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| Fully Funded Switzerland Scholarships for 2026 Admissions |
Switzerland is known for its excellent universities, high quality of life, and strong research environment. For many international students, studying there seems out of reach — until you learn about fully funded scholarships. If you're planning to apply to Swiss universities in 2026, here are some of the best fully funded scholarships (or very nearly so) to watch out for, along with tips on eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.
What “Fully Funded” Typically Means in Switzerland
Before diving into the list, it helps to understand what “fully funded” usually covers in Swiss scholarships:
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Monthly stipend / living allowance
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Tuition waiver or coverage of semester fees
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Travel / airfare (sometimes)
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Health insurance (especially for non‑EU/non‑EFTA students)
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Housing support / deposit allowance
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Sometimes extra allowances (transport card, research grants, etc.)
Not every scholarship covers everything (for instance, some require students to cover semester fees or local travel), so always check the fine print.
Major Fully Funded Swiss Scholarship Programs for 2026
Here are the top scholarships for international students for the 2026 intake that are fully funded, or offer strong support that makes them very close to “fully funded.”
| Scholarship | Level(s) & Host Institutions | What is Covered / Benefits | Key Deadlines & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | Master’s, Doctorate, Post‑Doctorate, Arts | Monthly stipend ≈ CHF 1,920 (for research/PhD etc.) (SERI); health insurance (non‑EU/EFTA grantees) (SERI); return airfare allowance in many cases; housing deposit one‑off CHF 300 lump sum. |
Applications usually open in August‑September 2025 for the 2026‑27 academic year. |
| ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship / ETH Excellence Scholarships | Master’s (and in some cases PhD) at ETH Zurich | Strong financial support, tuition waiver, stipend / living costs included in many listings. | Deadlines often in November‑December 2025 for Masters 2026. Check ETH’s official site. |
| EPFL Excellence Fellowships | Master’s at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) | Covers tuition and offers financial support for living / housing etc. | Application windows usually late in the year (Nov‑March) for next year’s intake. |
| University of Geneva / Geneva Excellence Masters Fellowships | Master’s programs at University of Geneva | Merit‑based funding with stipend / tuition support. | Deadlines tend to be in late fall / early winter 2025 for 2026 admission. |
| University of Lausanne (UNIL) Scholarships / Lausanne Excellence Program | Master’s (and sometimes research / postgraduate) at UNIL | Monthly stipend, tuition waiver or support in many cases. | Deadlines usually in November (fall of year prior to intake). |
| CERN Non‑Member State Doctoral Student Programme | PhD candidates from non‑CERN Member States, conducting part of their doctoral thesis research at CERN | A good monthly allowance, health insurance, travel grants. | The application deadline listed is 20 October 2025 for many of these programmes. |
| SSSR Travelling Fellowship | Young radiologists (specialty in MSK radiology) | Fully funded travel + accommodation for 1 week, plus CHF 1,000 allowance. | Application deadline 30 November 2025. |
Lesser-Known but Valuable Scholarships
These aren’t always as large, but they can be very helpful and, in some cases, “fully funded” for specific components:
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Scholarships at the University of Basel
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IMD MBA Scholarships — very generous in some cases
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Fellowships / research grants from CERN for students already in specific fields
How to Prepare (Tips for Applicants)
To maximize your chances:
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Start early. Many of these calls open many months in advance; you’ll need time to gather recommendation letters, define a research proposal, etc.
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Target alignment. If applying for research / PhD scholarships, find a Swiss supervisor or professor whose research aligns with yours. Many scholarships expect or require host‑institution support.
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Strong academic record. Top grades, publications (for graduate / research level), projects, and relevant experience matter a lot.
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Language & documents. English is accepted in many programs, but you may need knowledge of German, French, or Italian, depending on the university. Also have transcripts, passport, and proof of English/French (TOEFL, IELTS etc) ready.
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Be mindful of deadlines & country‑specific requirements. Some Swiss government scholarships have different windows and required documents depending on your home country.
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Read the fine print. Some scholarships don’t cover semester fees, or housing, or only offer a travel grant one way. Make sure you know costs you’ll need to cover.
Things to Watch Out For
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Even when a scholarship is “fully funded,” some universities still charge semester fees or require small contributions.
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Living costs in Switzerland are high. Even with stipend, budgeting well is essential.
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Visa, insurance, and logistic arrangements might take time, so plan for those.
Summary & Key Takeaways
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If you’re applying in 2026, start monitoring Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, ETH Zurich Excellence, EPFL Excellence, University of Geneva and Lausanne Fellowships.
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Deadlines mostly fall in late 2025 (Nov‑Dec) for the 2026‑27 academic year.
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Having a strong proposal, aligning with Swiss institutions, and good documentation are your critical success factors.
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