One-Year Research Fellowship Opens at SWISS Government Excellence Scholarship in Switzerland: Eligibility and How to Apply

August 20, 2026August 20, 2026 Martins ChimaPosted in ScholarshipsTagged Scholarships

Switzerland continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for advanced research through the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. For the 2027–2028 academic year, one of the most focused opportunities within this programme is the One-Year Research Fellowship. This fully competitive award enables talented early-career researchers to spend a concentrated period conducting independent research at a Swiss higher education institution or recognised research institute.

Applications open on 20 August 2026. Country-specific deadlines will be published on the official State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) website around the same time. The entire application process is free of charge and takes place exclusively online through the Grants Online (GO ESKAS) platform.

Objective of the Research Fellowship

The fellowship is designed for selected applicants to carry out a one-year research project as part of their doctoral studies. It supports full-time research conducted exclusively in Switzerland. The award is not intended for part-time work, distance research, or projects primarily based outside the country.

This structure allows doctoral candidates to gain intensive exposure to Switzerland’s research environment, access specialised facilities, and develop collaborations that can strengthen both their thesis and future academic careers.

Who Can Apply for this One-Year Research Fellowship (Target Group)?

The fellowship targets highly qualified early-career researchers from all academic fields who are already pursuing a PhD in their home country. Young medical doctors are explicitly included.

Priority is given to candidates who have not previously studied or conducted research in Switzerland, although limited exceptions exist under the official eligibility rules. The programme aims to bring fresh perspectives into Swiss research groups while creating long-term international networks.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent university qualification completed by 31 July 2027 (for ETH Zurich the deadline is 30 June 2027).
Be born after 31 December 1991 (maximum age 35).
Submit a detailed research plan that includes a clear timeline with key milestones and activities.
Obtain a formal letter of support from an academic supervisor based at a Swiss higher education institution (the letter must include a short CV of the supervisor).
If already residing in Switzerland, the date of entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2026. A copy of the registration confirmation or residence permit must be provided.

These criteria ensure that candidates are at an appropriate stage of their doctoral journey and that the proposed research can be realistically completed within the fellowship period.

Selection Criteria

The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS / ESKAS) evaluates applications according to three main pillars:

Academic profile, research competence, and motivation of the candidate.
Originality and methodological quality of the proposed research project.
Quality of the proposed supervision and the potential for lasting future collaboration between the applicant’s home institution and the Swiss host.

Strong applications demonstrate both individual excellence and a clear mutual benefit for Swiss and international research communities.

Duration and Start Date

Maximum duration: 12 months.
Minimum duration: 6 months.
No extensions are possible.
Standard start date: 1 September 2027.

The fixed timeframe encourages focused, high-intensity research rather than open-ended stays.

Scholarship Amount and Financial Conditions

Successful fellows receive CHF 2,450 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person.

Important clarifications:

This amount is not a salary. It must not be treated as equivalent to regular employment remuneration, either financially or legally.
No family allowances are provided.
The scholarship does not cover tuition or semester fees (which remain the responsibility of the holder in most cases), conference travel, or fieldwork costs.
Additional benefits typically include compulsory health insurance coverage for non-EU/EFTA nationals, a one-time CHF 600 housing deposit grant, a Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport, and a return flight allowance for non-EU/EFTA nationals (usable within two months after the fellowship ends).

Academic Supervision – A Mandatory Requirement

An academic supervisor at a Swiss university or recognised research institute is compulsory. Applications without a supervisor or without a formal letter of support will be rejected automatically. This rule also applies to candidates applying through graduate schools or doctoral programmes.

Suitable supervisors include professors and laboratory group leaders. For PhD-related work, the supervisor must be authorised to supervise doctoral theses. At universities of applied sciences, two supervisors are usually required, one of whom must hold the right to confer doctorates at a traditional university.

Finding a supervisor is entirely the applicant’s responsibility and often takes several weeks or even months. Professors receive numerous enquiries, so preparation is essential.

Before Contacting a Potential Supervisor

Successful outreach depends on careful groundwork:

Confirm that the potential supervisor is actively conducting research in your specific field.
Honestly assess whether your skills, publications, and academic record meet the standards expected for collaboration.
Research degree and programme requirements thoroughly before making contact.
Prepare a concise, personalised message that demonstrates genuine knowledge of the supervisor’s work.

Remember that the letter of support for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship and any separate application for formal admission to a Swiss doctoral programme are two distinct processes.

Documents Required for the Application

A complete application package typically includes:

Full curriculum vitae covering education, degrees, awards, positions, publications, teaching, and practical experience.
Letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) explaining the reasons for the stay in Switzerland, its significance for your future career, and professional plans after the fellowship.
Research proposal prepared on the official FCS/ESKAS form (maximum 5 pages, including a non-specialist summary) with a detailed timeline of milestones and activities.
Letter of support from the Swiss academic supervisor plus the supervisor’s short CV (maximum 2 pages).
For research fellowships: a short CV of the academic supervisor at the home university.
For PhD scholarships at graduate schools only: confirmation of admission to the graduate school (see official FAQ for details).
Email addresses of two different professors in the relevant field who will be invited by the system to upload recommendation letters on the FCS/ESKAS form.
Copies of all degree certificates and transcripts (certified translations required if not in English, French, Italian, or German; self-certification is accepted for Indian applicants).
Copy of passport (both passports for dual citizens).
Copy of residence permit or registration confirmation if already living in Switzerland.

All documents are uploaded through the GO ESKAS online platform. Incomplete or formally incorrect applications are automatically excluded.

Exclusion Criteria

Applications will not be considered if any of the following apply:

The application is incomplete or contains formal errors.
The same person submits multiple applications for different host universities or scholarship types at the same time.
The applicant has been living, studying, or working in Switzerland for more than 13 months before the planned start of the scholarship.
The applicant has previously received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
This is the fourth application after three unsuccessful attempts.
No academic supervisor in Switzerland has been named.
No letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor has been provided.
More than one research project proposal is submitted with the application.

Advice for a Strong Application to win this Funded One-Year Research Fellowship

Start the search for a supervisor as early as possible—ideally several months before the August 2026 opening. Prepare a polished research proposal that is both scientifically rigorous and clearly written for non-specialists. Ensure every document meets the exact page limits and formal requirements. Double-check country-specific deadlines once they are published, as they can vary significantly.

Official resources:

Main programme page: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships
Detailed guidelines: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-at-a-glance
Application portal (opens 20 August 2026): https://www.go.eskas.ch
FAQ for applicants and supervisors: available on the SERI website