Switzerland Opens Excellence Scholarship Applications for Pakistani Students
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28 are now open for eligible Pakistani students and researchers seeking research and PhD opportunities in Switzerland.
The Embassy of Switzerland in Pakistan has announced the programme, while the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has listed October 31, 2026 as the application deadline for Pakistani candidates.
The scholarships are part of Switzerland’s international research cooperation programme, which is open to applicants from 183 countries. Successful candidates are selected by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students.
Swiss Government Scholarship 2027-28 Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships |
| Academic Year | 2027-28 |
| Eligible Country | Pakistan |
| Scholarship Types | Research and PhD |
| Research Scholarship | One year |
| PhD Scholarship | Three years |
| Maximum Age | 35 years |
| Monthly Stipend | CHF 2,450 |
| Application Deadline | October 31, 2026 |
| Application Fee | Free |
Scholarships Available for Pakistani Applicants
The one-year research scholarship is designed for doctoral candidates who want to undertake a research stay at an eligible institution in Switzerland.
The three-year PhD scholarship is aimed at candidates who intend to complete doctoral studies at an eligible Swiss university or research institution.
The 2027-28 programme does not include postdoctoral fellowships.
Applicants can propose research projects in different academic fields, provided they meet the academic, age and other requirements associated with their selected scholarship category.
Who Can Apply?
The programme primarily targets early-career researchers from eligible countries who have already completed a master’s degree.
Pakistani applicants must meet the specific eligibility conditions outlined in the Pakistan application documents. The maximum age for the available research scholarships is 35 years.
Candidates should carefully review the requirements before preparing their applications to ensure that their academic background and proposed research meet the relevant criteria.
Where Can Scholars Conduct Research?
Successful applicants may be placed at a range of recognised Swiss institutions, including:
- Swiss cantonal universities
- Universities of applied sciences
- ETH Zurich
- EPFL
- Research institutions within the ETH Domain, including PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag
Applicants are responsible for identifying an appropriate institution and research supervisor before submitting their applications.
Academic Supervisor Required
A key requirement for research applicants is securing the support of an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
Candidates must independently contact a suitable professor whose research interests closely match their proposed project. The Swiss scholarship authorities and universities do not arrange supervisors for applicants.
When approaching a potential supervisor, applicants are advised to prepare a concise academic profile and research proposal to clearly explain their qualifications and intended project.
Documents for Contacting a Supervisor
Applicants may include the following material when contacting a prospective academic supervisor:
- A short curriculum vitae
- A motivation letter
- Two or three recommendation letters
- A two- to three-page research proposal
Candidates should also consult the official Pakistan-specific application package because additional documents may be required when submitting the scholarship application.
PhD Admission Requirements
Requirements can vary depending on the doctoral route selected by the applicant.
Candidates applying for a regular PhD under a designated academic supervisor need to provide a support letter from that supervisor. Under this route, a separate PhD admission letter is not required at that stage.
For doctoral schools where a supervisor is not assigned during the first year, applicants may need both an admission letter from the doctoral programme and a support letter from an academic supervisor.
Applicants should confirm the applicable requirements with their chosen Swiss university or doctoral school before submitting their application.
Monthly Scholarship Allowance
Selected scholars will receive a monthly scholarship payment of CHF 2,450.
Applicants should consult the official scholarship documentation for complete details regarding the financial award, eligible expenses and other conditions attached to the funding.
How Pakistani Students Can Apply
Interested candidates should first review the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships information available through the HEC website and then follow the application instructions for Pakistani applicants.
The application process directs candidates to the official Swiss Government ESKAS application portal, where they can register or sign in and select the appropriate scholarship category.
Applicants should:
- Choose the relevant research or PhD scholarship.
- Complete the online application form.
- Prepare the required academic and supporting documents.
- Secure support from an eligible Swiss academic supervisor where required.
- Submit the research proposal and other documents according to the scholarship guidelines.
- Review the application carefully before final submission.
The application must be submitted by October 31, 2026.
There is no application fee for the scholarship.
HEC Role in the Application Process
HEC is providing information about the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships but does not receive or process the applications itself.
Pakistani candidates must submit their applications through the designated Swiss Government application portal and should contact the relevant Swiss authority or institution if they require clarification about the application process.
Students and researchers interested in the opportunity should review the official eligibility criteria and application documents carefully before submitting their forms.
