The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 offer international students and researchers an opportunity to study or conduct research in Switzerland.
Also, the programme supports talented applicants from more than 180 countries. In addition, it promotes international academic exchange and research cooperation. Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year opened on 20 August 2026.
For applicants from Nigeria, the programme is particularly relevant because Nigerian researchers are eligible to apply.
What is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is a competitive funding programme offered by the Swiss Confederation.
It mainly supports early-career researchers who have completed a Master’s degree. Furthermore, applicants can pursue research at eligible Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences and research institutes.
The available options include:
- Research fellowships
- PhD scholarships
- Art scholarships for eligible countries
Therefore, applicants should check the scholarship type available in their country before applying.
Who is eligible for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
Eligibility depends on the scholarship type and the applicant’s country.
However, for research and PhD scholarships, applicants generally need a Master’s degree or equivalent. They must also meet the programme’s age requirement and prepare a research proposal.
Moreover, research applicants need a Swiss academic supervisor who supports their proposed research.
For art scholarships, applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and seek admission to an eligible Swiss art school or conservatory.
What countries or regions are eligible for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
The programme is open to applicants from 183 countries for the 2027–2028 cycle. However, the scholarship types and deadlines differ by country.
Consequently, applicants should check the official country list before starting an application.
Also, Nigerian applicants are among those who can apply for the programme.
What does the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships cover?
Selected recipients receive CHF 2,450 per month to support basic living costs for one person.
Depending on the applicant’s country and scholarship type, additional benefits may include:
- Health insurance for eligible non-EU/EFTA scholars
- A CHF 600 rental deposit grant
- A Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport
- Return flight allowance for eligible non-EU/EFTA recipients
- Organised excursions and activities
However, the scholarship does not cover tuition or semester fees. Applicants may also need to pay certain university fees and conference or fieldwork costs.
You can also explore other funding opportunities on OpportunityLab.net.
What courses or fields are available?
Research scholarships are available across academic disciplines. Applicants can conduct research at eligible Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL and recognised research institutes.
Art scholarships, meanwhile, support eligible students pursuing their first Master’s degree in an artistic field.
What are the academic requirements?
For research fellowships and PhD scholarships, applicants must generally have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027. For ETH Zurich, the deadline is 30 June 2027.
Applicants also need a detailed research plan and support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
For art scholarships, applicants need a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027.
What documents are required?
The exact documents depend on the scholarship type and country.
Applicants should prepare their academic records, CV, research proposal and other supporting documents. Research applicants must also provide a letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor.
Therefore, it is best to begin preparing early.
When is the application deadline?
There is no single deadline for every country. The Swiss authorities state that deadlines vary according to the applicant’s country of origin.
For Nigeria, the 2027–2028 application deadline is 27 November 2026, according to the current country-specific deadline information.
However, Applicants should still confirm the deadline in the official country list before submitting.
How do I apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
First, check your country’s available scholarship and deadline. Next, review the eligibility requirements and prepare the required documents.
Furthermore, Research applicants should also identify a suitable academic supervisor in Switzerland.
After that, applicants can register and prepare their application through the official Grants Online (GO ESKAS) system. The Swiss authorities state that applications should not be sent by email or in paper form.
Where is the official application?
Applications are submitted through the official Swiss Government scholarship system.
Official application portal – GO ESKAS
You can also check the official programme page for country-specific requirements and deadlines: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Official Website
Is there an application fee?
No. The application is free. The Swiss authorities have specifically warned applicants about fake scholarship offers and requests for payment. Therefore, applicants should not pay anyone who claims to provide access to the official scholarship.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide funding for research and selected postgraduate opportunities in Switzerland. However, requirements and deadlines vary by country. Nigerian applicants should work with the 27 November 2026 deadline and verify the latest country-specific instructions before submitting.
