the first master’s year
Students who fail to meet the renewal requirements can lose subsequent fellowship payments.
Therefore, recipients must maintain excellent academic performance after arriving at EPFL.
Can the Fellowship Be Combined With Other Scholarships?
The EPFL Excellence Fellowship generally cannot be combined with another substantial scholarship.
Applicants are required to declare scholarships they receive during their master’s studies.
Students who expect to receive funding from another organisation should therefore check the applicable fellowship rules before accepting multiple awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027 open to international students?
Yes. International applicants applying for eligible EPFL Master’s programmes can compete for the fellowship.
Can Cameroonian students apply?
Yes. Eligible students from Cameroon can apply.
Can Nigerian and Ghanaian students apply?
Yes. Applicants from Nigeria and Ghana can apply, provided they meet the admission requirements for their chosen EPFL Master’s programme.
How much is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?
The fellowship provides CHF 10,000 per semester.
Is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship fully funded?
No. Recipients remain responsible for tuition fees, rent and other living expenses.
Is accommodation included?
External fellowship recipients receive a reservation for a student room, but accommodation is not free. Students must pay their housing expenses.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
No. External candidates request fellowship consideration within the EPFL Master’s application by checking the appropriate box.
What is the first deadline?
The first application deadline for external candidates is 15 December 2026. A second application round closes on 31 March 2027.
Final Thoughts
The EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027 is a valuable opportunity for academically outstanding students who want to pursue a master’s degree at one of Switzerland’s leading science and technology institutions.
Successful candidates receive CHF 10,000 per semester, potentially reaching CHF 40,000 for programmes covered over four semesters. External candidates also benefit from the reservation of student accommodation.
However, this opportunity should not be confused with a fully funded scholarship. Recipients remain responsible for tuition, rent and other living expenses.
Applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can apply, alongside students from other parts of the world.
The first deadline is 15 December 2026, while the second application round closes on 31 March 2027.
Official Links
EPFL Master Excellence Fellowship:
https://www.epfl.ch/education/master/master-excellence-fellowships/
Application and Deadlines:
https://www.epfl.ch/education/master/master-excellence-fellowships/how-to-apply/
