Switzerland
Region: Europe and Eurasia
There are two types of grants to Switzerland
8 FULBRIGHT/SWISS GOVERNMENT GRANTS Language Knowledge of the language (German, French, Italian) commensurate with the nature of the proposed project or course of study is required. If satisfactory language ability cannot be demonstrated, the candidacy will be refused. If the language level is considered only slightly inadequate, the candidate will be offered a language course in Fribourg (German / French) or Lugano (Italian) running two months, July/August. An additional award covers the cost of the two-month course.
Grant period 9 months, September to June.
Candidate profile Applicants must be U.S. citizens with permanent residence in the U.S. at the time of application. At the time of recommendation in January 2011, candidates must be under 35 years of age. Candidates must be excellent students and have a clear research or study goal. It should not involve on-the-job studies, part-time studies or correspondence courses (e-learning, long-distance learning).
Candidates who submit their applications within the framework of a cooperation program between the academic institution (institute, laboratory, etc.) of their country of origin and an academic institution in Switzerland have a certain priority. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the types of programs and course offerings at the different Swiss universities and arts institutions.
Factors affecting eligibility U.S. Fulbright – Swiss Government Scholarships cannot be awarded concurrently with other scholarships. In addition, the Embassy of Switzerland can reject candidates who are already in Switzerland or a third country. The Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) does not give them priority status. Candidates who have already embarked on the first year of a Master’s program at a Swiss university or UAS are no longer eligible for a Swiss government scholarship (with the exception of arts scholarships). Such applications will not be considered by the Swiss Embassy.
Affiliation Candidates may either apply with a research project or with the goal to pursue a master’s or postgraduate program. Research candidates will receive a slight preference. Possible host institutions are all public Swiss universities (any cantonal university or ETH Zurich and EPFL).
For research Candidates must contact a professor of their choice from a Swiss university and obtain a written confirmation from that professor stating that the applicant’s project is feasible and the scientific supervision (including workplace) is guaranteed. In general, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient to conduct research at Swiss universities, with two exceptions: research candidates applying to ETH Zurich or University of Basel must hold a master’s degree.
For master’s and postgraduate degree programs Candidates must seek admission and contact the program director. If the candidate has a letter of admission, it should be enclosed. If the admission decision is made later, the program director’s reply should be enclosed.
Arts candidates may study at any cantonal University of Applied Sciences or recognized music academy, conservatory, or art school. Some music academies and conservatories may require an audition in Switzerland before admission is finalized. It is required that the applicant get in touch with a professor at the chosen educational institution in order to get a written confirmation stating that the applicant’s project is feasible at that institution or admission for a specific master’s program is granted.
Tuition The scholarship does not include tuition or any other study fees. At present, most universities and ETH Zurich waive tuition for scholarship holders (EPFL being one exception), but often require payment of tuition for postgraduate courses. If Universities of Applied Sciences and fine arts schools do not waive tuition fees, it is up to the scholarship holder to arrange payment.
Specific program considerations Recommended candidates will be forwarded to FCS for final selection. The Federal Department of Home Affairs will ultimately award scholarships on the advice of the FCS. In addition to the general Fulbright application, candidates must also complete a Swiss Government grant application, which will be sent by IIE to recommended candidates in December 2010.
General comments Grantees pay their own travel expenses to Switzerland; FCS pays a fixed amount for the return trip. However, return travel will not be offered if scholarship holders extend their stay in Switzerland beyond six months after completion of their studies, or if they take up employment pending the continuation of their studies or if they move to a third country.
Dependents Grantees are welcome to bring dependents to Switzerland. However, no dependent allowances will be offered, and no visa support will be provided for dependents.
Websites http://www.eda.admin.ch/washington/Studying_in_Switzerland
http://bern.usembassy.gov/fulbright.html
1 Seydel Fellowships This fellowship is made possible by contributions from the Paul B. and Mildred Seydel Foundation.
Language Proficiency in French or German commensurate with the project is required. No funding for a preparatory language course is offered.
Candidate profile The awards will be available only for graduating seniors in all field of study.
Affiliation Candidates must arrange their own placements at any cantonal university, Swiss federal institute of technology, or recognized music academy, conservatory, or art school. It is not necessary to have finalized affiliation arrangements at the time of application. However, Seydel Fellows must submit evidence of affiliation before award of the grant is finalized.
General comments All graduating seniors who apply to Switzerland are automatically considered for the Seydel Fellowship. No additional or special application process is required. The candidates selected will be considered for a Fulbright travel grant, as well.
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