Swiss Study Foundation Support Program — Fellowship

The Swiss Study Foundation has supported talented students and postgraduates in Switzerland since 1991 and currently accompanies around 740 of them.

Members stay enrolled at their own university and join a parallel program of interdisciplinary seminars, summer academies, mentoring and a network of peers, alumni and professionals. Most members receive no money from the foundation; its scholarships are awarded selectively for study abroad, projects and social need.

Applicants are often nominated by their school or university, and spontaneous applications are equally welcome through the foundation portal. Selection runs in German, French and Italian across all three language regions of Switzerland.

Benefits & funding

An interdisciplinary education program ranging from one-hour meetings and two- to three-day intensive seminars to multi-week summer academies; participation is generally free.
Individual mentoring from professors, head office staff and volunteer coaches.
Access to the foundation’s scholarships for study abroad, internships, conferences and other projects, plus advice and financial support for special projects.
Network access: events with people from science, business, society and politics, an online database of students, alumni and mentors, and an online job fair.
Dedicated tracks including the Werner Siemens Program for STEM students, GraduateBox for doctoral and master’s students, Culture Matters and Univers Suisse.
Most supported students receive no payment from the foundation.

Eligibility

Students enrolled at Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences or the ETH institutions.
A current grade average of at least 5.3; in special cases extraordinary achievements in voluntary work, politics or culture can compensate for a lower average.
Knowledge of at least two Swiss national languages, the second at B1 level or above.
At least three full semesters remaining until the degree ends, so the dossier must arrive before the third-to-last semester begins.
Maximum age 28.
Swiss citizenship is not required; applicants without it qualify through a Swiss matura or through studying at a Swiss higher-education institution.
Support centres on bachelor’s and master’s level; doctoral candidates must already be members to have support continued during the doctorate.
Demonstrated responsibility and social commitment, broad interests, curiosity and creativity.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

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Education required
High School · Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled
Age requirement
≤ 28 yrs

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Application process

1
Optionally attend an information event to see how the support program works.
2
Submit the application dossier on the foundation portal my.studienstiftung.ch, with or without a nomination from your school or university.
3
The head office reviews the dossier formally.
4
Shortlisted candidates attend a one-day selection seminar with individual interviews and group discussions, held in all three official languages and regions.
5
A jury drawn from education, business and society decides on admission.
6
Every assessed candidate is offered an individual feedback meeting.

Program timeline

Year-round
applications are accepted through the foundation portal, with no published closing date.
Before applying
information events for prospective applicants.
After the dossier review
a one-day selection seminar with interviews and group discussions.
After the assessment
the jury decision, followed by an individual feedback meeting.
Support period
runs through the rest of the degree, which is why at least three full semesters are required at entry.