Country: Switzerland
Course: Research /PHD
Deadline:30th December
Introduction:
Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. Recipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or PhD and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree.
Research scholarships
The research scholarship (research fellowship, PhD, Postdoc) is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree is the minimum qualification required) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at doctoral or post-doctoral level. Research 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.
Objectives
- To enable selected applicants to undertake research in the realm of their PhD at one of the 10 Swiss cantonal universities, the two Swiss federal institutes of technology, the public teaching and research institutes or the universities of applied sciences.
- Valid for full-time research in Switzerland only.
Target Group
- Highly qualified postgraduate researchers from all academic fields as well as young medical doctors.
- Primarily for scholars who have not already been to Switzerland.
Eligibility Criteria
- Master’s degree or equivalent achieved before 31 July 2024 (except: ETH Zurich: 30 June 2024). Degree certificate completed.
- Applicants must be born after 31 December 1988.
- A research proposal including a timeframe.
- Mandatory letter from an academic host professor (including their short CV).
Duration
- Scholarship starts for the academic year 2024-25: 1 September 2024.
- 12 months maximum (starting in September).
- No prolongation possible.
Amount
- The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 1’920.-
- The scholarship amount covers the living costs of one person only.
- This scholarship is not a salary.
Selection Criteria
- The candidate: academic profile, research capacity and motivation.
- The research project: originality and methodological soundness.
- The academic context: quality and context of supervision and potential for future academic cooperation.
Art scholarships
Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial arts master’s degree in Switzerland. Art scholarships are awarded for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts. This scholarship is available to students from a limited number of countries only.
Objectives
- To enable selected applicants to undertake initial Master’s studies in Switzerland at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts.
- Valid for full-time research in Switzerland only.
Target Group
- Highly qualified young artists without Master degree.
- Art scholarships only available to citizens of countries with which Switzerland has a reciprocity agreement for art scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent achieved before 31 July 2024. Degree certificate completed.
- Applicants must be born after 31 December 1988.
- Invalid: All applications for a second master’s degree.
Duration
- Scholarship starts for the academic year 2024-25: 1 September 2024.
- 12 months (starting in September).
- Prolongable up to 21 months at most depending on the Master program chosen and the necessary ECTS credits.
Amount
- The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 1’920.-
- The scholarship amount covers the living costs of one person only.
Selection Criteria
- The candidate: artistic profile, qualification and motivation.
- The submitted portfolio: artistic maturity and potential.
- The host institute: available study places.
Selection:
Applications are subject to preliminary selection by the relevant national authorities and/or the Swiss diplomatic representation. The short-listed applications are then assessed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), which takes the final decision.
The FCS assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria:
- Candidate profile
- Quality of the research project or artistic work
- Synergies and potential for future research cooperation
The FCS is composed of professors from Swiss public universities. Scholarship awards are decided on the basis of academic and scientific excellence.
Supervisor Selection For Research Only:-
Who can help me find an academic supervisor?
As an applicant, you are responsible for finding a suitable research supervisor (professor). Neither the
secretariat of the Federal Commission for Scholarships nor the international office at the universities
can help you find an academic supervisor for your application for a Swiss Government Excellence
Scholarship. We recommend you look for a suitable research supervisor by reading up on university
websites and talking to any contacts you may have at your own academic institution.
What should I do before contacting a professor?
a) Make sure that the prospective academic supervisor actually works in your field.
b) Make sure that you possess all of the qualifications required for the intended scientific collaboration.
Find out, for instance, what requirements must be met in order to obtain a master’s degree at the
university in question.
Finding a professor who is willing to supervise you can be a major challenge. It can take several
weeks or even months
Deadline:
The Deadline to apply for this Scholarship is December 2023.
