The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are the Swiss Confederation's own awards for international researchers and artists. They are fully funded in the sense that matters most day to day: a monthly living allowance, health insurance for non-EU/EFTA holders, and a few practical extras. They are aimed at early career researchers and young artists, not at students looking for a taught Master's in business or engineering. If that second group describes you, this is the wrong scholarship, and it is better to know that now. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing.
The programme is administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS, also called ESKAS) under the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). It is open to applicants from over 180 countries, but the list of eligible countries and the deadline are set country by country. Pakistani students should check the country-specific information on the official site to confirm that Pakistan is on the list for the scholarship type they want, especially for art scholarships, which are restricted to a limited number of countries.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded (monthly allowance of CHF 2,450; tuition and semester fees generally not covered) |
| Levels | Research fellowships, PhD scholarships, art scholarships for an initial Master's degree |
| Academic year | 2027-2028, starting 1 September 2027 |
| Deadline | Varies by country of origin; check the official portal |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Official site | SERI scholarship page |
Three scholarship types, and the one that has disappeared
For 2027-2028 there are three options. Research fellowships are for people who already hold a Master's degree and want to carry out research at a Swiss institution. PhD scholarships are for those doing a doctorate in Switzerland. Art scholarships fund an initial Master's degree at a Swiss University of the Arts or Music.
Postdoctoral scholarships are no longer awarded starting from the 2027-2028 academic year. If you finished a PhD and were planning on a Swiss postdoc through this route, that door has closed. Older blog posts and forum threads may still describe the postdoc option, so do not rely on them.
Each type has its own eligibility rules and application procedure. Pick one before you start writing, because the documents differ.
What CHF 2,450 a month has to cover
The monthly living allowance is CHF 2,450, calculated for the basic living expenses of one person. On top of that, the scholarship includes:
- Compulsory health insurance premiums for non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders, which includes Pakistani applicants
- A one-time grant of CHF 600 towards a rental deposit
- A Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport in Switzerland
- A return flight allowance for non-EU/EFTA holders, based on country of origin
- Organised excursions and cultural activities for federal scholarship holders
Here is the part many applicants skim past. Tuition and semester fees are generally not covered and must be paid by the recipient. "Fully funded" here means your living costs are funded, not your fees. Find out what your host institution charges before you commit, and include it in your own budget.
The allowance is also for one person only. There is no family allowance, and residence permits for accompanying family members are subject to restrictive policies by the migration authorities. If you are married and planning to bring a spouse or children, think hard about whether the numbers work.
The supervisor letter decides everything for research and PhD applicants
You cannot apply for a research fellowship or PhD scholarship on your own. Every application needs an endorsement letter from an academic supervisor in Switzerland, on official letterhead, plus that supervisor's short CV. Without it, there is no application.
This is where most Pakistani applicants lose time. Professors receive a lot of inquiries, and a generic email saying "I am interested in your research" rarely gets a reply. Read the supervisor's recent work, explain how your proposed project fits it, and attach a short CV. Start this months before the portal opens, not in the weeks before your deadline.
Art applicants work differently. Instead of a supervisor, you need an admission letter, proof of application, or start date confirmation from a Swiss University of the Arts or Music.
Age, degree and residence rules that rule people out
These are the eligibility conditions in the source information for 2027-2028:
- Date of birth after 31 December 1991.
- Research and PhD applicants must have a Master's degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027 (for ETH Zurich, by 30 June 2027).
- Art applicants must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent completed by 31 July 2027 and must not yet hold a Master's degree.
- Research and PhD applicants need the Swiss supervisor's endorsement letter.
- If you already live in Switzerland, your entry date must not be earlier than 1 August 2026.
- You can apply a maximum of three times for the same type of scholarship.
The art rule catches people out. If you already hold a Master's in any subject, you are not eligible for the art scholarship, even if your art training is separate. And the ETH Zurich date is a month earlier than everyone else's, which matters if your Pakistani university is slow to issue final results.
Eligible fields cover all academic disciplines for research and PhD. Art scholarships cover artistic fields such as music, visual arts, dance, acting and writing.
Building the document file
The full list runs to 13 items, though not all apply to every type. The core set for research and PhD applicants is:
- A complete CV covering education, degrees, awards, positions, publications, teaching and practical experience.
- A motivation letter of no more than 2 pages.
- A detailed research plan with a timeline of key milestones, on the FCS/ESKAS form, maximum 5 pages.
- A letter of support from your Swiss supervisor on official letterhead.
- A short CV of the Swiss supervisor (maximum 2 pages).
- A short CV of your supervisor at your home university (for research fellowships).
- Confirmation of admission to a graduate school (only for PhD scholarships at graduate schools).
- Two recommendation letters from different professors, on the FCS/ESKAS form.
- Copies of certificates and transcripts, with certified translations if they are not in English, French, Italian or German.
- A copy of your passport (or both passports if you are a dual national).
- A copy of your residence permit or registration confirmation if you already live in Switzerland.
Art applicants also submit an art portfolio in PDF format with links or QR codes to recordings or artwork, plus the admission letter, proof of application or start date confirmation from the Swiss art school.
Pakistani degree documents are usually in English, so translation may not be an issue. Check the official instructions on whether certification or attestation is needed for your copies. Our documents checklist for international scholarships covers how to organise these files.
How the GO ESKAS application works
Applications go through the online portal GO ESKAS, with submissions routed through Swiss diplomatic representations. The sequence looks like this:
- Check the scholarship types available for your country and your country-specific deadline. These are published in August 2026.
- Secure your Swiss supervisor and their letter of support (research and PhD), or your admission or proof of application from a Swiss art school (art).
- Register and sign in to GO ESKAS. Access opens on 20 August 2026.
- Complete the online form and upload your CV, motivation letter, research plan and other documents, and send the recommendation letter requests.
- Submit the complete application before your country's deadline.
There is no application fee charged by the Swiss government.
Applications are assessed on three things: your profile as a candidate, the quality of your research project or artistic work, and the potential for future research cooperation. That last criterion is easy to ignore. A proposal that shows how you might keep working with Swiss researchers after the scholarship ends reads better than one that treats Switzerland as a one-off stop.
When results come and when you would start
Country deadlines and availability are published in August 2026, and the portal opens on 20 August 2026. Because deadlines differ from country to country, confirm the exact Pakistan deadline on the official portal rather than relying on a date you saw elsewhere. Awards are announced by the end of May 2027 at the latest, and the scholarship starts on 1 September 2027.
That leaves roughly three months between the result and arrival, so plan your Swiss visa paperwork early. Our guide to common student visa rejection reasons is useful background.
What applicants get wrong
The research plan is the most common weak point. It has to follow the FCS/ESKAS form and stay within 5 pages. Plans that run over, or that ignore the form's structure, look careless before anyone reads the content.
PhD applicants sometimes miss that their target university requires formal graduate school admission before the scholarship application. Check this with your supervisor or the graduate school early, because the confirmation is a required document in those cases.
Some applicants assume a supervisor's informal "yes" by email is enough. It is not. You need a signed letter of support on official letterhead.
And many forget the fee question until they are offered the award. Be honest with yourself about whether you can cover tuition or semester fees from your own funds.
This scholarship suits a Pakistani researcher with a clear project, a Master's degree completed on time, and the patience to build a real relationship with a Swiss professor. It is a poor fit if you want a taught Master's, already have a PhD, or need family support. For other options, see all Switzerland scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Are tuition fees covered?
No. The scholarship covers basic living expenses through the CHF 2,450 monthly allowance. Recipients pay their own semester or tuition fees where they apply.
Can Pakistani students apply?
The programme is open to applicants from over 180 countries, and availability is set by country of origin. Check the country-specific information on the official SERI page to confirm Pakistan is included for your scholarship type.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
Yes, for research fellowships and PhD scholarships. Every application must be backed by an academic supervisor in Switzerland who provides a letter of support. Art applicants need admission or proof of application from a Swiss art school instead.
Can I apply for a postdoc through this scheme?
No. Postdoctoral scholarships are no longer awarded starting from the 2027-2028 academic year.
How many times can I apply?
A maximum of three applications for the same type of scholarship.
Can my family come with me?
The allowance is calculated for one person and includes no family allowance. Residence permits for accompanying family members are subject to restrictive migration policies.
Before you apply, read the latest country list and deadline on the official SERI scholarship page and review the full scholarship page for this award.