Every year, the Swiss Confederation offers scholarships to young academic researchers and talented foreign artists via the Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarship for Foreign Students (FCS). Together with its partners in the federal administration, the FDFA participates in formulating the policy on scholarships. For one thing, in matters concerning scholarships offered by Switzerland to foreign students, it serves as the link between the FCS and the Swiss diplomatic representations abroad; and for another, between the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS) and the pertinent foreign institutions proposing scholarships to Swiss students.
Swiss scholarships offered to foreign academic researchers and artists
The scholarships (between 300 and 400 per year) that Switzerland proposes to foreign research scientists are offered, according to the country concerned, on the basis of reciprocity or within the frame of a pool. The scholarships are earmarked for doctoral or post-graduate research. They are not granted to students in Bachelors or Masters programmes. The candidate must submit a fully elaborated research project accepted by a Swiss university.
Scholarships for studies in the domain of the arts (music, theatre, visual and graphic arts) are proposed to certain countries. Those interested must contact the Swiss diplomatic representation which is competent for their country.
Scholarships offered to Swiss students for study in foreign countries
As commissioned by the Confederation, the CRUS runs a pertinent selection competition in the Swiss universities and universities of the applied sciences and administers the offering of scholarships proposed to Swiss students by foreign States. The FDFA plays the role of intermediary.