Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2025/2026
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The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are a prestigious initiative by Switzerland to attract talented researchers and artists from around the world. These scholarships provide a platform for recipients to engage with Switzerland’s world-class educational facilities and contribute to the global exchange of knowledge and cultural wealth. Organized by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), this program highlights Switzerland’s commitment to fostering international collaboration in education and research with more than 180 countries.
There are two main types of scholarships: one for researchers wishing to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or postdoctoral level, and the other for artists looking to pursue a first master’s degree in Switzerland.
Eligibility and Selection
To be eligible for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, applicants must:
- Hold an appropriate university degree for the intended level of study (a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent for Master’s applications, a Master’s degree for PhD programs, PhD enrollment for the research track, and a PhD for postdoctoral positions).
- Intend to contribute to the development of their home country after their studies.
- Have an excellent academic record and a convincing proposal for their stay in Switzerland.
Amount and Benefits of the Swiss Government Scholarships
The benefits associated with each of the main programs are as follows:
- Arts Master’s Track: These scholarships are for arts students wishing to pursue a Master’s in Switzerland. They are valued at CHF 1,920 per month (1 CHF = 1.06 Euros).
- Doctoral Track (PhD): Recipients receive a monthly payment of CHF 1,920.
- Postdoctoral Track: The scholarship provides a monthly payment of CHF 3,500.
- Research Track: Valued at CHF 1,920 per month.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by country. Each country has its own opening and closing dates. For Africa, here are the deadlines for applying for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships:
Application Opening Dates
- August 2, 2024: Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo.
- August 15, 2024: Tunisia.
- August 30, 2024: Cameroon and the Central African Republic.
- September 2, 2024: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Guinea.
Application Closing Dates
- November 8, 2024: Djibouti, Sudan
- November 10, 2024: Egypt
- November 11, 2024: Libya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- November 13, 2024: Algeria, Mozambique
- November 15, 2024: Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan
- November 28, 2024: Mali
- November 29, 2024: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Togo
- December 2, 2024: Mali
- December 13, 2024: Cape Verde, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal
- October 14, 2024: Tunisia
Application Process
Researchers and artists wishing to apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships must follow these steps:
- Download the application package: First, download the application package. This package contains the necessary forms and templates to prepare your application.
- Prepare your application: After downloading the documents, complete them carefully and print two copies of your full application.
- Submit your application: Applications must be sent by mail to the Swiss embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country.
The FCS will announce the selection results by the end of May at the latest.
Contact
The scholarship conditions (eligibility criteria, deadlines) vary depending on the country. For further information, refer to the list of official contacts:
- North America (PDF, 197 kB)
- South America (PDF, 205 kB)
- Europe (PDF, 96 kB)
- Africa (PDF, 90 kB)
- Asia (PDF, 212 kB)
- Australia and Oceania (PDF, 187 kB)
Please visit the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships program website for more details.
