Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

 

Foreign Scholars interested in pursuing their postgraduate studies and research in Switzerland can apply for Government Excellence Scholarships from the Swiss Government.

In order to apply for a postgraduate scholarship one must hold at least a Master's Degree. A scholarship can be awarded in all disciplines and is valid at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences and at the two federal institutes for technology.

Further Information on the scholarship program in general can be found here:

Federal Commission for Scholarships

Will you be my supervisor? (PDF, 126 KB)

Information on the range of PhD study programs at the University of Zurich can be found on our UZH website:

UZH PhD study programs

Three different types of scholarships, at PhD and Postdoc level

At the University of Zurich, we support three different types of scholarships:

PhD Scholarship, full PhD degree-program (up to max. 36 months)
for highly qualified PhD students from all academic fields. Please find all relevant information in this document: 

PhD scholarship (PDF, 87 KB)

Postdoctoral Scholarship (12 months without prolongation)
for highly qualified postdoctoral fellows from all academic fields.

Please find all relevant information in this document: 

Postdoctoral scholarship (PDF, 76 KB)

Research Scholarship (12 months without prolongation)
for highly qualified postgraduate researchers from all academic fields as well as young medical doctors.

Please find all relevant information in this document: 

Research scholarship (PDF, 76 KB)

Information for Supervising Professors

Application Period

Before accepting a candidate and before issuing a letter of commitment which is a prerequisite for the scholarship applicant, a thorough consideration is recommended with regard to:

• Academic competence
• Quality of the research project
• Skill to perform laboratory work independently if required by the project
• Language proficiency
• Personal contact and interview via Skype is highly recommended

Additional information concerning doctoral students/PhD scholarships:

• Pre-clarification through the Admissions Office as to whether the potential candidate can be admitted to an individual doctorate at UZH
• Clarification within the department of whether the mandatory additional funding can be guaranteed (see point "New responsibilities for UZH supervisors of of PhD scholarship holders  from HS22 on")
• Personal contact and interview via Skype is mandatory
• In the event that the doctorate cannot be completed within the granted funding period of 36 months, the supervisor is asked to financially support the scholarship holder in the completion of the dissertation or to assist in the application for funding
• The fellowship begins on 1 September of the respective calendar year. In general a start after 1 September is not possible

New responsibilities for UZH supervisors of PhD scholarship holders from HS 2022 on:

• All supervisors who have already committed to FCS scholarship holders up to and including HS 2021 are highly encouraged to ensure additional funding from HS 2021 if possible.
• From HS 2022 onwards, additional funding is mandatory for all upcoming supervisors who have not yet (status by spring semester 2021) committed to an FCS scholarship holder.
• The difference between the FCS fellowship and the minimum salary for SNF doctoral students is to be funded by the supervisor/institute .

Detailed information on the amount of the differential payment and on the employment of doctoral students with a federal scholarship can be found in the fact sheet "FCS Scholarship Holders".

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
• Institution(s): Swiss Government / Swiss Universities
• Study in: Switzerland
• Opportunity Focus Areas: See types below.
• Program Period: Depends on the chosen degree.
• Deadline: Country-specific. You can check from here

Eligibility Criteria for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

To qualify for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements below:

• Required Language: English.
• Eligible Countries: All world countries.
• Master’s degree or equivalent university degree achieved before 31 July 2024 (degree certificate) recognized by the Swiss university. As a proof, the degree has to 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 since more than one year at the beginning of the scholarship in September are not eligible.
• Applicants must provide a letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the research. Without such support, the application will be rejected.
• Applicants must have a research proposal including a time frame. This is the centerpiece of the application. The applicant must devote all required attention to it.
• Applicants must be in command of the necessary language skills required for the research/studies.
• Applicants who have already benefited from a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship.
• Scholarship holders are expected to move to Switzerland during their grant period.

How to Apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?

Please follow the following application instructions to Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships:

(1) Prepare the following documents:

1. Signed FCS application form (typed and printed) with
2. A full CV with list of academic publications, awards,
3. A motivation letter (max. 2 pages).
4. A complete research proposal (max. 5 pages, signed), using exclusively the FCS research proposal
5. A copy of the letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the research.
6. A short CV of the academic mentor at the home institution.
7. Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors in the applicant’s field (use exclusively the FCS reference form – originals in sealed envelopes only for the 1st set). No copies for 2nd set.
8. Photocopies of certificates and grade sheets from previously attended universities/colleges and diplomas with grades, starting with the most recent. If not in English, French, Italian or German with attested certified translations in English. Do not submit the original certificates.
9. Signed medical certificate (use only the FCS health certificate form).
10. Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data). Dual nationals add copies of both passports. Applicants already in Switzerland during the application procedure add a copy of the residence permit for Switzerland.

Apply Here