Fully Funded Excellence Master Fellowships

About the Fellowship

The Excellence Master Fellowships at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) are prestigious, merit-based awards designed to support outstanding and highly motivated students pursuing a Master of Science degree within the Faculty of Science. This fellowship programme aims to attract top academic talent from around the world and foster excellence in advanced scientific training.

Hosted by one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities, the fellowship supports students across a broad spectrum of disciplines, encouraging interdisciplinary learning, academic innovation, and international collaboration. With strong links to Swiss National Centres of Competence in Research and European research initiatives, the programme aligns with global research priorities while preparing graduates for careers in academia, industry, education, science policy, and communication. The fellowship provides generous financial support with no teaching obligations, allowing recipients to focus fully on their studies and research training.

Fellowship Details

Position Title: Excellence Master Fellow
Host Institution: University of Geneva – Faculty of Science
Administering Body / Funding Agency: University of Geneva (with external partners)
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Research Field(s): Natural Sciences and related interdisciplinary fields
Fellowship Type: Fully funded Master’s fellowship
Level: Master’s (high-achieving students)
Fellowship Duration: 1 year, renewable for the full Master’s programme (3–4 semesters)
Expected Start Date: September 2026
Working Hours: As per the Master’s programme requirements
Funding / Compensation: CHF 10,000–15,000 per year (no teaching duties)
Required Degree/Diploma: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Supported Research Fields / Areas

Astrophysics
Biochemistry and Chemical Biology
Biology and Biomedical Sciences
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Sciences
Environmental Sciences (MUSE)
Mathematics and Numerical Sciences
Neuroscience
Pharmacy
Physics
Bi-disciplinary Master of Science programmes

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Completed or near-completion of a Bachelor’s degree with excellent academic results
Ranking among the top students in the academic cohort
Fulfilment of the admission criteria for the chosen Master’s programme at UNIGE

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong academic references
Clear motivation for advanced scientific study
Evidence of research potential or academic distinction

Not Eligible:

Students who have already started a Master’s programme at the Faculty of Science, University of Geneva

Fellowship Benefits

Annual grant of CHF 10,000–15,000
No teaching or administrative duties
Access to world-class research facilities and academic supervision
Opportunity to study in a leading European research environment
Full integration into the University of Geneva academic community

Key Responsibilities

Successful completion of coursework and examinations
Active engagement in the selected Master’s programme
Maintenance of excellent academic performance for fellowship renewal

Application Process

How to Apply:

Apply online after registering for a Master’s programme at the University of Geneva
Submit the Excellence Fellowship application via the dedicated online portal

Required Documents (single PDF file, English or French):