The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are now open for the academic year 2025–2026. These prestigious, fully funded scholarships are offered to international students, researchers, and artists from over 180 countries, including Afghanistan, to pursue research or advanced studies at top Swiss universities and institutions.

Types of Scholarships

The program offers two main types of scholarships:

1. Research Scholarships
   For postgraduate researchers (with at least a Master’s degree) who want to conduct research or pursue a PhD or postdoctoral study at a Swiss institution.

2. Art Scholarships
   For young artists (with a Bachelor’s degree) from select countries who want to pursue a Master’s degree in arts at a Swiss conservatory or arts university.

Scholarship Details for Afghan Applicants

Afghan students are eligible for:

• PhD Scholarships (up to 3 years)

• Postdoctoral Scholarships (1 year)

• Research Fellowships (1 year)

• Start of Application: August 2, 2025

• Deadline: September 30, 2025

• Program Start: September 1, 2026

• Location: Switzerland

• Eligible Fields: All academic disciplines

Benefits

• Monthly stipend:

  • CHF 1,920 for research, PhD, and arts students

  • CHF 3,500 for postdoctoral scholars

• Health insurance

• One-way flight to home country

• CHF 300 housing allowance

• Public transportation pass (50% discount)

• Participation in academic and cultural trips

Who Can Apply?

• Must hold or be completing a Master’s degree (for PhD/Research) or PhD (for Postdoc)

• Must be born after December 31, 1988

• Not have lived in Switzerland for over a year

• Not previously received a Swiss Government Scholarship

• Must have a host professor in Switzerland who agrees to supervise the research

• For PhD applicants, admission confirmation from a doctoral school may be needed

• For artists: must hold a Bachelor’s degree by July 31, 2024, and provide proof of conditional admission

Eligible Institutions in Switzerland

Includes all public universities and major institutions, such as:

• University of Zurich, University of Geneva, EPFL, ETH Zurich

• Swiss research institutes (e.g., PSI, EMPA)

• Arts universities (e.g., Zurich University of the Arts)

Required Documents

Two sets (1 original + 1 copy) of:

• Application form (signed)

• Detailed CV

• Motivation letter

• Research proposal (max 5 pages, signed)

• Letter of support from Swiss host professor

• Two academic recommendation letters (sealed for 1st set only)

• Degree certificates and transcripts (with official translations if needed)

• Health certificate (FCS form)

• Copy of passport(s)

Selection Process

Applications are first reviewed by local Swiss embassies, then evaluated by the Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) based on:

• Academic background

• Quality of research or artistic project

• Potential for future collaboration

How to apply?

Applicants should check their eligibility according to their country of origin. They can contact the designated Swiss office assigned to their country if they are eligible.
Applicants from Afghanistan can contact the Swiss embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, to receive all detailed information about the Swiss Excellence Scholarships and the package for application. Applicants from countries other than Afghanistan should find their country-specific scholarships HERE, read the details, and apply accordingly.

Please download and read the program details (linked below) before applying to this program.

• Research
• PhD
• Postdoctoral
• Arts

Guidelines for Swiss Government Scholarship Applications 2025-2026

Afghan Applicants can get and submit the application form to the address below: [email protected].

Please note that Afghanistan applicants who apply to the Ph.D. program should simultaneously apply for admission and for a Scholarship. Applicants can get the application package by contacting the Swiss Cooperation Office Pakistan in Islamabad. Then submit two sets of the application (a copy and original of all documents )

For more information, please the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Program Website.

Contact address of the Swiss Embassy in Islamabad:

Afghanistan applicants can contact:

[email protected].

[email protected]
0093 790 08 0800
0093 729 31 3135
Embassy of Switzerland to Pakistan
Street 06, Diplomatic Enclave, G-5/4
44000 Islamabad
Pakistan

People from other countries should contact the Swiss embassy in their home countries. Find the details Here