CHF 2,450 Monthly Swiss PhD Scholarship

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

• Master's degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027 (30 June 2027 for ETH Zurich)
• Born after 31 December 1991 (the programme states a maximum age of 35)
• Citizen of an eligible country. Not offered in 2027/28 to Andorra, Canada, France, Greece, Greenland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain or Sweden
• A letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland authorised to supervise doctoral theses, with a short CV
• A detailed research proposal on the FCS form, up to 5 pages
• CV, a motivation letter of up to 2 pages, two recommendation letters from professors, transcripts and a passport copy
• For a doctoral school: proof of admission to the school submitted with the application
• If already living in Switzerland, date of entry no earlier than 1 August 2026
• Not eligible: previous Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders, a fourth attempt after three unsuccessful ones, or multiple simultaneous applications
• United States citizens apply first through the Fulbright US Student Program; only Fulbright semi-finalists may then apply via GO ESKAS