ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships 2026

The ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship program Asia-Pacific is funded by the State Secretariat
for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and is supported by Swissnex in India and the
Embassies of Switzerland in Australia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. The programme aims
to promote research opportunities in Switzerland for Indian, Australian, Singaporean, Bruneian
and select Pacific Island Countries students to foster the exchange between Swiss and
Asia-Pacific universities & institutions.

Eligibility Criteria
To apply for a ThinkSwiss Scholarship, you must:
●​ Currently be enrolled at or funded by an accredited Indian, Australian, Singaporean or
Bruneian university/institute. This call is now also open to applicants from select Pacific
Island Countries (Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and
Fiji) who are enrolled at an accredited University/institute in these countries.
●​ Be a Master's degree student or a Bachelor's degree student who has completed the 2nd
year by the time the research stay in Switzerland begins.
●​ Provide written confirmation from a professor at a Swiss university or research institute
mentioning they have accepted you for a research stay in their group/lab.

Please note that:

●​ Doctoral and postdoctoral candidates are not eligible to apply.
●​ We specifically encourage Indian applicants with an interest in Antimicrobial Research
(AMR), One Health, biodiversity or climate change and action to apply. (The University of
Lausanne is not part of this programme for Indian students.) We also specifically
encourage applicants in the selected Pacific Island Countries with an interest in health,
climate change, disaster risk reduction and architectural resilience to apply. We are
subject-agnostic as far as Australian, Singaporean and Bruneian applicants are
concerned.
●​ Students applying to ETH Zurich must meet the prerequisites to become a "Project
Mobility" student as stipulated by the university. Read more below.

Application Procedure​
The application and all supporting documents must be uploaded on the online application form
in PDF format by 31 January 2026, 23:59 CET (GMT +2 hours). In order to be considered for
this scholarship, each application must contain the following:

1.​ A cover letter (maximum of two pages; see details below for writing guidelines)
2.​ A Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages)
3.​ A letter of acceptance from the professor and/or host institution in Switzerland. Please
request a confirmation letter on the university/institute letterhead from the host professor.
4.​ A letter of recommendation from a current professor who can attest to the applicant’s
abilities. (Should your professor wish to submit the recommendation letter directly,
please share this link with them).
5.​ A copy of your current university transcripts (we accept photocopies of official transcripts
issued to the student)
 ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
1)​ Are students who are not citizens of India, Australia, Singapore, Brunei, or the
listed Pacific Island Countries eligible to apply for the program?
Students currently enrolled at or funded by accredited universities in India, Australia,
Singapore, Brunei, as well as select Pacific Island Countries (Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New
Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji), are eligible to apply. However, participation
will also depend on the ability to obtain a visa, if required.

2)​ How do I find a host institution and/or a professor in Switzerland?

Finding a professor in Switzerland is part of the due diligence process that the applicant
must conduct on his/her own. For a comprehensive list of universities, please click on
this link.

3)​ How do I contact a host institute and professor?

●​ Think about the field in which you wish to deepen your research and look for prospective
supervising professors who work in that field.
●​ Write to them (on LinkedIn or via email) and enquire if they’d be interested in taking you
on in their cohort. It can take several weeks to find your host professor, so we
recommend starting as early as possible and writing to as many relevant professors as
possible.
●​ Ideally, your email to them should include:
○​ Details about why you would like to work with them and what about their work
interests you.
○​ Details about your skills and competencies that are relevant to the work in your
chosen field.
○​ Details about your past experiences and how they are relevant to your current
research interest.
○​ Details about how you plan to contribute to and elevate their research.
○​ Details about why you would make a good fit.
○​ Your CV and a proposal/short summary (250-300 words) of the research you
would like to undertake under their supervision.
●​ Applicants are responsible for finding a host professor at a Swiss university as well as for
clarifying the scope of a research project before submitting their applications for the
ThinkSwiss Scholarships.
●​ If you are struggling to identify appropriate professors, reach out to faculty at the
university you are currently enrolled in and enquire if they could recommend suitable
professors for you. Where possible, request your faculty members to introduce you to
prospective professors.

Please refer to this video for further guidance.

4)​ Are there any language requirements?

Foreign language skills are not required for a research stay in Switzerland, as the
working language will generally be English. Knowledge of any Swiss national language
would, of course, be helpful for daily life.

5)​ Do I need the acceptance letter from the professor in a specific format?
 ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships 2026
Please request a confirmation letter on the university/institute letterhead from the host
professor. Upload the PDF version of the same with your application. Please also ask
your host professor to mention the exact duration of your research stay in Switzerland on
your acceptance letter. A copy of the email is not sufficient proof of acceptance.

6)​ I have been accepted by two host institutions. Can I submit two applications for
the scholarship?
No, please choose the host institution that you truly wish to attend and the research topic
you find most interesting. If you submit multiple applications, only the first one will be
considered, and any additional submissions will not be evaluated.

7)​ If I get a host letter from a professor, does it ensure my selection for the
scholarship?
Receiving an acceptance letter from the host institution professor is an application
criterion, not a selection criterion.

8)​ Can the scholarship also be applied to projects at public research institutions or
private higher education institutions?
The scholarship supports research at public universities and public research institutions.
We do not support research stays at private higher education or research institutions.

9)​ Can I submit more than one recommendation letter?

No, please submit only one recommendation letter, whichever you think is the most
compelling.

10)​Are past projects, CGPA or publications part of the evaluation criteria?

Yes, the above points are part of the evaluation and your CV and transcripts should
reflect the same.

11)​I have been accepted by a Swiss host university but the research stint is for a
duration less than 2 months. Can I still apply?
No, your application will not be considered since the minimum duration of the research
stint is 2 months, and the maximum is up to 3 months.

12)​My research project is longer than 3 months; will the scholarship duration be
extended?
ThinkSwiss Scholarships cover a maximum duration of three months. We cannot extend
the length of scholarship support. Students are free to organise additional funding from
other sources for a longer research stay.

13)​I am in my final year of studies, am I still eligible to apply for the ThinkSwiss
Scholarship?
You are eligible to apply as long as you complete your research in Switzerland by the
time you graduate from your home university i.e. you must be enrolled at your home
university until the completion of your research stay in Switzerland.
 ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships 2026
ThinkSwiss Regulations
Notification to awardees
All ThinkSwiss Scholarship winners will be notified by email by 28 February 2026, 21:00 CET
(GMT +2 hours) and must accept this scholarship by 15 March 2026.

Timeframe of your stay

The applicant is free to schedule research anytime between 1 April 2026 to 31 December
2026. The start date of your research internship cannot be later than 1 November 2026. Please
be aware that in Switzerland, the semester break is approximately from June to mid-September
and that during this time, universities are less busy.

Payment of the scholarship

The ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship provides a prorated amount based on the length of your
stay (a maximum of up to three months). The students will get a stipend of 60 CHF/day from the
start to the last day in the University, +2 days for arrival and departure up to a maximum of 90
days (5,400 CHF maximum).

Please note that this amount covers only a portion of the average student’s living
expenses and that you will be asked to prove sufficient financial means to the Swiss
Cantonal authorities before a visa can be issued (see information on visa below). The full
amount of the scholarship money will be transferred to the recipient’s bank account within 10
business days after their arrival in Switzerland.

Additional funding
Please note that research internships at Swiss host institutions are usually unpaid. Since
ThinkSwiss does not cover all expenses (see above), we permit additional funding as long as
the process of acquiring additional funds does not delay the timeframe of your stay.

Obligations as a ThinkSwiss Awardee

As a ThinkSwiss ambassador, you are not only advocating for the programme, but also for
Switzerland as a premier study destination. To help us highlight Switzerland effectively, we ask
that you document your journey thoroughly. Please capture videos, pictures and written
content (in order of preference) to vividly portray your experiences and insights.

Sharing this content on your social media will help us reach a broader audience and inspire
others to consider Switzerland for their studies. We will provide you with some guidelines based
on our needs to assist you in crafting your story and messaging.

Obtaining admission to the Host University

Please note that obtaining the scholarship does not mean that the student has acquired a
specific status (all students enrolled in Swiss universities are assigned a ‘status’ that informs the
level of access they get within the university) and that the awardees must comply with the host
university’s policies regarding admission. Each recipient is in charge of contacting the
international office of your host university in Switzerland to finalise your registration and learn
more about the specifics of your status at the host institution. Please coordinate and stay in
touch with your host professor.
 ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships 2026
Key points to consider while reaching out to a host professor/supervisor:
1.​ Self-Initiated Matching: The ThinkSwiss programme uses a bottom-up approach,
meaning you are responsible for identifying and approaching potential supervisors
independently. The programme does not offer specific support to help you find a match.
2.​ Evaluation and Endorsement: Your potential supervisor will assess your academic
qualifications and must endorse your research proposal. This endorsement is a crucial
part of your application.
3.​ Financial Responsibility: As a ThinkSwiss awardee, you are financially responsible for
your research stay. The host institution does not bear any financial responsibility, and
you are expected to conduct your research using the ThinkSwiss scholarship stipend.
4.​ Agreement and Support Letter: You must reach an agreement with your potential
supervisor. A formal letter from your supervisor stating their willingness to support your
research project is mandatory. Without this letter, your application will be incomplete and
rejected.
5.​ Voluntary Decision: Supervisors participate voluntarily. They are not obligated to
support your application, so approach them respectfully and make a compelling case for
your research proposal.
6.​ Importance of Support Letter: A well-prepared acceptance letter from your host
supervisor can significantly influence the success of your scholarship application. Ensure
you communicate the importance of this letter and provide any needed guidance to help
them draft it effectively.

Responsibilities of the academic supervisor:

If you have found someone who has agreed to act as your supervisor, they are expected to:
●​ Supervise you during their research stay in Switzerland (up to 90 days).
●​ Integrate you into their team, ensuring you have access to necessary resources such as
lab space and infrastructure.
●​ Support you in attaining an appropriate academic status (e.g., visiting researcher) at
your institution.

Applications to ETH Zürich:

Scholars applying to ETH Zurich, kindly check the prerequisites beforehand:
●​ To be eligible for the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, applicants must apply to the
"Project Mobility Students" programme at ETH Zurich. This involves a separate
application process directly with the university, meaning you need to complete both
application processes independently.
●​ Applications to ETH Zurich must be submitted at least two months before the planned
start date of the project. If a visa is required, the application must be submitted at least
three months before the desired start date. Please ensure these deadlines are taken into
account when planning your project. Additionally, it is your responsibility to check and
meet the visa/entry requirements for Switzerland.
●​ Kindly note that acceptance into ETH Zurich's Project Mobility Student programme does
not guarantee selection as a ThinkSwiss Scholarship recipient.

Multiple applications
If you are granted a ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, you cannot apply a second time.
However, if your first application was not successful, you are allowed to apply again.
 ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships 2026

Writing Guidelines - Cover Letter

When writing your cover letter for the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, consider the following
guiding questions to help you craft a strong and focused narrative. The cover letter should be a
maximum of 2 pages (approximately 700-800 words), using standard margins and a 12-point
font size.

Page 1: Research Project Overview

●​ Briefly describe your intended research project, including its main objectives, the tasks
you will undertake and the milestones you will use to measure progress.
●​ What new skills or knowledge do you hope to develop through this research project?
●​ How relevant is the proposed host institution for your research? Are there any existing
collaborations with your home institution, and how will this strengthen them? If there are
no current collaborations, discuss how your research could create new opportunities for
collaboration.

Page 2: Personal Motivation and Qualifications

●​ Why do you deserve the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship? Tell us why you’re
interested in your research area, how this aligns with your career goals, and how your
past experiences and skills will contribute to your project's success.
●​ Describe a time when you faced a new challenge or unfamiliar task in your academic or
research work. How did you approach it, and what did you learn? How do you plan to
apply these lessons to your ThinkSwiss research project?
●​ Explain how you would effectively represent the ThinkSwiss programme as an
ambassador.

Answering these questions thoroughly and thoughtfully will help you create a compelling cover
letter that highlights both your research proposal and your personal qualifications.

General Information
If you are approved for a ThinkSwiss Scholarship, please check with the international
department of the host university and inquire about registering with and accepting guidance
from them in regard to student services available, housing possibilities and other amenities that
may be offered by the host universities.

Visa
Applicants should verify visa requirements based on their nationality. Indian nationals require a
visa to enter Switzerland. We recommend Indian applicants apply for a 'Students for up to 90
days' or a 'Tourist Visa' for research visits of up to 90 days, and a 'Student for more than 90
days' visa for ETH Zurich. Concerning visas to Switzerland, please follow the process
mentioned on the Swiss Embassy website (VFS Global for India) for the necessary visa and
apply with sufficient time in hand. We cannot influence the visa process.

Please note: The conditions for your visa approval are determined by the Canton (state) in
which your research institution is placed. In the process of granting your visa, the respective
Cantonal authorities will ask you to prove that you have sufficient financial means to sustain
 ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships 2026
yourself during the time of your stay, and each of them varies in its regulations. Being awarded
the ThinkSwiss Scholarship (1,600 CHF/month) is generally not accepted as sufficient proof
because the amount of money deemed sufficient varies between 1,500 to 2,200 CHF/month,
depending on the Canton.

Housing
Students are responsible for their own housing, but a good place to start is contacting the
international or housing office of the host university for recommendations.

Insurance​
Please note that the scholarship does not provide health, accident or liability insurance.
Applicants must make sure that they have insurance coverage for their stay in Switzerland, and
it is the sole responsibility of the student to obtain this coverage.

Transportation​
It is highly recommended that you use the convenient public transportation in Switzerland that
takes you almost everywhere. If you plan to travel around Switzerland, it generally makes sense
to buy a half-fare travel card. If you are younger than 25, you can also consider the GA travel
card. Usually, you need to purchase these cards for a period of one year, but often you can
resell them and get a part of your money back. Please check with a salesperson at one of the
SBB counters that you can find in most of the bigger train stations in Switzerland.

Thank you for your interest in ThinkSwiss!