Swiss Government Scholarship 2027-28 for Pakistani PhD and Research Applicants

The Swiss Government Scholarship 2027-28 is a funding opportunity from the Swiss Confederation for talented early career researchers from abroad who want to do research or a doctorate in Switzerland. The awards are made by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students, also known as FCS or ESKAS. The programme is open to applicants from 183 countries, and the Swiss Embassy in Pakistan has announced the 2027-28 call for Pakistani candidates, which the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has also shared. What the scholarship offers The official overview lists a monthly scholarship amount of CHF 2,450 for research and PhD scholarships. Research can be carried out in any discipline at a Swiss cantonal university, a university of applied sciences, ETH Zurich, EPFL, or one of the four ETH Domain research institutes (PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag). What is not confirmed The overview page does not explain whether tuition fees, housing or insurance are covered. Please read the official conditions for these details before you plan your budget. Scholarship types for Pakistan HEC lists two categories for Pakistani applicants: - 1-Year Research Scholarship, for doctoral candidates who want a research stay in Switzerland - 3-Year PhD Scholarship, for candidates who want to complete a PhD in Switzerland Art scholarships are offered only to students from a limited number of countries, so they are not covered here. Who can apply - Researchers from eligible countries, mainly those who have already completed a Master's degree - Applicants within the maximum age of 35 years - Applicants who have an academic supervisor in Switzerland willing to guide and support the proposed research. This is a prerequisite, not an optional extra. How applications are assessed The Federal Commission looks at three things: the candidate profile, the quality of the research project, and the potential for future research cooperation. Decisions for the next academic year are announced by the end of May at the latest. Deadlines for the Swiss Government Scholarship 2027-28 HEC states that the last date for Pakistani applicants is 31 October 2026, and late applications may not be considered. No closing time was given in the notice I could access, so please submit well before the day itself. Deadlines are set by country, so do not rely on dates published for other countries. Scholarships for 2028-29 will be advertised from August 2027. How to apply 1. Find a suitable institution in Switzerland and obtain the agreement of an academic supervisor. 2. Read the Pakistan-specific application information on the official Swiss Government scholarship pages. 3. Register on the GO ESKAS online portal and complete the application. 4. Upload all required documents and submit before the deadline. Documents The full list is given in the country-specific application package, so check it carefully. At the very least, you will need a supervisor who is ready to back your research proposal. Practical tip Contact potential supervisors early. Since the scholarship application depends on their support, a late reply can cost you the whole application. Important warning The Swiss authorities state that applying for this scholarship is free of charge. They also warn about fake scholarship e-mails that ask for money for visa or insurance costs. Never send money to anyone claiming to represent the scheme. Please confirm all details, including the deadline, on the official Swiss Government scholarship website before applying for the Swiss Government Scholarship 2027-28.