Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars

In a previous post, we mentioned that there are a number of Swiss scholarships available for Nigerian students. These scholarships are typically for Master’s or Doctorate students.

In this post, we’ll be adding to the opportunities we posted earlier by telling you about the Swiss Government Excellence Research Scholarships, offered by the Swiss Government for foreign students.

What is the purpose of these scholarships?

The purpose of these scholarships is to enable highly qualified postgraduate researchers from all academic fields, as well as young medical doctors, to undertake research for their Doctoral degrees.

Duration

The scholarship is valid for 12 months maximum (starting in September); no prolongation is possible. The research fellowship cannot be upgraded into a prolongable PhD scholarship.

Scholarship benefits

If you are selected for one of the slots, here are the benefits you will receive:

• The scholarship amounts to a monthly payment of CHF 1’920.
• There are no family allowances.
• There is NO financial support for conferences.
• You will have access to health insurance, paid for by the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS)
• As a scholarship holder from a non-EU country, you will receive a flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to your country after the end of your scholarship.
• You will receive a Special CHF 300 housing allowance (paid once at the beginning of the scholarship).
• A one-year half-fare public transportation card is available for beneficiaries.
• There are several support services and trips, dinners and sightseeing tours organised for Swiss Government Scholarship holders.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for one of the scholarship slots, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Master’s degree or equivalent university degree achieved before 31 July 2022 (degree certificate) recognised by the Swiss university. As proof, the degree has to be submitted to the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) before the start of the scholarship.
• Applicants must be born after 31 December 1986.
• Applicants who have been in Switzerland for more than one year at the beginning of the scholarship in September are not eligible.
• Applicants must provide a letter from an academic host professor (including his/her short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why he/she is willing to supervise and support the research. Without such a specific support letter, the application will be rejected.
• 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.
• Applicants must be in command of the necessary language skills required for the research/studies.
• Scholarship holders are expected to move to Switzerland during their grant period.
• The scholarship amount covers the living costs of one person only.
• Applicants who have already benefited from a Swiss Government Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a second scholarship.

Selection process

To select beneficiaries for the scholarships, the Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS) primarily consider the following aspects and selection criteria:

• The candidate: The academic profile, research capacity and motivation of the candidate.
• The research project: The originality and methodological soundness of the proposed project.
• The academic context: The quality and context of supervision and potential for future academic cooperation.

When can I apply?

The application call begins on 1 August 2021, and the deadline is on 30 November 2021. Students who have been selected will begin their academics on 1 September 2022.

Application documents

What are the required documents for the application?

Applicants are to submit 2 sets (=1 original + 1 copy) of application documents in the exact order given below. The first set contains the original, signed documents plus the confidential letters of recommendation. The other set consists of the copies of the 1st set, except for the confidential letters of recommendation (no copies are required for them).

1. Signed FCS application form (typed and printed) with photo.
2. A full CV with a list of academic publications, awards, etc.
3. A motivation letter, i.e. a letter expressing the applicant’s motivation (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 his/her short CV) at the chosen Swiss university confirming why he/she is willing to supervise and support the research. Research fellowships will further require a short CV of the academic mentor at the home institution.
6. Two confidential letters of recommendation from two different professors in the applicant’s field (applicants are to use exclusively the FCS reference form – originals in sealed envelopes only for the 1st set). There are no copies needed for 2nd set.
7. Photocopies of certificates and grade sheets from previously attended universities/colleges and diplomas with grades, starting with the most recent. 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 should add copies of both passports. Applicants already in Switzerland during the application procedure should add a copy of the residence permit for Switzerland.

Contact information

Applications are to be submitted to

The Embassy of Switzerland, 157 Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja 900003

You can contact the Swiss Embassy for questions or more information on:

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +234 810 411 9943-6

Website: Swiss Embassy website