Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships offers students from India, Singapore, Australia, Brunei, and select Pacific Island Countries (Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji) fully-funded research stints in a Swiss laboratory of their choosing.
Focus: Antimicrobial Research (AMR), Biodiversity or Climate change and Action, Health, Disaster risk reduction and Architectural resilience.
Applicants eligible for this scholarship must be enrolled at or funded by an accredited university or research institute in India, Australia, Singapore, Brunei, or selected Pacific Island Countries including Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji. Candidates should either be currently enrolled in a Master’s programme or have completed their second year of undergraduate study by the time the research stay begins. Doctoral and postdoctoral candidates are not eligible. Additionally, applicants must secure written confirmation from a professor at a Swiss university or research institute who has accepted them into their group or laboratory.
The application process requires several key documents, including an acceptance letter from a Swiss professor, a cover letter of no more than two pages, a curriculum vitae of no more than two pages, a recommendation letter from the applicant’s home university professor, and academic transcripts. Applicants are responsible for finding a host professor in Switzerland and clarifying the scope of their research project prior to submission. Early outreach to potential supervisors is encouraged, as identifying a host may take time. Emails to professors should include details about interest in their work, relevant skills, past experiences, and proposed contributions, along with a CV and short research proposal.
Successful applicants will be notified of the award by 28 February 2026 and must confirm acceptance by 15 March 2026. Research stays may be scheduled anytime between 1 April 2026 and 31 December 2026, with a latest permissible start date of 1 November 2026. The stipend, covering up to 90 days, amounts to a maximum of CHF 5,400 and will be transferred to the recipient’s bank account within 10 business days of arrival in Switzerland. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient financial means to Swiss Cantonal authorities before obtaining a visa, as the scholarship covers only a portion of living expenses. The deadline for submitting applications is 31 January 2026.
For more information, visit Swissnex.
