CHF 2,450 Monthly Swiss PhD Scholarship
- Organization: Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS / ESKAS), State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)
- Type: Scholarship
- Location: Global
- Deadline: November 10, 2026
- Funding: Partially Funded
The Swiss Confederation's Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) funds early career researchers from about 180 countries to do their PhD at a Swiss university, federal institute of technology or ETH research institute. The scholarship pays CHF 2,450 a month for up to three years, starting 1 September 2027. You need a Master's degree and a professor in Switzerland willing to supervise you before you apply, and the closing date depends on your country, so check your own. **What you get:** - CHF 2,450 a month towards basic living costs for one person, for 12 months, renewable twice up to 36 months for a PhD - Compulsory health insurance premiums paid, for holders from non-EU/EFTA countries - A return flight allowance at the end, for holders from non-EU/EFTA countries (amount set by country of origin) - A one-time CHF 600 grant towards a rental deposit - A Half-Fare Travelcard for Swiss public transport - Excursions and activities organised for federal scholarship holders **What you'll do:** - Carry out full-time doctoral research at a Swiss cantonal university, university of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL or one of the four ETH Domain research institutes (PSI, WSL, Empa, Eawag) - Live in the city or canton of your host institution for the length of the scholarship - Work under a Swiss academic supervisor who has agreed to guide your project **Key dates:** - Applications opened 20 August 2026 for most countries (some open 28 August, 1 September, 4 September or, for Bulgaria, 3 November 2026) - Deadlines are set by country of origin, at 11:59 PM Swiss local time. Check your own country in the official A-Z list before applying - 6 October 2026: United States (applied through Fulbright first) and Belize - 13 October 2026: Hungary, Iceland, Tunisia - 27 October 2026: Brazil, Cyprus, Ecuador, Mozambique - 30 and 31 October 2026: Bangladesh, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan - 10 November 2026: India, Germany, Egypt, Argentina, Armenia and others - 13 November 2026: United Kingdom, Finland, Algeria, Ethiopia, Peru and others - 27 November 2026: Australia, Nigeria, Ghana, Philippines and others - 30 November 2026: Kenya, South Africa, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Uganda and others - Decisions announced by the end of May 2027 at the latest - Scholarship starts 1 September 2027 **More information:** - Official A-Z list of countries, scholarship types, deadlines and embassy contacts: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/dam/en/sd-web/yBYiu8PC4jzg/2026-09-01_A_Z_List_of_countries_and_territories_complete.pdf - FAQ for applicants and supervisors: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/faq-swiss-government-excellence-scholarships - Applications are made only online through GO ESKAS, never by email or on paper - Applying is free. SERI warns of fake Swiss Government scholarship offers asking for money; never send money to anyone
