Study in Switzerland: The EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships 2026

The EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships offer a limited number of excellence fellowships, along with guaranteed housing, to candidates who have achieved remarkable academic results and who distinguish themselves in extracurricular activities, whether sporting, artistic, civic, or entrepreneurial.

Application Deadlines:

• 1st round: 15 December 2026

Tell Me About The Program:

The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) offers Master Excellence Fellowships to reward outstanding students beginning their Master’s studies. Each fellowship is worth CHF 10,000 per semester and includes guaranteed housing for external candidates. The program recognizes not only academic excellence but also achievements in research, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and extracurricular activities.

Which Fields are Eligible?

• All EPFL Master’s programs are eligible, except:
  • LLM (non‑advanced)
  • MSc programs at Leiden Law School (not applicable here, but EPFL excludes similar non‑advanced programs).

Type:

• Merit‑based Fellowship | Master’s | Switzerland

Who can Apply?

Applicants must:

• Apply for an EPFL Master’s program.
• Demonstrate academic excellence and extracurricular distinction.
• Not already hold a Master’s degree.
• Not already be enrolled in an EPFL Master’s program.

How are Applicants Selected?

• Preselection by academic sections.
• Final decision by the Excellence Fellowships Committee.
• Notifications:
  • April 2027 (1st round)
  • June 2027 (2nd round)

Which Countries Are Eligible?

• All nationalities worldwide.

Where will the Program be Taken?

• EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.

How Many Awards?

• Limited number of fellowships awarded annually.

What is the Benefit of the Program?

• CHF 10,000 per semester (up to 4 semesters).
• Housing reservation for external candidates.
• Certificate of excellence upon completion.
• Flexibility to pursue internships and first work experiences aligned with scientific interests.

How Long Will the Program Last?

• Maximum of 4 semesters (including Master’s project semester).

Required Documents:

• External candidates: No extra documents beyond Master’s application.
• Internal candidates (same field):
  • CV
  • Motivation letter
  • Transcript of grades
  • 2 recommendation letters (sent directly by referees).
• Internal candidates (changing field):
  • Master’s application documents
  • 2 recommendation letters (sent directly by referees).

Renewal Conditions:

• Maintain average GPA of 5.0/6.
• Earn at least 50 ECTS credits in the first year.

How to Apply:

1. Submit Master’s application via EPFL online portal.
2. Check the Excellence Fellowship box.
3. Upload required documents (depending on candidate type).
4. Submit before the relevant deadline.

Visit the Application Webpage for Details