EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027 | Application Process

The EPFL Excellence Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for international students who wish to study in Switzerland. This fully funded scholarship is available for master’s programmes. The EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027 covers 10,000 CHF per semester along with accommodation, tuition fees, and visa fees. In this article, we provide a complete guide to the EPFL Excellence Fellowship, including scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, required documents, application deadlines, and a detailed step-by-step application process.

EPFL offers a limited number of fellowships at the master’s level to students with outstanding academic records. Some of the fellowships are financed directly by EPFL, while others are funded through partnerships with foundations or companies. EPFL is Europe’s most cosmopolitan technical university, with students, professors, and staff from over 120 nations. A dynamic environment open to Switzerland and the world, EPFL focuses on three key missions: teaching, research, and technology transfer.

EPFL collaborates with an extensive network of partners, including other universities and institutes of technology, secondary schools and colleges, industry, political circles, and the general public, to bring about a meaningful impact on society.

EPFL Excellence Fellowship Highlights

Degree ProgrammeMaster’s
Scholarship ProviderÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Study DestinationSwitzerland
Fields of StudyAll degree programmes are available
Programme Duration2 years
FundingFully Funded

EPFL Excellence Fellowship Benefits

The EPFL Excellence Fellowship will provide the recipients with the following benefits:

  • CHF 10’000 per semester
  • Reservation of a student room in a student residence
  • A certificate of excellence (at the end of the master’s program)
  • Fellowship holders will be responsible for covering all expenses on their own (including rent).

The fellowship will be paid for 4 semesters maximum (3 semesters for a 90-credit master’s programme), provided that the fellowship holder is registered as a regular EPFL student (see section 4.6). No extension is possible, even in the case that the student decides to take a minor or for any other reason that might extend the duration of studies.

Eligibility Requirements for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027

The following are the minimum eligibility requirements for the EPFL Excellence Fellowships:

  • English is the required language.
  • Students from all countries are eligible to apply
  • Anyone holding a bachelor’s degree from a university (or the equivalent) in a field related to EPFL curricula can apply to one of the EPFL master’s programmes. (are not eligible candidates who already hold a master’s degree, or equivalent, in the field (or a similar field) of the programme for which they would apply).
  • The applicants should hold outstanding academic records and references.

Step-by-Step Application Process for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027

The following simple and easy application process will help you to apply for this scholarship:

Step 1: Register through the online application from here.

Step 2: Fill in the online application.

Step 3: All documents provided should be in English, French, German or Italian. Please attach a legalised translation of all documents in another language:

  • A resume.
  • Your academic diploma(s) or bachelor’s certificate. If you are not yet in possession of your diploma, you must imperatively submit it to the Academic Service upon your arrival.
  • All your certified university graduation reports.
  • A cover letter should not exceed 1000 words. We ask you to describe your academic background and your career plan.
  • The contact details of three academic referees, each of whom will have to provide a letter of recommendation concerning you (except for candidates already registered in another Swiss Federal Institute of Technology or University who apply for a master’s degree in the same branch of study as their bachelor’s).
  • Three referees; letters of recommendation should come from teachers who are familiar with your work and your potential. These recommendations are confidential and will not be accepted if they are not generated by the electronic application.
  • Your identity card or passport.
  • For foreigners domiciled in Switzerland: your residence permit.

EPFL Excellence Fellowship Application Deadline

The annual application deadline for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship 2027 is 31 March or 15 December.

For further information about the EPFL Excellence Fellowship and the application process, please visit the official website:

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate application for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship, or is it automatic?

You don’t submit a separate scholarship application. The fellowship request is integrated into the same Master’s application (you tick the fellowship box in the Master application form). For some internal EPFL cases, the application can be handled directly by the section.

Is there an interview for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?

EPFL does not list an interview as part of the Excellence Fellowship selection. The process is described as a file-based evaluation: sections preselect candidates, then the Excellence Fellowships Committee awards fellowships. Any interview you may encounter would typically relate to admission/program evaluation, not the fellowship itself.

When are Excellence Fellowship results announced?

EPFL states that selected candidates are notified at the beginning of April (first round) and early to mid-June (second round).

Is there a minimum GPA required to win the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?

EPFL states there is no published minimum GPA for selection, but the program is very competitive and only a small percentage of applicants receive the fellowship.

Do TOEFL/GRE scores increase my chances for the Excellence Fellowship?

EPFL notes that extra documents such as TOEFL or GRE are welcome but not compulsory and do not influence the evaluation for the MSc Excellence Scholarship.

Does the Excellence Fellowship waive EPFL tuition fees?

No. EPFL indicates recipients are responsible for their own expenses, including tuition fees and rent. The fellowship is a financial contribution (plus housing reservation for eligible candidates), not a full fee waiver.

How competitive is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship (acceptance rate)?

EPFL’s official guidelines describe the selection as very competitive and indicate that only about ~3% of Master’s students receive this kind of financial support.

Can I defer my admission and keep the Excellence Fellowship?

No. EPFL states that if you defer/postpone your admission, you lose the scholarship. You may reapply for the fellowship the following year through the standard application process.

If I already started an EPFL Master’s, can I apply for the Excellence Fellowship for my second year only?

No. EPFL states the fellowship request must be submitted at the same time as the Master’s application. It is not possible to apply only for the second year once you are already enrolled.

Can I combine the EPFL Excellence Fellowship with another scholarship?

EPFL states the Excellence Fellowship cannot be combined with other substantial scholarships. You must declare any scholarships you receive or expect to receive; EPFL notes that some additional funding may be allowed and is reviewed case by case.

When and how is the fellowship paid (and what should I prepare before arrival)?

EPFL states the fellowship is paid at the start of each semester into a Swiss bank or postal account. EPFL advises students to bring enough funds to cover the first month because initial processing can take some time.

Can I work part-time while receiving the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?

Yes. EPFL states that working in Switzerland does not affect the amount or continuation of the Excellence Fellowship (you must still follow Swiss/EPFL rules for student work).

What do I need to do to renew the Excellence Fellowship for the second year?

EPFL states renewal depends on excellent academic performance after the first year. To be renewed, fellows must reach an overall average of at least 5.0/6 and earn at least 50 ECTS credits (with specific exclusions). EPFL states there are no exceptions if these conditions are not met.

What happens if someone selected for the fellowship does not confirm or withdraws?

EPFL states that if a selected candidate withdraws or fails to respond, the fellowship can be offered to the next candidate on the waiting list, who will receive a new deadline to confirm matriculation.

If I transfer to another EPFL Master’s program after being awarded the fellowship, will it continue?

EPFL states that transferring to another study program is possible, but the scholarship is not guaranteed to continue after the transfer.