The Swiss Government is offering foreign researchers postgraduate scholarships at Swiss higher education institutions (Universities, Federal Institutes of Technology and Universities of Applied Sciences, Arts and Music Schools) through the Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS also known as ESKAS, CFBE).
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are intended for highly motivated, competitive young researchers who have graduated from university (postgraduates). These scholarships will enable applicants to undertake research work in the fields in which the Swiss universities are particularly active.
For South African citizens three different types of fully funded scholarships are offered starting in September 2023 in all academic fields:
- PhD Scholarships
- The scholarship is valid for 12 months and renewable for a maximum of 3 years;
- Applicants should have a Master’s degree or equivalent University degree recognized by a Swiss University obtained before 31 July 2022;
- The applicant must not be older than 35 years at the time of application (born after 31 December 1987).
- Postdoctoral Scholarships
- The scholarship is valid for 12 months and non-renewable;
- Grant applications for stay lasting less than 9 months will not be treated as a priority;
- Grant applications for stay lasting less than 6 months will be rejected.
- The applicants should have a PhD degree;
- PhD degree must be obtained after 31 December 2019 and before 31 July 2023 (PhD degree certificate).
- Research Scholarships
- The Scholarship is intended for highly qualified postdoctoral researchers from all academic fields as well as young Medical Doctors;
- The scholarship is valid for 12 months maximum and non-renewable;
- Grant applications for stay lasting less than 9 months will not be treated as a priority;
- Grant applications for stay lasting less than 6 months will be rejected;
- The applicant should have a Master’s degree or equivalent obtained before 31 July 2022;
- A research proposal including a timeframe;
- Mandatory letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV);
- The applicant must not be older than 35 years at the time of application (born after 31 December 1987).
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria:
a) Candidate profile: Academic profile, the research capacity and motivation;
b) The research proposal: Its originality and methodological soundness;
c) Academic Context: The quality and context of supervision and the potential for future academic cooperation.
Degree level
PhD, Post Doc, Research Fellow
Deadline
15 December 2022
Who can apply?
- Citizens of South African, Botswana, Lesotho, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Namibia and Mauritius (with global outreach);
- Applicants who have been in Switzerland since more than one year at the beginning of the scholarship in September are not eligible. Reference document if applicable: residence permit to be added to the application documents;
- Applicants who have already benefited from a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship.
Fields of Study
Open to all academic fields of research.
What the fellowship offers
- Stipend: Postdoctoral research: CHF 3500/month;
- Stipend: PhD and Research scholarship: CHF 1920/month;
- Mandatory Swiss health insurance;
- One-time lump sum of CHF 300.-with the first grant payment to help for payment of the housing deposit;
- Flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
Application process
Applications must be submitted to the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa. The applicants are strongly advised to use a courier company to submit their application.
Contact
For further questions check the frequently asked questions or contact the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa by email:
Documents and links
Information on the universities, programmes, and professors
More information on the Scholarships
More information in studying in Switzerland
Guidelines for Scholarship Applications 2023-2024
Download the application package for South Africa
FAQs for scholarship applicants and academic supervisors
Will you be my academic supervisor
What to do before contacting a supervising professor
Note
Please note this scholarship is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided regarding the scholarship, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training other than stated above.
