Swiss Government (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation)
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (research)
Dates unknownPartly funded
No dates published. Check the official website ↗.
In short
- For researchers with a master's, 35 or under.
- You need a supervisor in Switzerland first.
- CHF 2,450 a month; deadlines are set per country (check the official page ↗).
- Some universities teach mostly in French (for example Geneva).
What a PhD offers
- Several years of research on a topic you choose.
- You become an expert in your field.
- It prepares you for research and university teaching.
Who can apply
- You have a master's degree and are an early-career researcher.
- A supervisor at a Swiss university, university of applied sciences, ETH Zurich or EPFL supports your project.
- Age
- 35 or under
- Work experience
- Not required
For Ni-Vanuatu applicants
- Vanuatu is covered by the Swiss Embassy in Canberra. Applications go through the Swiss diplomatic representation, with a deadline set per country.
- Where you study
- Switzerland
- Language of study
- French, English, Other languagesDepends on the university and your supervisor (French, German, Italian or English). In the French-speaking part, for example at the University of Geneva, teaching is mostly in French.
- Fields of study
- Any discipline, for a PhD or a research stay supported by a supervisor at a Swiss university.
Not confirmed: english test. Check the official website ↗.
What it covers
- Living allowance
CHF 2,450 a month. Other benefits are listed in the official information ↗.
Obligations after the scholarship
Not confirmed. Read the official rules ↗ carefully: many scholarships require you to return home after your studies.
How to apply
How you apply: Through an embassy or high commission
- 1Find a supervisor in Switzerland who agrees to support your research project.
- 2Check the country-specific information and deadline on the official page ↗, then apply through the Swiss embassy covering Vanuatu.
- 3Applying is free. Ignore any offer that asks you for money.
Documents checklist
We haven't confirmed the document list yet. See the official website ↗.
Guides that help with this application
- Studying in FrenchStudying in French, step by step: your school diplomas, scholarships open to francophone students, and how to apply to a university in France.
- Writing a strong personal statementWhat the selection panel looks for, a simple plan for your text, and how to write it in your own words.
- How scholarships work, from start to finishThe different ways to apply, what happens after you send your application, and when the main rounds open and close in the year.
Last checked 10 Oct 2026
Sources (3)
- University of Geneva – Registration FAQ (language of instruction) · 13 Oct 2026
- FDFA – Bilateral relations Switzerland–Vanuatu · 10 Oct 2026
- SERI – Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships · 10 Oct 2026
You might also look at
- France Excellence Eiffel ScholarshipOpen · deadline varies
- Vanuatu Government ScholarshipsOpen · 17 days left
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship (University of Cambridge)Open · 55 days left