Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars

Overview of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Program
Types of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Scholarship Value and Benefits
Eligibility criteria
Selection Criteria for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is open to highly qualified individuals from various academic backgrounds and nationalities, making it one of the most inclusive scholarship programs in Europe. To ensure that only the best candidates are selected, the eligibility criteria are strict and vary based on the type of scholarship and the applicant’s country of origin. Below, we’ll delve into the different eligibility criteria and requirements to help you determine if you are eligible to apply for this prestigious scholarship.

Types of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are divided into several categories, catering to different types of applicants based on their academic backgrounds and areas of interest:

Research Scholarships: These scholarships are available to postgraduate researchers in any discipline who are planning to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or postdoctoral level. Applicants must be nominated by an academic mentor at a Swiss university or research institution.
Art Scholarships: Art scholarships are offered to students wishing to pursue a master’s degree in Switzerland in artistic fields such as music, fine arts, and design. This category is open only to students from a limited number of countries and is typically awarded based on the applicant’s artistic portfolio and achievements.

Scholarship Value and Benefits

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide comprehensive financial support and numerous academic benefits to scholarship recipients. The support package varies based on the type of scholarship and the applicant’s academic level, ensuring that students have the resources they need to focus on their studies and research without financial burden. The following table outlines the scholarship value and benefits in detail:

Benefit	Details
Monthly Stipend	CHF 1,920 - CHF 3,500 (depending on the academic level and scholarship type)
Health Insurance	Comprehensive health insurance coverage for the duration of the scholarship period
Tuition Fee Waiver	Waiver of tuition fees at participating Swiss universities
Housing Allowance	Monthly housing allowance to help cover accommodation costs
Travel Grant	One-time travel grant for international travel expenses
Language Course	Free enrollment in a language course to facilitate integration into Swiss culture and society

These benefits are designed to alleviate the financial challenges of studying abroad and allow students to focus entirely on their academic and research pursuits. Additionally, the scholarship offers unique opportunities for networking and cultural exchange, further enhancing the recipients' overall experience in Switzerland.

Awards

The FCS will announce its decisions regarding the new scholarship awards by the end of May at the latest.

Eligibility Criteria for International Scholars

The eligibility criteria for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship depend on multiple factors, including the applicant’s academic qualifications, nationality, research focus, and age. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key eligibility requirements:

Nationality and Country-Specific Requirements
- The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is available to students and researchers from over 180 countries worldwide. Each country has specific guidelines and quotas, which are published annually by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).
- Applicants must be citizens of one of the eligible countries. Dual citizens are permitted to apply, but they must meet the eligibility criteria for their country of primary nationality.
Academic Qualifications
- Research Scholarships: Applicants must hold a recognized master’s degree (or equivalent) completed before the start of the scholarship period. This applies to those pursuing PhD or postdoctoral research.
- Art Scholarships: For art scholarships, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant artistic field. They must also demonstrate exceptional artistic talent through their portfolios and academic records.
Previous Education and Academic Record
- Applicants should have a strong academic track record, with a GPA or percentage that meets the minimum requirement set by the scholarship guidelines. An excellent academic record is crucial, as the scholarship is highly competitive.
- Research applicants must have a well-defined research proposal with significant academic and social value. This proposal should align with the academic priorities of Swiss universities and research institutions.
Language Requirements
- Since Swiss universities use multiple languages (English, French, German, and Italian) depending on the location, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction for their chosen program.
- Most universities require English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL scores) for international students, while others may require proof of proficiency in French, German, or Italian.
Age Limit
- There are age restrictions based on the category of the scholarship:
  - Research Scholarships: Applicants must be born after January 1, 1985, for PhD scholarships.
  - Postdoctoral Research: Applicants must not have completed their PhD more than five years before the start of the scholarship.
  - Art Scholarships: No specific age limit is provided, but applicants are expected to be at an early stage in their artistic careers.

Eligible Institutions in Switzerland

The scholarship program includes a wide range of Swiss public universities, universities of applied sciences, and research institutions. Below is a list of participating institutions:

Institution Type	Participating Institutions
Federal Institutes of Technology	Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
Universities	University of Geneva, University of Zurich, University of Bern, University of Lausanne, University of Basel, University of Fribourg
Universities of Applied Sciences	Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)
Research Institutes	Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH)

Selection Criteria for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

Applications are subject to preliminary selection by the relevant national authorities and/or the Swiss diplomatic representation. The short-listed applications are then assessed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), which takes the final decision.

The FCS assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria:

Candidate profile
Quality of the research project or artistic work
Synergies and potential for future research cooperation

The FCS is composed of professors from Swiss public universities. Scholarship awards are decided on the basis of academic and scientific excellence.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: The deadlines for submitting applications for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship usually vary by country and institution. Generally, the deadlines fall between December and February of the academic year for which you are applying. It’s essential to check the specific deadlines for your country and chosen institution well in advance. (India : September - December)

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply