South African postgraduate researchers can apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028. The South Africa call offers research fellowships and PhD scholarships at eligible Swiss universities and research institutes.
At a glance
Funder: Swiss Confederation
Available to South Africans: Research fellowships and PhD scholarships
Study location: Switzerland
Monthly scholarship: CHF 2,450
Programme start: 1 September 2027
Closing date: 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time
High-value notes
- Applicants must secure an academic supervisor in Switzerland and obtain a letter of support before submitting.
- A research fellowship supports a doctoral research project for 6 to 12 months. A PhD scholarship starts with 12 months and may be renewed twice for up to 36 months, subject to academic progress.
- The application is completed online through Grants Online (GO ESKAS). Applications sent by email or in paper form are not accepted.
- There is no application fee. Applicants should be alert to fraudulent scholarship offers requesting money.
About the scholarship
The Swiss Confederation awards these scholarships to support international research cooperation. Applications are assessed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students, with administration by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
What the scholarship covers
- CHF 2,450 per month toward the living expenses of one person
- Compulsory health-insurance premiums for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
- A once-off CHF 600 rental-deposit grant
- A Half-Fare Travelcard for Swiss public transport
- A return-flight allowance for scholarship holders from non-EU/EFTA countries
The award does not automatically cover tuition or semester fees. It also does not fund conference participation or fieldwork costs, and it does not provide family allowances.
Eligibility requirements
South African applicants should meet all of the following core requirements:
- Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027, or by 30 June 2027 for ETH Zurich.
- Have been born after 31 December 1991.
- Prepare a detailed research plan with a timeline, milestones and activities.
- Obtain a letter of support and a short CV from an eligible academic supervisor in Switzerland.
- If already living in Switzerland, have entered the country no earlier than 1 August 2026 and provide the required proof.
- Apply for only one scholarship type, one host institution and one research proposal in this call.
Applicants who previously received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship are not eligible. A fourth application after three unsuccessful attempts is also excluded.
Documents to prepare
- Complete academic CV
- Motivation letter of no more than two pages
- Research proposal on the FCS/ESKAS form, limited to five pages including a non-specialist summary
- Letter of support and a short CV of no more than two pages from the Swiss academic supervisor
- For research-fellowship applicants, a short CV from the academic supervisor at the home university
- For relevant graduate-school PhD applications, confirmation of admission
- Email addresses for two professors who can submit recommendations through the online system
- Degree certificates and complete transcripts, with certified translations if they are not in English, French, German or Italian
- Copy of passport and, if applicable, Swiss residence documentation
Closing date
Applications for South Africa close on 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time. Applicants in South Africa should submit well before the deadline to avoid time-zone or portal issues.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying before securing a Swiss academic supervisor and support letter
- Treating university or graduate-school admission as the scholarship application
- Submitting more than one scholarship type, host institution or research proposal
- Uploading untranslated academic records when certified translations are required
- Assuming that tuition, semester fees, fieldwork or conference costs are fully covered
- Sending the application by email or post instead of submitting it through GO ESKAS
How this opportunity was verified
Last checked on 1 September 2026 using the Swiss 2027–2028 programme guidance and the Africa country table. The South Africa entry confirms research fellowships and PhD scholarships, with a closing date of 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Swiss local time.
How to apply
- Choose either the research-fellowship or PhD route and review its full eligibility rules.
- Identify an eligible academic supervisor at a Swiss institution and obtain the required support letter and CV.
- Register on Grants Online (GO ESKAS).
- Complete the application, upload all supporting documents and enter the two referee email addresses.
- Review the application carefully and submit it online before the South Africa deadline.