Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2020/2021

Application for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for South African citizens is now open for students until 15 December 2020.

The aim of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to help young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or PhD. Three different types of scholarship are given to South Africans, which will start in September 2021.

PhD Scholarships

• The scholarship is valid for 12 months and can be renewed for a maximum of 3 years
• Applicants should possess a Master’s degree or equivalent university degree recognized by a Swiss University.
• Not older than 35 years at the time of application

READ: Dam Technical College application 2021 Form

Postdoctoral Scholarships

• The scholarship is valid for 12 months and renewable for a maximum of 6 months.
• The applicants should have a PhD degree.
• Not more than 5 years between the award of the PhD and the application deadline

READ: Canon Collins Sol Plaatje Scholarship 2021

Research Scholarships

• The Scholarship is for highly qualified postdoctoral researchers from all academic fields as well as young Medical Doctors.
• It is valid for 12 months maximum and non-renewable.
• Have a Master’s degree or equivalent
• Not older than 35 years at the time of application

The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria:

a) Candidate profile
b) Quality of the research project or artistic work
c) Synergies and potential for future research cooperation

READ: International Excellence Scholarship, UIC Barcelona 2020/2021

Funding from the Swiss Confederation
The following are the fund provided by the scholarship:

• Stipend: Postdoctoral research: CHF 3500/month
• Stipend: PhD and Research scholarship: CHF 1920/month
• Mandatory Swiss health insurance
• A one-time lump sum of CHF 300.-with the first grant payment to help for payment of the housing deposit.
• Flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin at the end of the scholarship.
• A year half-fare public transportation card.