Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 for Pakistan

What this programme provides

The Swiss official 2027–28 guidance states a scholarship amount of CHF 2,450 per month for research fellowships and PhD scholarships to cover basic living expenses for one person. The Swiss government also states that applications are free; country and award conditions should be checked in the current official package before relying on any additional benefit.

• For Pakistan, use only the categories listed in the HEC announcement: one-year Research Scholarship and three-year PhD Scholarship.
• For research/PhD scholarships, hold a Master’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027 (30 June 2027 for ETH Zurich under the Swiss guidance).
• Be born after 31 December 1991 under the 2027–28 research/PhD eligibility rules.
• Prepare a detailed research plan with timeline and milestones.
• Secure an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to support the project and provide the required support letter and short CV.
• If already residing in Switzerland, meet the Swiss residence timing rule; the 2027–28 guidance says entry must not be earlier than 1 August 2026.
• For a research fellowship, be pursuing a PhD in the home country; for a PhD scholarship, satisfy the host institution’s doctoral admission/supervision route.
• Meet all country-specific and host-institution requirements shown in GO ESKAS and the Swiss scholarship package.

• Complete CV covering education, qualifications, awards, positions, publications, teaching and practical experience.
• Motivation letter of up to two pages.
• Detailed research proposal on the FCS/ESKAS format, maximum five pages including a non-specialist summary.
• Letter of support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss higher-education institution plus the supervisor’s short CV.
• For research fellowships, a short CV of the academic supervisor at the home university.
• For PhD applicants using a graduate-school route where applicable, proof of admission to the doctoral school together with the required supervisor support.
• Email addresses of two professors in the relevant field so the online system can request recommendation letters.
• Copies of university certificates and transcripts, with certified translations if not in English, French, Italian or German.
• Passport copy; dual citizens should follow the Swiss instruction to submit both passports.
• Residence permit/registration confirmation if already living in Switzerland.

1. 1Confirm that the Pakistan category you want is available and that you meet the research or PhD eligibility rules.
2. 2Identify a suitable Swiss academic supervisor early; the Swiss authorities state that applicants are responsible for finding their own supervisor and that this can take weeks or months.
3. 3Prepare the research plan, motivation letter, CV, transcripts and supervisor support material before starting the final submission.
4. 4Register in the Swiss Grants Online (GO ESKAS) application system.
5. 5Complete and submit the application online through GO ESKAS. The Swiss guidance says not to send applications by email or on paper.
6. 6For Pakistan, submit before the HEC-announced date of 31 October 2026; because HEC’s notice does not state a closing time, do not wait until the last day.
7. 7Monitor communication from the Swiss authorities/mission. HEC is not handling selection or funding for this award.

Detailed information

Frequently asked questions

Sources used for this record

Official sources take priority for critical facts such as eligibility, amounts, dates and application instructions.