Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2021-2022 for Foreign Scholars and Artists

Published: 10 Aug 2020 2,013 views

Every year, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship offers Masters scholarships to Art students (Artists). Every year, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is offered for PhD, Postdoctoral and Research for Foreign Students from Africa and other Countries to Study Abroad in Switzerland

The Swiss government, through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), awards various postgraduate scholarships to foreign scholars and researchers:

1. The research scholarship is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree as a minimum) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at doctoral or post-doctoral level.
   Research scholarships are awarded for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences and the two federal institutes of technology. Only candidates nominated by an academic mentor at one of these higher education institutions will be considered.
2. Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial master’s degree in Switzerland. Art scholarships are awarded for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts. Only those who have already been awarded a place to study may apply. This scholarship is available to students from a limited number of countries only.

These scholarships provide graduates from all fields with the opportunity to pursue masters, doctoral or postdoctoral research in Switzerland at one of the public funded university or recognised institution.

Swiss Government excellence-scholarships

Benefits of Swiss Government excellence-scholarships

1. The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 1’920.
2. For non-EU and non-EFTA grantees only: the FCS pays mandatory Swiss health insurance.
3. There are no family allowances.
4. No financial support for fieldwork or for conferences.
5. Scholarship holders from non-EU and non-EFTA countries receive a flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
6. Special CHF 300 housing allowance (paid once at the beginning of the scholarship).
7. One-year half-fare public transportation card.
8. Support services and various trips, dinners and sightseeing tours organised for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders.

Requirements for Swiss Government excellence-scholarships

The FCS assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria:

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

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 subsequently takes the final decision.

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

Candidates for the University Scholarships must;

1. Hold a university degree (Bachelors/Masters) on commencement of the scholarship.
2. Be able to demonstrate their academic abilities and what they aim to achieve.
3. Contact the institution and/or the professor supervising their period of research. Universities may request supplementary information and/or set certain additional conditions to determine whether or not you qualify for admission.
4. Be under the age of 35 (born on or after 1 January 1977).
5. Be suitably proficient in the language of instruction (French, German, Italian or English) in order to draw full benefit from their studies in Switzerland.

Please refer to the country-specific fact sheets for general and specific eligibility criteria.

Selection Process

Application timeframe

1. Opening of the call: 10 August 2020
2. Application deadline: 30 November 2020
3. Beginning of the scholarship: 01 September 2021

Application Documents

Application documents

1. Please submit 2 sets (=1 original + 1 copy) of application documents in exact order given below: The 1st set contains the original, signed documents plus the confidential letters of recommendation and, if applicable the attested translations in English. The other set is the copy of the 1st set except for the confidential letters of recommendation (only 1st set). No copies for 2nd set.
2. Signed FCS application form (typed and printed) with photo.
3. A full CV with list of academic publications, awards etc.
4. A motivation letter (max. 2 pages).
5. A complete research proposal (max. 5 pages, signed), using exclusively the FCS research proposal form.
6. A copy of the letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the PhD thesis.
7. Applicants for doctoral schools (doctoral programmes): In addition to all other application documents (including the support letter from a supervisor), the admission letter from the doctoral school is required with the application dossiers.
8. 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.

Academic Year 2021-2022 - Nigeria

1. Photocopies of certificates and grade sheets from previously attended universities/colleges and diplomas with grades, starting with the most recent. If not in English, French, Italian or German with attested certified translations in English. Do not submit the original certificates.
2. Signed medical certificate (use only the FCS health certificate form).
3. Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data). Dual nationals add copies of both passports. Applicants already in Switzerland during the application procedure add a copy of the residence permit for Switzerland.

Please do not put the documents into plastic folders or binders.
Contact institution for the application

Application Deadline

How to Apply