If you are dreaming about studying in Switzerland but you are scared of the cost, you are not alone. Switzerland is expensive, but the good thing is that there are strong scholarships that can almost or fully cover your study and living expenses, especially for Master, PhD and research.
Below I am keeping everything as simple and readable as possible. No heavy academic language, just what you actually need to know.
We will look at:
- Main fully funded or almost fully funded scholarships
- What they pay for
- Who they are for
- When to apply
- Official links to apply
Main scholarship options in Switzerland for 2026
I will focus on five big names that really matter for international students:
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
- EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships
- University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships
- Geneva Graduate Institute financial aid (Master and PhD)
1. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026–2027
This is the main national scholarship from the Swiss government. It is often called ESKAS or Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
What it is
- For early career researchers and artists from abroad
- For research stays, full PhD, postdoc and some arts master programs
- Open to more than 180 countries
You can study at:
- Swiss universities
- Universities of applied sciences
- ETH Zurich or EPFL
- Other approved research institutes
What it usually covers
From the official overview:
- Monthly stipend
- Around CHF 1,920 per month for research, PhD and arts master
- Around CHF 3,500 per month for postdoc
- Health insurance for non EU or EFTA students
- One time housing allowance (to help with deposit)
- Public transport half fare card
- Return flight allowance at the end of the scholarship (for many non EU or EFTA students)
- Cultural events and trips
Tuition fees are low in most Swiss universities and are sometimes not fully covered, but in practice this package still feels “fully funded” if you live with a normal student budget.
Who can apply in general
- You already have a master degree (or PhD if you apply for postdoc)
- You are within the age limit for your country and track
- You have a clear research plan
- You have found a Swiss professor who agrees to host and supervise you
- You meet language and other requirements of the host university
When to apply for 2026–2027
- Applications for 2026–2027 open from 4 August 2025 (date confirmed for some countries)
- The exact deadline depends on your country (for example, some embassies show 13 October 2025) Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
You must always check the country specific sheet on the official site.
Where to apply
- Official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships page:
- There you select your country and download the fact sheet with exact rules and deadlines.
2. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
If you want a fully funded master at ETH Zurich, this is the one.
What it is
- Scholarship for outstanding international and Swiss students who want to do a master degree at ETH Zurich
- For many master programs in engineering, computer science, natural sciences and more
What it covers
From the official ETH page:
- CHF 12,000 per semester for living and study expenses
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Support for the full length of the master program
- Mentorship and networking through the ETH Zurich Foundation
So in simple words, it covers both your studies and your living costs if you budget properly.
Who it is for
- Students with excellent grades (top of their class or close)
- Clear motivation and fit with the chosen master program
When to apply for 2026 intake
- You apply only in the first master application window
- For recent years this is from 1 November to 30 November for the following autumn start
Where to apply
- Official ESOP information: ETH scholarship page
- ESOP section inside ETH eApply system:
You apply to the master program and ESOP in the same online system.
3. EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships
EPFL in Lausanne also offers strong fellowships for master students.
What it is
- Master excellence fellowships for outstanding students starting a master at EPFL
- Open to students from EPFL and from other universities around the world
What it covers
From EPFL official information:
- CHF 10,000 per semester (paid at the beginning of each semester)
- Guaranteed housing offer or support
- Paid for the normal length of the master (3 or 4 semesters) if you pass your exams
- You still pay the normal EPFL tuition fees, but they are low compared to the fellowship amount
For many students this is almost a fully funded package, especially if you share accommodation.
Who it is for
- Excellent academic record
- Strong motivation and a good match with EPFL master programs
- You cannot already hold a master degree from EPFL in most cases
When to apply for 2026 intake
- You apply for the master and the fellowship at the same time
- EPFL usually has two rounds
- First round around December
- Second round around March, depending on the program EPFL
Always check the “how to apply” page for the exact dates for the year you apply.
Where to apply
- EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships main page
4. University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships
If you like pure sciences (physics, maths, computer science, chemistry, biology and similar), this one is very interesting.
What it is
- Excellence fellowship program for master of science at the Faculty of Science, University of Geneva
What it covers
From the faculty information and updated scholarship portals:
- Fellowship amount of about CHF 10,000 to 15,000 per year
- Renewable for the full master length if you pass the first exams
- No teaching duty attached to the fellowship
Again, tuition at Geneva is quite low, so this can cover a large part of your living costs if you are careful with spending.
Who it is for
- Excellent bachelor degree in a relevant field
- Strong motivation letter and academic references
- You must be admitted to one of the eligible master of science programs
When to apply for 2026 intake
The exact deadline for 2026 will be announced, but as a guide, the next deadline for a recent call is 28 February 2025 for the 2025 intake. So for 2026, you can expect something similar around February 2026.
Where to apply
- University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships page at the Faculty of Science
5. Geneva Graduate Institute financial aid (Master and PhD)
The Geneva Graduate Institute is focused on international relations, development, law, economics and similar fields.
What it is
- Financial aid packages for master and PhD
- Mix of scholarships, teaching assistantships and tuition reductions
What it covers
From the Institute’s own documents:
- Full or partial scholarships that can cover estimated living costs
- Tuition fee reductions
- In some PhD cases, packages with 2 years of scholarship plus 2 years of teaching assistantship, covering the full length of the doctoral program
Not every student gets a fully funded package, but a part of students receive very strong support.
Who it is for
- Strong academic record
- Clear motivation to study international affairs
- Documented financial need (for most master scholarships)
When to apply
- Financial aid for master is linked to the program admission calendar
- You normally apply for financial aid in the same period as the academic application, for the intake starting in September of the next year
Where to apply
- Geneva Graduate Institute financial aid page (tuition and aid details)
Simple comparison: funding and timing
Here is a quick table to help you compare the main options.
Funding overview
When to apply and where
| Scholarship | Rough time to apply for 2026 intake | Official application or info link |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | From 4 Aug 2025, deadlines by country (often Sept or Oct) | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: sbfi.admin.ch |
| ETH Zurich ESOP | 1 Nov to 30 Nov 2025 for autumn 2026 master intake | ESOP page on ETH site: ethz.ch (Excellence Scholarship) |
| EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships | First round around Dec 2025, second round around Mar 2026 | EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships: epfl.ch |
| University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships | Likely Feb 2026 for autumn 2026 intake | Faculty of Science fellowships page at unige.ch |
| Geneva Graduate Institute financial aid | Together with master or PhD application for autumn 2026 | Graduate Institute fees and financial aid page: graduateinstitute.ch |
Use this table as your quick planning tool. Once you know which scholarship fits your level and field, go straight to the official link and read their latest instructions.
Final quick tips
- Start collecting your documents early in 2025 (transcripts, degrees, language tests, recommendation letters).
- Decide your main target (for example: Swiss Government PhD or ETH ESOP master) and build your profile around that.
- For research and PhD, try to contact potential supervisors in Switzerland with a short, clear email and a focused research idea.
- Always follow the format and deadline mentioned on the official website. Switzerland is very strict about this.
- Be careful of fake websites and emails asking for money. The Swiss Government clearly warns that their scholarship applications are handled only through official channels and are free of charge.
Official apply link
Most students who want fully funded research or PhD in Switzerland start from the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships page. From there you can see country sheets, download forms, and read all the rules.
APPLY HERE
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