Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Foreign Scholars interested in pursuing their postgraduate studies and research in Switzerland can apply for Government Excellence Scholarships from the Swiss Government.

In order to apply for a postgraduate scholarship one must hold at least a Master's Degree. A scholarship can be awarded in all disciplines and is valid at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences and at the two federal institutes for technology.

Further Information on the scholarship program in general can be found here:
Federal Commission for Scholarships
Get a life-changing scholarship
Will you be my supervisor?

Information on the range of PhD study programs at the University of Zurich can be found on our UZH website:
UZH PhD study programs

At the University of Zurich, we support three different types of scholarships:

PhD Scholarship, full PhD degree-program (up to max. 36 months)

for highly qualified PhD students from all academic fields. Please find all relevant information in this document: 

PhD scholarship

Postdoctoral Scholarship (12 months without prolongation)

for highly qualified postdoctoral fellows from all academic fields.

Please find all relevant information in this document: 

Postdoctoral scholarship

Research Scholarship (12 months without prolongation)

for highly qualified postgraduate researchers from all academic fields as well as young medical doctors.

Please find all relevant information in this document: 

Research scholarship

Application Period

Before accepting a candidate and before issuing a letter of commitment which is a prerequisite for the scholarship applicant, a thorough consideration is recommended with regard to:

• Academic competence
• Quality of the research project
• Skill to perform laboratory work independently if required by the project
• Language proficiency
• Personal contact and interview via Skype is highly recommended

Additional information concerning doctoral students/PhD scholarships:

• Pre-clarification through the Admissions Office as to whether the potential candidate can be admitted to an individual doctorate at UZH
• Personal contact and interview via Skype is mandatory
• In the event that the doctorate cannot be completed within the granted funding period of 36 months, the supervisor is asked to financially support the scholarship holder in the completion of the dissertation (up to a maximum of 12 additional months) or to assist in the application for funding
• The fellowship begins on 1 September of the respective calendar year. In general a start after 1 September is not possible

New responsibilities for UZH supervisors of PhD-scholarship fellows from HS 2022 on:

• All supervisors who have already committed to FCS scholarship holders up to and including HS 2021 are highly encouraged to ensure additional funding from HS 2021 if possible.
• From HS 2022 onwards, additional funding is mandatory for all upcoming supervisors who have not yet (status by spring semester 2021) committed to an FCS scholarship holder.
• The difference between the FCS fellowship and the minimum salary for SNF doctoral students is to be funded by the supervisor/institute (cf. leaflet "FCS Scholarship Holders": employment as doctoral students)

For detailed information please read the flyer by the FCS on supervising scholarship holders: 

Will you be my supervisor (PDF, 525 KB)