Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a master's degree. The programme is currently open to applicants from 183 countries.

The scholarships pay CHF 2,450 a month for basic living expenses for one person, which is not a salary. They also give a one-time rental deposit grant of CHF 600, a Half-Fare Travelcard, health insurance premiums and a return flight allowance for holders from outside the EU and EFTA. Tuition and semester fees are not covered. PhD scholarships run for 12 months and renew up to 36 months, and research stays last up to 12 months.

For research scholarships you need a master's degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027, you must be born after 31 December 1991, and you need a Swiss academic supervisor. The pages read do not state a language requirement. Vietnam is on the SERI country list for 2027-2028.

Applicants are assessed on their profile, the quality of the research project or artistic work, and the potential for future research cooperation. Priority goes to applicants who have not studied or researched in Switzerland before.

You apply only through the online GO ESKAS system, which opened on 20 August 2026. The Vietnam call closes on 24 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss time. Decisions are announced by the end of May 2027. Art scholarships for a first master's are limited to certain countries.

Documents

• Complete CVRequired
• Motivation letter, maximum 2 pagesRequired
• Passport copyRequired
• Research proposal on the FCS form, maximum 5 pagesRequired
• Supervisor's letter of supportRequired
• Two recommendation emails from professors, sent through the systemRequired
• Certified translations of certificates not in English, French, Italian or GermanRequired