Embark on your academic journey in Switzerland! Exciting news awaits – the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is now available. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the details of this prestigious scholarship, outlining its benefits and providing a step-by-step application guide.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year is a fully funded opportunity for international students.
It caters to individuals pursuing master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral studies. This scholarship encompasses a range of benefits, including a monthly stipend, exemption from tuition fees, health insurance coverage, airfare assistance, and a housing allowance.
Sponsored by the Federal Commission of Scholarships (FCS) in collaboration with the Swiss government, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship extends its support to applicants from over 180 countries. Eligibility is open to individuals of any nationality. This scholarship welcomes highly qualified postgraduate researchers across all academic disciplines, as well as young medical doctors.
The Research Scholarship is open to post-graduate researchers in any field, holding at least a master’s degree, who intend to conduct research or pursue further studies in Switzerland at the doctoral or post-doctoral level. These scholarships support research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, and the two federal institutes of technology.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Masters, 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
Swiss Government Scholarships come in two main types:
1. Research Scholarship:
– Available to post-graduate researchers in any field with at least a master’s degree.
– Intended for those planning research or further studies at the doctoral or post-doctoral level in Switzerland.
– Research scholarships support studies or research at Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, federal institutes of technology, and four research institutes.
– Candidates must be nominated by an academic mentor at one of these institutions to be considered.
2. Art Scholarship:
– Open to art students seeking to pursue an initial master’s degree in Switzerland.
– Designed for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts.
– This scholarship is available to students from select countries only.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for 2021 offer recipients the following benefits:
– A monthly stipend of CHF 1,920.
– For grantees from non-EU and non-EFTA countries: mandatory Swiss health insurance covered by the FCS.
– No family allowances are provided.
– Grantees from non-EU and non-EFTA countries receive a flight allowance (lump sum) for return travel to their country of origin at the end of the scholarship period.
– Special CHF 300 housing allowance, disbursed once at the beginning of the scholarship.
– One-year half-fare public transportation card.
– Additional support services, including various organized trips, dinners, and sightseeing tours for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship recipients.
Eligibility Criteria for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships:
⇒ Language Requirement: Proficiency in English.
⇒ Eligible Countries: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide.
⇒ Possession of a Master’s degree or equivalent university qualification attained before July 31, 2022, recognized by a Swiss university. Applicants must submit their degree certificate to the Federal Commission for Scholarships prior to the scholarship commencement as proof.
⇒ Applicants must be born after December 31, 1987.
Individuals who have resided in Switzerland for more than one year at the scholarship’s start date in September are ineligible.
⇒ Submission of a letter from an academic host professor (along with their abbreviated CV) at the selected Swiss university, detailing why they are willing to supervise and support the research. Applications lacking this support will be rejected.
⇒ Submission of a research proposal, including a timeline, which serves as the focal point of the application. ⇒ Applicants are required to dedicate significant attention to this component.
⇒ Demonstration of proficiency in the language necessary for the research/studies.
⇒ Previous recipients of a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are ineligible for a second scholarship.
⇒ Scholarship recipients are expected to relocate to Switzerland for the duration of their grant period.
To apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, please follow these application instructions:
1. Prepare the following documents:
– Signed FCS application form (typed and printed) including:
– A comprehensive CV detailing academic publications and awards.
– A motivation letter (maximum 2 pages).
– A complete research proposal (maximum 5 pages, signed), using the FCS research proposal template exclusively.
– A copy of the letter from an academic host professor at the chosen Swiss university, confirming willingness to supervise and support the research.
– A short CV of the academic mentor at the home institution.
– 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.
– Photocopies of certificates, grade sheets, and diplomas from previously attended universities/colleges, starting with the most recent. If not in English, French, Italian, or German, provide attested certified translations in English. Do not submit the original certificates.
– Signed medical certificate (use only the FCS health certificate form).
– Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data). Dual nationals should add copies of both passports. Applicants already in Switzerland during the application procedure should add a copy of the residence permit for Switzerland.
2. Obtain the application package from the Swiss representation in your country.
(3) Submission of Application Documents:
Please ensure you submit 2 sets of application documents as instructed below:
– The 1st set comprises original, signed documents, along with confidential letters of recommendation, and any necessary attested translations in English.
– The 2nd set is an exact copy of the 1st set, excluding the confidential letters of recommendation (which should only be included in the 1st set). No copies are needed for the 2nd set.
Note: Kindly avoid using plastic folders or binders for the documents.
Website
To know more about Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, please visit the official website: