University of Bern Scholarships 2027 in Switzerland: Funded Research and PhD Opportunities for International Students
University of Bern Scholarships 2027 in Switzerland: Funded Research and PhD Opportunities for International Students. The University of Bern Scholarships 2027–2028 provide international researchers with opportunities to undertake research and doctoral studies at the University of Bern through the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
These scholarships are awarded by the Swiss Confederation through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), rather than directly by the University of Bern.
The funding programme supports talented international researchers who want to conduct research in Switzerland, establish academic collaborations and develop their research careers.
Depending on the applicant’s nationality and scholarship category, funding may include a monthly allowance of CHF 2,450, research support and other benefits specified in the official award conditions.
Important clarification: The University of Bern does not award a general fully funded scholarship covering bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes for all international students. The principal international funding opportunity associated with the university is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, which primarily targets postgraduate researchers. The available categories and application deadlines depend on nationality.
For the 2027–2028 cycle, applications opened on 20 August 2026. Applicants from Zimbabwe had a country-specific deadline of 10 November 2026, which has now passed. Other nationalities may have different deadlines.
University of Bern Scholarships 2027: Overview
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host university | University of Bern |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Main funding programme | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships |
| Awarding institution | Swiss Confederation |
| Selection body | Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) |
| Academic year | 2027–2028 |
| Main target group | International postgraduate researchers |
| Scholarship categories | Research fellowships, PhD scholarships and selected arts scholarships |
| Monthly allowance | CHF 2,450 for the relevant scholarship categories |
| Research fellowship duration | 6–12 months |
| PhD scholarship duration | Up to 36 months, subject to progress and renewal |
| Scholarship start | 1 September 2027 |
| Eligible nationalities | Depends on the country-specific scholarship offer |
| Application opening | 20 August 2026 |
| Application method | Official GO ESKAS portal and country-specific procedure |
1. About the University of Bern
University of Bern Scholarships 2027 in Switzerland: Funded Research and PhD Opportunities for International Students
The University of Bern is a public research university located in Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
The university offers academic programmes and research opportunities across numerous disciplines, including:
- Medicine
- Natural sciences
- Social sciences
- Humanities
- Law
- Economics
- Theology
- Veterinary medicine
- Environmental sciences
- Engineering-related research
- Mathematics and computer science
The institution is recognised for its research activities and international academic collaborations.
International researchers may have opportunities to work with academic supervisors, research groups and university institutes.
The University of Bern participates in the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships programme as one of the eligible Swiss host institutions.
However, it is important to understand the distinction between the university and the scholarship provider.
The University of Bern provides the academic research environment, while the Swiss Confederation awards the government scholarship through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students.
2. What are the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?
University of Bern Scholarships 2027 in Switzerland: Funded Research and PhD Opportunities for International Students
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are awarded annually to encourage international academic exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and other countries.
The programme is mainly intended for talented early-career researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree.
It provides opportunities to conduct research at eligible Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, federal institutes of technology and recognised research institutions.
The programme includes different scholarship categories, depending on the applicant’s nationality.
The main categories relevant to the University of Bern include:
- Research fellowships
- PhD scholarships
- Arts scholarships, where available to eligible nationalities
The programme does not offer every category to every country.
Applicants must therefore consult the official country-specific scholarship list before preparing an application.
3. Research fellowship at the University of Bern
The research fellowship is intended for highly qualified early-career researchers who want to undertake a research project at a Swiss higher education institution.
It is suitable for researchers who are pursuing a PhD in their home country and wish to conduct a research stay in Switzerland.
Scholarship benefits
The official 2027–2028 scholarship information lists:
- Monthly allowance of CHF 2,450
- Research stay in Switzerland
- Access to the facilities of the host institution
- Academic supervision
- Opportunities for international research collaboration
The research fellowship is intended to cover basic living expenses for one person.
It is not a salary.
Applicants should also budget for expenses that are not covered by the scholarship.
Duration
The research fellowship generally lasts between 6 and 12 months.
The scholarship starts on 1 September 2027 for the relevant cycle.
Extensions are not available for this research fellowship category.
Who can apply?
Applicants generally need to:
- Be highly qualified early-career researchers
- Have completed a master’s degree or equivalent by the required date
- Be pursuing doctoral research in their home country
- Present a detailed research proposal
- Secure support from an eligible academic supervisor in Switzerland
- Meet the age and nationality requirements
The official 2027–2028 eligibility information specifies that applicants must have a date of birth after 31 December 1991.
Applicants should check the complete country-specific requirements before applying.
4. PhD scholarship at the University of Bern
The PhD scholarship is intended for international researchers who want to undertake doctoral studies at a Swiss university.
The University of Bern is among the eligible host institutions.
The scholarship provides financial assistance to qualified applicants who have a suitable academic background and a research project supported by a Swiss academic supervisor.
Scholarship benefits
The published 2027–2028 scholarship amount includes:
CHF 2,450 per month
The allowance is intended to cover basic living expenses for one person.
Other benefits and expenses must be checked in the official award conditions.
Applicants should not assume that all tuition charges, research expenses, travel, health insurance and family costs are automatically covered.
Duration
The PhD scholarship can run for up to 36 months.
It is initially awarded for 12 months and may be renewed twice, subject to satisfactory academic progress and the applicable scholarship conditions.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants generally need to:
- Hold a recognised master’s degree or equivalent
- Meet the applicable age requirement
- Have a suitable doctoral research proposal
- Secure an academic supervisor in Switzerland
- Demonstrate strong academic and research potential
- Meet the country-specific requirements
The 2027–2028 programme requires the relevant master’s degree to be completed by 31 July 2027, or 30 June 2027 for ETH Zurich.
The date of birth requirement for this cycle is after 31 December 1991.
Applicants interested in doctoral studies at Bern should identify a suitable professor or research group before submitting their scholarship application.
5. Swiss Government Excellence Arts scholarships
University of Bern Scholarships 2027 in Switzerland: Funded Research and PhD Opportunities for International Students
The Swiss Government also provides arts scholarships for eligible international applicants.
These awards support students seeking to pursue an initial master’s degree in an artistic discipline at a Swiss conservatory or university of the arts.
The arts scholarship is available only to applicants from a limited number of countries.
The University of Bern is not itself an arts university, so applicants interested in an arts degree should identify an eligible Swiss arts institution rather than assume that this category is hosted at Bern.
Scholarship benefits
The official 2027–2028 information lists a monthly allowance of CHF 2,450 for this category.
Duration
The scholarship can last for 12 months, with possible extension up to a maximum of 21 months, depending on the selected master’s programme and its ECTS requirements.
Eligibility
Applicants generally need:
- A recognised bachelor’s degree
- An eligible artistic background
- Admission or proof of application to an eligible Swiss university of the arts or music
- A suitable artistic portfolio
- Compliance with country-specific eligibility requirements
This category is not available to all nationalities.
6. How much is the scholarship worth?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship provides a monthly allowance of:
<text color=”success” weight=”semibold” size=”2xl” tabularNums>CHF 2,450 per month</text>
This is the published monthly amount for the relevant 2027–2028 scholarship categories.
The allowance is intended to help cover basic living expenses for one person while undertaking the approved research or study activity.
Important funding clarification
Although these scholarships are sometimes advertised as fully funded, applicants should understand that the monthly allowance is not a guarantee that every expense will be covered.
The official scholarship information specifies that the allowance is intended for basic living expenses.
Applicants should check the applicable award conditions for:
- Tuition and semester fees
- Accommodation
- Health insurance
- Travel expenses
- Research costs
- Conference attendance
- Fieldwork
- Personal expenses
The scholarship does not provide family allowances.
Some host institutions may also require additional financial support for particular research arrangements.
7. Who is eligible to apply?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are available to applicants from a large number of countries, but the scholarship types and deadlines differ by nationality.
The general eligibility requirements for research and PhD scholarships include the following.
International applicants
The programme is intended for foreign scholars and researchers.
The scholarship offer depends on the applicant’s country of origin and the categories available for that country.
Academic qualifications
Research and PhD applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent qualification by the relevant deadline.
The degree must meet the requirements of the intended research or doctoral programme.
Age requirement
The official 2027–2028 scholarship information specifies that applicants must have been born after 31 December 1991.
Applicants should confirm the age requirement for their specific scholarship category.
Research proposal
Applicants must develop a detailed research plan.
The proposal should explain:
- The research problem
- The objectives
- The methodology
- The expected outcomes
- The relevance of the research
- The proposed timeline
- The potential contribution to the applicant’s academic field
Academic supervisor
A Swiss academic supervisor is required for research and PhD scholarship applications.
The supervisor must be willing to support the proposed research and provide the required letter of support.
Applications without the required academic supervision will not be considered.
Research potential
The selection process considers the applicant’s academic profile, research competence, motivation and the quality of the proposed research.
8. Can students from Zimbabwe apply?
University of Bern Scholarships 2027 in Switzerland: Funded Research and PhD Opportunities for International Students
Yes. Zimbabwe is among the countries included in the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships programme.
For the 2027–2028 cycle, the published country-specific offer includes:
- Research fellowship
- PhD scholarship
The country-specific deadline for Zimbabwe was 10 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Swiss local time.
As the current date is 11 November 2026, that deadline has passed.
Zimbabwean applicants who did not submit by the deadline should monitor the official scholarship website for the next application cycle, expected to be advertised from August 2027 for the 2028–2029 academic year.
The arts scholarship should not be assumed to be available to Zimbabwean applicants.
9. Application documents
The exact documents depend on the scholarship category and country-specific application instructions.
Research and PhD applicants should generally prepare:
- Completed official application form
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Master’s degree certificate
- Research proposal
- Research plan and timeline
- Letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor
- Supervisor’s short CV
- Passport or identification document
- Other documents required by the country-specific application package
Applicants should prepare their documents carefully and follow the official instructions.
Do not send incomplete applications or assume that documents required in previous years remain unchanged.
10. How to apply for the University of Bern Scholarship 2027
The scholarship application is managed through the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships system, not through a general University of Bern scholarship application form.
For the 2027–2028 cycle, the application process was as follows.
Step 1: Check your country’s scholarship offer
Visit the official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships website.
Find your country in the country-specific list and confirm which scholarship categories are available.
Step 2: Identify a suitable research area
Review the University of Bern’s research activities and identify a department or research group relevant to your proposed project.
Step 3: Find an academic supervisor
Contact a suitable professor or academic supervisor at the University of Bern.
Explain your research interests and provide information about your academic background.
Research and PhD applications require the support of an eligible Swiss academic supervisor.
Step 4: Develop your research proposal
Prepare a detailed research proposal explaining your objectives, methodology, expected results and timeline.
Ensure that the proposed project is realistic and relevant to the host institution.
Step 5: Register on the official application portal
Eligible applicants use the official GO ESKAS online application system.
The application portal is accessible through the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships website.
Step 6: Upload the required documents
Prepare and upload the documents requested for your country and scholarship category.
Check that the information is accurate and complete.
Step 7: Submit through the official procedure
Applications are submitted according to the instructions provided by the Swiss diplomatic representation responsible for the applicant’s country.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students makes the final scholarship decisions.
Important: The 2027–2028 application deadline for Zimbabwe has passed. The steps above explain the official process for the cycle and can help applicants prepare for the next announcement.
11. Application deadlines for 2027–2028
Applications opened on 20 August 2026.
However, there is no single worldwide deadline.
Each country has its own application deadline and submission procedure.
For Zimbabwe, the deadline was:
<badge color=”danger”>Closed</badge>
10 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Swiss local time.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships expects to announce scholarship decisions by the end of May 2027 at the latest.
Successful scholarship holders are scheduled to begin their awards on 1 September 2027.
Applicants interested in the next cycle should monitor the official website from August 2027.
12. How are applicants selected?
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students evaluates applications using three principal criteria.
Candidate profile
The committee considers the applicant’s academic achievements, research competence, motivation and potential.
Quality of the research project
The research proposal is evaluated for originality, methodological quality, relevance and feasibility.
Potential for future research cooperation
The committee considers the quality of the proposed academic supervision and the potential for meaningful research collaboration between Switzerland and the applicant’s home country.
Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
The scholarship is competitive, and applicants should ensure that their academic background, research proposal and supervisor’s support are aligned.
13. Why study or conduct research at the University of Bern?
University of Bern Scholarships 2027 in Switzerland: Funded Research and PhD Opportunities for International Students
The University of Bern offers an international research environment and opportunities for collaboration across a range of academic disciplines.
Potential benefits include:
Research facilities
Researchers may access university facilities, academic resources and relevant research groups.
Academic supervision
Scholarship holders work with academic supervisors who support their research activities.
International collaboration
The programme encourages cooperation between Swiss institutions and researchers from other countries.
Research development
Participants can strengthen their research skills, develop academic networks and contribute to their fields.
Location in Switzerland
Bern is Switzerland’s capital and offers an international academic and cultural environment.
Applicants should nevertheless plan carefully for the cost of living and other expenses that may not be covered by the scholarship.
14. Frequently asked questions
Does the University of Bern offer fully funded scholarships?
The University of Bern states that it does not award scholarships itself. It lists external funding opportunities, including Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
Is the University of Bern Scholarship 2027 open to all nationalities?
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are available to applicants from many countries, but available scholarship categories and deadlines vary by nationality.
Can undergraduate students apply?
The main Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship categories described here are intended for postgraduate researchers and selected arts students. They are not general undergraduate scholarships.
Can master’s students apply?
The main research fellowship and PhD scholarship routes require a master’s degree or equivalent. The arts scholarship supports an initial master’s degree in an artistic field, but is restricted to selected nationalities.
How much is the monthly allowance?
The official 2027–2028 scholarship information lists CHF 2,450 per month for the relevant categories.
Is accommodation included?
The monthly allowance is intended to cover basic living expenses. Applicants should not assume that separate accommodation costs are automatically paid.
Can Zimbabweans apply?
Yes. Zimbabwe was included in the 2027–2028 country list for research fellowships and PhD scholarships. However, the Zimbabwe deadline of 10 November 2026 has passed.
Do I need a research supervisor?
Yes. Research and PhD scholarship applicants must secure support from an eligible academic supervisor in Switzerland.
When will the next scholarship cycle open?
The Swiss Government indicates that the 2028–2029 scholarship programme will be advertised online from August 2027.
Does the scholarship guarantee employment after graduation?
No. The scholarship supports research and academic development but does not guarantee employment.
Applicants should use these official sources to confirm scholarship availability, deadlines and funding conditions.
Final thoughts
University of Bern Scholarships 2027 in Switzerland: Funded Research and PhD Opportunities for International Students
University of Bern Scholarships 2027 in Switzerland: Funded Research and PhD Opportunities for International Students. The University of Bern is an eligible host institution for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028, providing international researchers with opportunities to pursue research fellowships and doctoral studies in Switzerland.
The relevant scholarship categories provide a monthly allowance of CHF 2,450 and may support research stays lasting up to 12 months or doctoral studies lasting up to 36 months, subject to the applicable conditions.
However, this is not a general fully funded scholarship for bachelor’s, master’s and PhD applicants from every country. It is a competitive research-focused programme with nationality-specific eligibility and deadlines.
For Zimbabwean applicants, the 2027–2028 deadline has already passed. Those who missed it should prepare for the next cycle and begin identifying potential academic supervisors before applications are announced.
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