Looking for a fully funded scholarship to study for a doctoral degree abroad? Apply for the Swiss Government scholarships to study in Switzerland starting in 2021/2022 academic year.
These scholarships are awarded toward a PhD. And this post contains all details about the scholarship, including eligibility and how to apply.
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Value of this award
The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 1’920.
For non-EU and non-EFTA grantees only: the FCS pays mandatory Swiss health insurance.
There are no family allowances.
No financial support for fieldwork or for conferences.
Scholarship holders from non-EU and non-EFTA countries receive a flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
Special CHF 300 housing allowance (paid once at the beginning of the scholarship).
One-year half-fare public transportation card.
Support services and various trips, dinners and sightseeing tours organised for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders.
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What you should know about Swiss government PhD scholarships
Just before you complete an application, please see the following details.
i. This scholarship is provided by the government of Switzerland through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).
ii. Scholarship is awarded for a full-time PhD programme in Switzerland starting 1 September, 2021.
iii. The scholarship is valid only for full-time PhD studies in Switzerland. Its not valid for mixed PhD programmes (part time in Switzerland and part time in another country).
iv. This scholarship is targeted at highly qualified postgraduate students (possessing the required degrees) from all academic fields.
v. The award is tenable for 12 months (starting in September) prolongable up to 36 months based on the achieved academic results.
Participating institutions
A. Universities
- University of Basel
- University of Bern
- University of Fribourg
- University of Geneva
- University of Lausanne
- University of Lucerne
- University of Neuchâtel
- University of St. Gallen
- University of Zurich
- Università della Svizzera italiana
A. Federal Institutes of Technology
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ)
- Research Institutes of the ETH Domain (PSI; WSL; EMPA; EAWAG)
- Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)
Which programs are covered?
All academic fields offered by participating Swiss institutions.
Eligible Nationalities for this scholarship
Swiss government scholarships are open to international students from various countries including Nigeria.
Who’s eligible to apply?
To qualify for Swiss Government scholarships, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirement.
1. Have a Master’s degree or equivalent university degree achieved before 31 July 2021 (degree certificate) recognised by the Swiss university.
As a proof, the degree has to be submitted to the Federal Commission for Scholarships before the start of the scholarship.
2. Applicant’s date of birth after 31 December 1985.
3. Applicants must provide a letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the PhD thesis.
Without such specific support letter, the application will be rejected.
If an assistant professor supports a candidature, a full professor who is entitled to supervise the PhD during the entire scholarship has to co-sign the support letter.
4. Applicants must have a research proposal including a timeframe. This is the centrepiece of the application.
The applicant must devote all required attention to it.
5. Applicants must be in command of the necessary language skills required for the PhD studies/ research.
6. Applicants who have been in Switzerland since more than one year at the beginning of the scholarship in September are not eligible.
Reference document if applicable: residence permit to be added to the application documents.
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Please also note the following:
1. The application for a PhD scholarship and the application for admission by a Swiss University for a PhD study are two separate procedures.
2. The admission to a PhD study at your chosen Swiss University is a ‘conditio sine qua non’ for a potential attribution of a FCS scholarship – but no guarantee though for a positive decision by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to manage both procedures in parallel.
3. There are two different ways to achieve a doctorate degree (aka PhD).
The first way consists in undertaking doctoral studies under the supervision of an academic mentor (supervisor). In this case, the admission to the PhD takes place after the scholarship start.
The second way consists in being admitted to a doctoral school, which provides the framework for the following doctoral studies. Please inquire your admission directly at the corresponding school.
4. In addition to all other application documents (including the support letter from a supervisor), the admission letter from the doctoral school is required with the application dossier.
As this takes time, applicants must plan accordingly and submit their application for admission to the doctoral school sufficiently in advance of the scholarship programme deadline.
If the chosen doctoral school does not allow you to contact a supervisor before being admitted to the school, the application for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is not possible
What are the criteria for award?
The following aspects and selection criteria are primarily considered:
- 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.
How to apply
The application package can be obtained by e-mail from the Embassy of Switzerland in your country.
Applicants who are citizens of Nigeria can obtain the application package at the Switzerland Embassy, Abuja.
Required documents for application
Please submit 2 sets (=1 original + 1 copy) of application documents in exact order given below.
The 1st set contains the original, signed documents plus the confidential letters of recommendation and, if applicable the attested translations in English.
The other set is the copy of the 1st set except for the confidential letters of recommendation (only 1st set). No copies for 2nd set.
1. Signed FCS application form (typed and printed) with photo.
2. A full CV with list of academic publications, awards etc.
3. A motivation letter (max. 2 pages).
4. A complete research proposal (max. 5 pages, signed), using exclusively the FCS research proposal form.
5. A copy of the letter from an academic host professor (including her/his short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why she/he is willing to supervise and support the PhD thesis.
Applicants for doctoral schools (doctoral programmes):
In addition to all other application documents (including the support letter from a supervisor), the admission letter from the doctoral school is required with the application dossiers.
6. Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors in the applicant’s field (use exclusively the FCS reference form – originals in sealed envelopes only for the 1st set). No copies for 2nd set.
7. Photocopies of certificates and grade sheets from previously attended universities/colleges and diplomas with grades, starting with the most recent.
If not in English, French, Italian or German with attested certified translations in English. Do not submit the original certificates.
8. Signed medical certificate (use only the FCS health certificate form).
9. Two copies of the applicant’s passport (main page with personal data). Dual nationals add copies of both passports.
Applicants already in Switzerland during the application procedure add a copy of the residence permit for Switzerland.
Note: Please do not put the documents into plastic folders or binders.
How can I submit my application?
Questions and application documents for the Swiss government scholarships should to be submitted to the Embassy of Switzerland in the applicant’s home country.
Nigerian applicants can submit their applicants to the Embassy of Switzerland, 157 Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II 900003 Abuja.
Deadline
Application opened on 10 August 2020 and closing date for application is 30 November, 2020. For full terms and conditions please refer to their website.
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