Federal Department f Ecnmic Affairs, Educatin and Research EAER Federal Cmmissin fr Schlarships fr Freign Students FCS Swiss Gvernment Excellence Schlarships fr Freign Schlars and Artists APPLICATION GUIDELINES fr freign applicants t a Swiss University r arts schlarship fr the Academic year 2015-2016 PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND RESPECT THE GUIDELINES TO PREPARE THE APPLICATION FOR A SWISS GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP
TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THE SWISS GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS p. 3. 1. TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND DURATION pp. 4-6. 1.1 Type f schlarships p. 4. 1.2 Study lcatin p. 5. 1.3 Duratin f the schlarship p. 5. 1.4 Schlarship amunt p. 6. 1.5 Semester tuitin fees and Master fees p. 6. 1.6 Insurance p. 6. 1.7 Travel expenses p.6. 2. PRECONDTIONS TO APPLY pp. 7-8. 2.1 Mtivatin and research interest p. 7. 2.2 Cntacting a Prfessr fr research fellwships, PhD and Pstdctral Schlarship p. 7. 2.3 Cperatin between the hme University and a Swiss University p. 7. 2.4 Selectin and Exclusin Criteria p. 8. 2.5 Obligatins f the schlarship hlders p. 8. 3. APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS p. 9-10. 2
ABOUT THE SWISS GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS Thrugh the Federal Cmmissin fr Schlarships fr Freign Students (FCS), the Swiss Gvernment grants freign researchers university schlarships (Swiss universities, Federal Institutes f Technlgy and Universities f applied sciences). These schlarships are ffered n the basis f reciprcity (fixed number f schlarships fr each cuntry) r within the framewrk f a pl (schlarships withut fixed distributin by cuntry). They are intended fr yung researchers wh have graduated frm university (pstgraduates). These schlarships will enable applicants t undertake research wrk in the fields in which the Swiss universities are particularly active. Every cuntry has a specific ffer f schlarships. Please g t the FCS webpage in rder t see which type f schlarship is ffered t yur cuntry f rigin. >>FCS webpage >> http://www.sbfi.admin.ch/schlarships_eng The applicatins have t be submitted fr a preliminary selectin t the natinal institutin in charge and/r t the Swiss diplmatic representatin in the applicant s cuntry f rigin. The Swiss diplmatic representatin will then frward the preselected applicatins t the FCS fr final selectin. 3
1. SCHOLARSHIP TYPES AND DURATION (I) 1.1 Schlarship types Schlarships fr Research Fellwships, PhD and Pstdctral Schlarships: Please g t the FCS webpage in rder t see which type f schlarship is ffered t yur cuntry f rigin. Schlarship applicants that are in Switzerland since mre than 1 year at the beginning f the schlarship will nt be taken int accunt by the Swiss diplmatic representatins. Schlarships fr fine arts and music academies: A special cntingent f schlarships is dedicated t advanced music and arts students. These schlarships apply nly t the fllwing cuntries: Austria Bulgaria Czech Republic Denmark Estnia Finland Greece Germany Hungary Ireland Israel Italy Japan Latvia Mexic Pland Rmania Russia Slvakia Slvenia Suth Krea Spain United States f America Schlarship applicants that are in Switzerland since mre than 1 year at the beginning f the schlarship will nt be taken int accunt by the Swiss diplmatic representatins. 4
1. SCHOLARSHIP TYPES AND DURATION (II) 1.2 Study lcatin The Swiss Gvernment Schlarships are granted fr research in ne f the Swiss public Universities, Federal Institutes f Technlgy r University f Applied Sciences (See FCS webpage). The fine arts and music schlarships are granted fr studies in the public music academies, as well as art and design schls. The schlarship is valid nly fr full-time research in Switzerland. It is nt valid fr n-the-jb studies, part-time studies, crrespndence curses r mixed prgrams (part time in Switzerland and part time in anther cuntry). 1.3 Duratin f the schlarship The schlarships always start in September. (It is nt pssible t start the schlarship in the Spring Semester r any ther time in the year). Research Fellwships: PhD Schlarships: Pstdctral Schlarships: 12 mnths (n extensin pssible) 3 years maximum (The schlarships are nt autmatically extended. Every request will be analyzed accrding t the FCS criteria as well as the academic results). 12 mnths 5
1. SCHOLARSHIP TYPES AND DURATION (III) 1.4 Schlarship amunt Research Fellwships: PhD Schlarships: Pstdctral Schlarships: Arts Schlarships: 1'920.- Swiss Francs per mnth 1'920.- Swiss Francs per mnth 3 500.- Swiss Francs per mnth 1'920.- Swiss Francs per mnth 1.5 Semester tuitin fees and Master fees fr artists The FCS des nt pay fr tuitin and/r semester fees. In mst cases the universities and the Federal Institute f Technlgy f Zurich ETHZ d nt require schlarship hlders t pay the semester fees (generally arund 600 CHF per semester). In sme cases the universities d nt waive the PhD fees. Shuld the Universities and/r Universities f Applied Sciences and fine arts schls nt waive the fees, it is up t the grantee t pay fr the fees. 1.6 Insurance Accrding t the Swiss law, every resident in Switzerland must be cvered by a Health Care Insurance (except fr dental care). Usually, the schlarship hlders are insured by the FCS. Schlarship hlders frm EU and EFTA cuntries have t have their Eurpean insurance card. 1.7 Travel expenses Grantees frm Eurpean and East / Central Eurpean cuntries pay fr their wn travel expenses t Switzerland as well as back t their cuntry f rigin. Grantees frm nn-eurpean cuntries pay fr their wn travel expenses t Switzerland, but the FCS pays an allwance (lump sum) fr the return ticket at the end f the schlarship. Hwever, the return allwance will nt be paid if schlarship hlders extend their stay in Switzerland beynd six mnths after cmpletin f their research, if they take up emplyment pending the cntinuatin f their research r if they mve t a third cuntry. 6
2. PRECONDTIONS TO APPLY (I) 2.1 Mtivatin and research interest Applicants must have a clear research gal. They will have t prvide with their applicatin: Fr Research Fellwships, Pstdctral Schlarships as well as PhD Schlarships: a cmplete research prpsal (max. 5 pages), using exclusively the fficial research prpsal frm prvided with the applicatin package; This dcument is a central piece f the applicatin package. Please devte all the required attentin t it! Infrmatin n the universities, prgrams, and Prfessrs can be btained n the Internet sites f the Swiss academic institutins, n the prtal Swissuniversity.ch and f the Rectrs Cnference f the Swiss Universities. 2.2 Supervisr fr Research Fellwships, PhD Schlarships as well as Pstdctral Schlarships T have an eligible applicatin package, the applicant wishing t undertake a research fellwship, a PhD schlarship r a Pstdctral Schlarship must have a Prfessr in Switzerland willing t supervise his research prject. A letter f invitatin must imperatively be part f the applicatin package. Failure t have a supervisr will result in the rejectin f the applicatin by the relevant institutin in the hst cuntry r by the Swiss Diplmatic Representatin. Fr PhD applicants nly - PLEASE NOTE! The FCS applicatin fr a PhD schlarship and the applicatin fr admissin by a Swiss University fr a PhD study are tw separate prcedures. The admissin t a PhD sutdy at yur chsen Swiss University is a sine qu nn fr a ptential attributin f a FCS schlarship - but n guarantee thugh fr a psitive decisin by the Federal Cmmissin fr Schlarships fr Freign Students. 2.3 Cperatin between the hme University and a Swiss University Candidates submitting their applicatins within the framewrk f a cperatin prgram between their hme academic institutin and a Swiss University/Institutin have a certain pririty. 7
2. PRECONDTIONS TO APPLY (II) 2.4 Selectin and Exclusin Criteria Applicatins will nt be taken int cnsideratin if they are in ne f the fllwing situatins: The applicant des nt fulfill the eligibility criteria stated n the FCS website and applicatin guidelines The applicatin is incmplete, des nt respect the guidelines, des nt include the prper FCS frms r is badly prepared Applicatins fr 2 r mre Universities Applicatins d nt have an invitatin letter frm a Prfessr willing t supervise the research in ne f the Swiss Academic institutins Applicants wh have already benefited frm a Swiss Gvernment Schlarship are nt eligible fr a secnd schlarship Applicants are in Switzerland fr mre than 1 year at the mment f the beginning f the schlarship. 2.5 Obligatins f the Schlarship Hlders Schlarships hlders must live in Switzerland (study place). They must cmply with FCS instructins, regulatins cncerning the residence fr freigners in Switzerland and with university / art institutin regulatins. The FCS des nt have the authrity t decide n the pssibility f bringing the family f the schlarship hlder t Switzerland. This is left t the Federal Migratin Office, which at present deals with requests very restrictively. As a rule, the FCS des nt prvide any family allwance. 8
3. APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (I) Applicatins fr schlarships have t be sent in 3 hard cpies t the natinal institutin / r Swiss Embassy within the deadline. Infrmatin n the deadlines are published n the FCS website. Every applicatin must include the fllwing dcuments in this precise rder: Please d nt put the varius dcuments int plastic sheets r binders. a) The FCS 2015-2016 fficial applicatin frm (typed and printed). N handwritten frm will be accepted b) curriculum vitae c) mtivatin letter d) fr Research Fellwships, Pstdctral Schlarships as well as PhD Schlarships: a cmplete research prpsal (max. 5 pages), using exclusively the fficial research prpsal frm prvided with the applicatin package e) fr Research Fellwships, Pstdctral Schlarships as well as PhD Schlarships : a cpy f the cnfirmatin frm a Prfessr at the intended Swiss University stating that he/she will supervise the research f) letters f recmmendatin frm 2 prfessrs (use the fficial FCS frm nly) g) phtcpies f certificates frm previusly attended universities/clleges and diplmas with grades. fr arts students, phtcpies f certificates and diplmas with grades f previusly attended cnservatries, music clleges r arts and crafts schls h) 1 health certificate (n the FCS frm nly) i) cpy f passprt (main page with persnal data) 9
3. APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (II) Applicants fr schlarships in the area f graphic and applied arts as well as music (nly fr arts fellwships) have t include the fllwing additinal dcuments: j) fr painters, graphic artists and sculptrs: cpies r phts f 3 pieces f their wrk, rugh drafts (with date f creatin) (imperatively put a label with name, surname and cuntry n the wrk) k) fr musicians: high-quality CD f 3 different styles f music if the music invlves interpreters and directrs. Cmpsers have t submit their scres; (imperatively put a label with name, surname and cuntry n the CD) l) a CV using the Eurpass mdel (this dcument is mandatry fr fine arts applicatins) yu can dwnlad the frm at the fllwing address: https://eurpass.cedefp.eurpa.eu/editrs/en/cv/cmpse# If the abve list f applicatin dcuments (a-l) is nt submitted in German, French, Italian r English, then an authenticated translatin in ne f these languages must be included. If the applicatin is shrt listed by the natinal authrity and/r the Swiss Diplmatic Representatin it will be sent t Switzerland fr the final selectin by the FCS. The FCS will infrm yu at the end f May 2015 whether yur applicatin has been successful r nt. Incmplete r badly prepared applicatins, will nt be taken int cnsideratin and returned t the applicant! 10