Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Guide (FCS)
Evergreen annual guide. The general cycle opens annually in August on the federal portal, while local Swiss embassies independently set country-specific dossier deadlines.
Independent Service DisclaimerIndependent Guide
This independent guide is compiled by A2Z Thesis from official scholarship portals to assist Arab students and researchers. Our platform does not accept scholarship submissions, charge application fees, or guarantee admission. Applications occur directly via the official provider portal.
Funding Package & Allowances
Monthly subsistence stipend defined by the Swiss Federal Commission per scholarship track, with mandatory health insurance coverage.
One-time housing allowance/contribution paid upon arrival per regulations.
- Mandatory Swiss health insurance fully covered by the FCS
- Swiss public transport half-fare card (Halbtax)
- Flight allowance for return to home country upon completion
Eligibility Criteria for Arab Applicants
Citizens of Arab countries with bilateral diplomatic agreements via local Swiss missions.
Recognized Master's degree for PhD applicants; completed PhD for postdoctoral fellowships.
Proficiency in the research language of instruction (English, French, German, or Italian).
Age guidelines vary by fellowship track (often under 35 for specific categories per country package). · Solid academic and research track record attested by publications and references.
• Important: University tuition fee waivers are not guaranteed by the FCS and vary by cantonal university; living costs in Switzerland are substantial.
• Critical prerequisite: must independently secure a written commitment from a Swiss host professor prior to application submission.
Typical Preparation Checklist
Typical dossier preparation list; official call guidelines remain definitive
Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
Identify and reach out to a Swiss university professor to obtain a formal letter of supervision.
Contact the Swiss Embassy in your country of citizenship to request application package and verify local deadline.
Draft a structured research proposal adhering strictly to Swiss federal 5-page guidelines.
Submit complete dossiers directly to the Swiss Embassy before local deadline.
Federal Commission in Bern reviews dossiers with announcements released in Spring.
For integrity and transparency, all links route directly to official government or university domains: