Switzerland has long provided ideal conditions to serve as a major hub for education, research and innovation. Among the instruments that sustain this reputation is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship (ESKAS), which enables young, talented researchers from around the world to study and collaborate at Swiss institutions. ESKAS scholarships are not only about education; they are about building bridges across continents and cultures, advancing and circulating knowledge, and ultimately strengthening the trust that underpins global research partnerships.
Towards the end of last year, discussions in Parliament signalled the risk of reducing the funding for the ESKAS programme by half. Although the proposal was ultimately set aside, there were still funding cuts, which exposed how fragile, long-standing instruments in the education sector can be in times of fiscal restraint. With the ESKAS 2026–27 application cycle now underway, questions remain about the programme’s long-term stability — precisely when continuity and confidence matter most.
What ESKAS represents
ESKAS is more than a scholarship programme. It is Switzerland’s decade-long flagship programme for academic exchange, welcoming international PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers to engage with Swiss institutions and universities across disciplines. Doctoral grantees typically receive funding for three years, and postdoctoral researchers for one year, a structure that allows them to complete full PhD projects, make important steps in their academic careers, while deeply embedding in the Swiss research environment.
At Swiss TPH, we have seen its value first-hand. Since 2013, we have hosted 87 ESKAS scholars from 34 countries. The largest cohorts have come from Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania, countries with which we have built long-standing and trusted research partnerships for more than 70 years. Through these collaborations, we work jointly to expand research capacity, strengthen institutional ties and foster the circulation of knowledge and expertise that benefits all partners.
ESKAS plays a pivotal role in sustaining this global network — connecting promising researchers to Switzerland’s academic excellence and fostering science and innovation that delivers solutions to address some of the most pressing global challenges.
Why It Matters for Switzerland
Programmes like ESKAS are vital for Switzerland. They attract outstanding talent, spark new ideas and connect our research institutions to international networks that keep Switzerland dynamic, competitive and globally relevant.
Every scholar who comes to Switzerland contributes to research and innovation, while strengthening the international standing of our universities. Many go on to maintain lifelong collaborations with their Swiss counterparts, creating a global community that links Switzerland to centres of excellence around the world.
Programmes like ESKAS are also quiet drivers of science diplomacy, strengthening Switzerland’s partnerships through trust, collaboration and shared research.
This exchange is more than academic; it is strategic. It builds lasting relationships and trust, the foundations on which international cooperation depends. At Swiss TPH, we see this every day. Our ESKAS alumni now work in ministries of health, universities, research institutions, international organisations and NGOs. They are part of a global network advancing science and cooperation. Sustaining this programme means sustaining Switzerland’s role as a credible, connected and engaged partner in education, research and innovation.
"Every scholar who comes to Switzerland contributes to research and innovation, while strengthening the international standing of our universities."
A Call to Safeguard Global Research Ties
The discussion around ESKAS is about more than funding. It speaks to how Switzerland defines its role in global research partnerships. Safeguarding ESKAS is therefore not just an act of financial support; it is a commitment to the principles that make Swiss science influential and respected worldwide.
When the next generation of researchers looks to Switzerland, they should continue to see a country driven by excellence, curiosity and deeply rooted partnership.
At a time when international collaboration is under pressure, Switzerland must stand firm in supporting the programmes that connect it to the world. ESKAS is one of those essential links — and its future will help determine how strong, credible and globally connected Switzerland remains.