The Swiss Government is offering research scholarship (research fellowship, PhD, Postdoc) to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree) who are planning to pursue research or further their studies at doctoral or post-doctoral level in Switzerland.
The scholarships are awarded for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences and the two federal institutes of technology, as well as the four research institutes. Only candidates nominated by an academic supervisor at one of these higher education institutions will be considered.
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.
To prepare a successful application, please read these guidelines carefully
Degree level
For South African citizens, three different types of fully funded scholarships are offered starting in September 2025 in all academic fields:
- PhD Scholarships
- The scholarship is valid for 12 months and renewable for a maximum of 3 years;
- Born after 31 December 1989;
- Applicants should have a Master’s degree or equivalent University degree recognized by a Swiss University obtained before 31 July 2025;
- A copy of the support letter (including a short CV, maximum 2 pages) from an academic host professor who is
entitled and willing to supervise a PhD at the chosen Swiss university during the entire duration of the doctoral studies. If an assistant professor supports a candidature, a full professor who is entitled to supervise the PhD during the entire scholarship has to co-sign the support letter. This letter is not the same as the also requested confidential recommendation letter; - Please note: Doctoral degrees can only be awarded by research universities. For PhD studies at a University of
Applied Sciences and UniDistance Suisse an additional letter of support from a faculty member of the host research university at which the PhD will be completed is mandatory; - The scholarship is valid only for full-time PhD studies in Switzerland at a Swiss university.
2. Postdoctoral Scholarships
- The scholarship is valid for 12 months and non-renewable;
- Born after 31 December 1989;
- PhD degree must be obtained after 31 December 2021 and before 31 July 2025 (except: ETH Zurich: 30 June 2025) PhD degree certificate completed;
- Primarily for scholars who have not already been to Switzerland;
- A copy of the letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV, maximum 2 pages) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the postdoctoral research;
- Applicants must have a research proposal including a timeframe;
- The scholarship is valid only for full-time postdoctoral research in Switzerland.
- Research Fellowships
- The Fellowship is intended for highly qualified postgraduate researchers from all academic fields;
- The applicant should have a Master’s degree or equivalent obtained before 31 July 2025;
- Born after 31 December 1989;
- A copy of the support letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV, maximum 2 pages) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the research. This letter is not the same as the requested confidential recommendation letter;
- Grant applications for stay lasting less than 9 months will not be treated as a priority;
- This scholarship type is not available for scholars holding a PhD degree;
- The Scholarship is valid only for full-time research in Switzerland;
- Applicants must have a research proposal including a timeframe.
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.
Deadline
29 November 2024
Who can apply?
- Citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Namibia and Mauritius (with global outreach);
- The scholarship is valid only for full-time research in Switzerland. It is not valid for on-the-job studies, part-time studies, correspondence courses or mixed programmes (part time in Switzerland and part time in another country);
- The scholarship is meant for conducting research in the Swiss host institution. For Research as well as Postdoctoral scholarships, no fieldwork abroad of Switzerland is possible during the scholarship period;
- The scholarship primarily offers an opportunity to scholars who have not already been to Switzerland. Applicants who have been in Switzerland since more than one year at the beginning of the scholarship in September are not eligible;
- Applicants who have already benefited from a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship;
- Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors in the applicant’s field, and not
identical with the academic supervisor at the host institution in Switzerland (use exclusively the ESKAS form –
originals in sealed envelopes only, for the first set). No copies for 2nd set; - 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. Exception for India: Self attested documents are accepted. Do not submit the original certificates;
- Signed certificate «Fit for mission» (please use only the ESKAS form);
- Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data). Dual nationals add copies of both passports. Applicants already in Switzerland during their application procedure add a copy of the residence permit for Switzerland.
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;
- A one-way flight to Switzerland for the scholars will be covered by the Departmen of Higher Education and Training (for South African applicants only);
- Flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
Please note: There is no financial support for fieldwork or for conferences. Grant holders receive a one-year half-fare public transportation card in Switzerland. Support services organise various trips, dinners and sightseeing tours for
Swiss Government Scholarship holders.
Application process
Please submit 2 sets (= 1 original + 1 copy) of application documents in exact order given below to the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa:
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.
- Signed ESKAS application form (typed and printed) with photo;
- A full CV with list of personal education and training, degrees and diplomas (with precise dates), awards, academic positions (with precise dates), non-academic positions (with precise dates), publications with references, conferences, academic teaching experiences, extra academic teaching experiences, links to your science blogs, your presentations online etc.
- A motivation letter (max. 2 pages);
- All applicants must have a clear research goal. Therefore research fellowship, postdoctoral scholarship as well as PhD scholarship candidates have to submit a complete research proposal (max. 5 pages, signed) including a layman abstract in English, using exclusively the ESKAS research proposal form provided with the application package. The research proposal is a central part of your application. Please devote the required attention to it and submit only a signed document;
- A copy of the letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV, maximum 2 pages) at the
chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to support and supervise the research. - For research fellowships in addition:
A short CV (maximum 2 pages) of the academic mentor at the home institution; - For PhD scholarships at doctoral schools (aka doctoral programmes) only, in addition: The confirmation for
accepted admission is required. A support letter from a host professor is required in any case additionally.
The applicants are strongly advised to use a courier company to submit their application. To prepare a successful application, please read carefully the application guidelines.
Contact
For further questions check the frequently asked questions or contact the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa by email:
Documents and links
Application Fit for Mission Form 2025-2026
ESKAS Application Letter of Recommendation Form 2025-2026
ESKAS Application Research Proposal Form 2025-2026
Will you be my supervisor 2024-2025
FAQs for scholarship applicants and academic supervisors
One minute introduction to Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Note
Please note that this opportunity 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 by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, 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.
