Applications are now open for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028, one of Switzerland’s major government-funded scholarship programmes for international researchers.
The Swiss Confederation funds the programme to support talented researchers from 183 countries who wish to undertake doctoral studies or advanced research at eligible universities and research institutions in Switzerland.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, successful research and PhD scholars receive CHF 2,450 per month alongside additional benefits. Applications opened in August 2026, while deadlines vary according to the applicant’s country of origin.
Importantly, applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and many other African countries can apply. For Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana, the current application deadline is November 27, 2026.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 Overview
Here are the main details:
- Host Country: Switzerland
- Scholarship: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- Academic Year: 2027–2028
- Study Level: Research and PhD
- Eligible Countries: 183 countries
- Monthly Scholarship: CHF 2,450
- Research Fellowship Duration: 6–12 months
- PhD Funding: Initially 12 months, renewable up to 36 months
- Application Fee: Free
- Applications Opened: August 2026
- Start Date: September 1, 2027
- Cameroon Deadline: November 27, 2026
- Nigeria Deadline: November 27, 2026
- Ghana Deadline: November 27, 2026
- Other Countries: Deadlines vary
What Are the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
The Swiss Confederation offers the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships every year to promote international research cooperation between Switzerland and other countries.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) oversees the selection process.
Unlike conventional scholarships designed mainly for taught Master’s programmes, these research scholarships target researchers who want to undertake advanced academic work in Switzerland.
Therefore, applicants should understand the nature of the programme before applying. For 2027–2028, the programme will focus strongly on doctoral and research-level opportunities rather than on general Master’s funding.
Types of Swiss Government Scholarships Available in 2027
International researchers can consider two important funding routes.
1. Research Fellowship
The Research Fellowship allows early-career researchers who are already pursuing a PhD to conduct part of their doctoral research in Switzerland.
Moreover, the fellowship covers different academic disciplines and supports full-time research.
The research fellowship generally lasts between 6 and 12 months. However, scholars cannot extend it beyond the approved period.
Successful recipients receive CHF 2,450 per month.
2. PhD Scholarship
The PhD Scholarship supports highly qualified applicants who want to pursue doctoral research at an eligible Swiss university or research institution.
Applicants must complete an appropriate master’s degree or equivalent before the relevant 2027 deadline.
Initially, the scholarship covers 12 months. However, scholars who demonstrate satisfactory academic progress may receive two extensions. Consequently, the total funding period can reach 36 months.
PhD scholars also receive CHF 2,450 per month.
No Postdoctoral Scholarship for 2027–2028
Applicants should pay particular attention to an important change because many older scholarship articles online now contain outdated information.
The Swiss government will no longer award postdoctoral scholarships from the 2027–2028 academic year onwards.
Switzerland changed the programme’s funding structure after increasing the monthly scholarship amount. As a result, the programme now places greater emphasis on doctoral scholarships.
Therefore, researchers searching specifically for a Swiss government postdoctoral scholarship should not rely on information from previous application cycles.
Swiss Government Scholarship Benefits
Successful scholars receive significant financial and academic support during their stay in Switzerland.
Most importantly, recipients receive a CHF 2,450 monthly scholarship to help meet basic living expenses.
Depending on the scholarship conditions, additional benefits can include:
- CHF 2,450 monthly scholarship
- One-time CHF 600 housing allowance
- Compulsory health and accident insurance for eligible non-EU/EFTA scholars
- Travel-related support under applicable programme rules
- Access to research facilities at the host institution
- Opportunities to collaborate with established researchers in Switzerland
Nevertheless, applicants should remember that the scholarship is not legally considered a salary.
Furthermore, the funding does not necessarily cover every possible expense. Scholars may still need to pay certain university, semester, personal or research-related costs.
Who Can Apply?
The research scholarships target highly qualified international researchers from eligible countries.
Generally, applicants for the Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship should:
- Hold a master’s degree or equivalent
- Complete the master’s degree by July 31, 2027
- Meet the applicable earlier date for ETH Zurich where required
- Meet the programme’s age requirements
- Present a strong and original research proposal
- Secure an eligible academic supervisor in Switzerland
- Obtain the required support from that supervisor
- Meet their country-specific conditions
- Undertake the proposed research full-time in Switzerland
In addition, applicants already residing in Switzerland should carefully review the programme’s residence-related restrictions.
Can African Students Apply?
Yes. Applicants from many African countries can participate in the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028.
Eligible countries include Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, Zimbabwe and many others.
However, Switzerland determines available scholarship categories and deadlines according to the applicant’s country of origin.
For many African applicants, the main opportunities are the Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship.
Therefore, applicants should not confuse this programme with the general Swiss Government Master’s scholarship available for any taught degree.
Deadline for Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana
For the 2027–2028 cycle, the deadline for applicants from each country is as follows:
- Cameroon: November 27, 2026
- Nigeria: November 27, 2026
- Ghana: November 27, 2026
Meanwhile, applicants from other African countries may have different deadlines.
Since Switzerland processes applications based on the country of origin, every candidate should verify the official country information before submitting their application.
Finding a Swiss Academic Supervisor
Finding an academic supervisor is one of the most important parts of the application process.
In fact, applicants should begin this step early rather than waiting until they have prepared every other document.
The supervisor must work at an eligible Swiss institution and support the proposed research project. Furthermore, PhD applicants need an academic who can appropriately supervise their doctoral research.
As a result, applicants should identify researchers whose academic interests closely match their proposed projects.
When contacting potential supervisors, introduce yourself professionally, explain your research interests and show how your proposed work connects with their expertise.
Where Can You Conduct Your Research?
Successful applicants can conduct research at eligible Swiss institutions, including:
- Swiss cantonal universities
- Federal Institutes of Technology
- Universities of Applied Sciences
- Recognised Swiss research institutes
For example, eligible institutions may include internationally recognised universities and research centres, such as ETH Zurich and EPFL, subject to programme conditions and appropriate academic supervision.
Therefore, applicants have access to a wide research environment rather than a single participating university.
Swiss Government Scholarship Selection Criteria
Meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee selection. Instead, the selection committee evaluates the overall strength of each application.
Three areas are particularly important.
Academic Profile
First, selectors examine the applicant’s academic background, research ability and motivation.
A strong academic record can help. However, applicants should also demonstrate their capacity to conduct independent research.
Quality of the Research Proposal
Second, the proposed project should demonstrate originality, clear objectives and an appropriate methodology.
Therefore, applicants should avoid submitting a generic proposal. Instead, the proposal should clearly explain the research problem, methods and expected contribution.
Research Collaboration
Finally, selectors consider the quality of the proposed supervision and the potential for long-term research cooperation.
Applicants should therefore demonstrate why Switzerland and their chosen host institution provide an appropriate environment for the proposed project.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare their documents carefully.
Depending on the scholarship category and country requirements, documents may include:
- Academic CV
- Motivation letter
- Detailed research proposal
- Research timetable
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Swiss supervisor’s support letter
- Supervisor’s short CV
- Recommendation letters
- Passport or identification documents
- Other country-specific documents
In addition, applicants may need certified translations when documents are not available in an accepted language.
Always follow the official checklist for your country and scholarship category.
How to Apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028
Step 1: Confirm Your Country Eligibility
First, check whether your country participates in the 2027–2028 programme.
You should also determine which scholarship categories are available for your nationality.
Step 2: Choose Your Scholarship Type
Next, determine whether the Research Fellowship or PhD Scholarship matches your academic situation.
Step 3: Develop Your Research Proposal
Prepare a focused research project with clear objectives, methodology, expected contribution and timeline.
Most importantly, your proposal should demonstrate that you understand the research problem you intend to investigate.
Step 4: Find a Supervisor in Switzerland
Next, identify professors or research group leaders working in your field.
Contact suitable academics professionally and explain how your proposed research connects with their expertise.
Step 5: Obtain the Supervisor’s Support
After identifying a suitable supervisor, obtain the required formal academic support.
Remember that applications without the necessary supervision will not meet the programme’s requirements.
Step 6: Prepare Your Documents
Next, gather your academic qualifications, transcripts, CV, research proposal, recommendations and other required documents.
Check every document carefully before submission.
Step 7: Apply Through GO ESKAS
Applicants now submit their applications through the official Grants Online (GO ESKAS) system.
Therefore, follow the current online application instructions rather than relying on older procedures that may mention paper or email applications.
Step 8: Submit Before Your Country Deadline
Finally, please ensure that you submit the complete application before your country’s deadline.
Remember that there is no single worldwide deadline. Each applicant must follow the closing date assigned to their country.
Is the Application Free?
Yes. Applicants do not pay an application fee for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
Moreover, the Swiss authorities warn applicants about fraudulent scholarship offers requesting payments for applications, visas or insurance.
Therefore, applicants should rely solely on official Swiss Government information and on authorised application channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
Research and PhD scholarship recipients receive CHF 2,450 per month.
Can Cameroonians apply?
Yes. Qualified Cameroonian researchers can apply for the scholarship categories available to Cameroon.
Can Nigerians and Ghanaians apply?
Yes. Qualified applicants from Nigeria and Ghana can also apply for the relevant research scholarship categories.
Is this a master’s scholarship?
Not in the usual sense of funding a general taught Master’s programme. The opportunities discussed here focus primarily on research and PhD study.
Is there a Swiss government postdoctoral scholarship in 2027?
No. The Swiss government has discontinued the postdoctoral scholarship category beginning with the 2027–2028 academic year.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
Yes. Applicants for the Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship need support from an appropriate academic supervisor in Switzerland.
What is the application deadline?
Deadlines vary according to nationality. For Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana, the deadline is November 27, 2026.
Final Thoughts
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 offer international researchers an excellent opportunity to pursue advanced research or doctoral training in Switzerland.
Successful scholars receive CHF 2,450 per month, additional support and access to some of Switzerland’s leading universities and research institutions.
Moreover, applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and many other African countries can apply.
However, candidates should remember that this programme focuses on research rather than on general taught master’s studies. Applicants also need an appropriate Swiss academic supervisor.
Therefore, interested researchers should begin identifying potential supervisors and developing strong research proposals well before their country-specific deadlines.
Official Links
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028:
https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships
Scholarship Types and Application Information:
https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-at-a-glance
