University of Bern Scholarships and Student Funding Guide 2026/2027

Eligibility

• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
• Mainly for talented early-career researchers from abroad.
• Applicants usually must already have completed a master’s degree.
• Research applicants need a Swiss academic supervisor willing to guide the proposed research.
• Art scholarships are only available to students from a limited number of countries.

Social Fund Foundation

• Must be registered at the University of Bern.
• Must be in acute financial emergency.
• Emergency must be unforeseen, not self-caused, and not permanent.
• Student should be close to completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, with only one semester missing.
• The foundation does not provide funding at the start of studies or long-term support.

SUB Social Fund

• For SUB or MVUB members and exchange students.
• Must be facing immense financial difficulties.
• Support may be one-off financial support or a loan up to CHF 5,000.

Required Documents

There is no single document list for all funding routes.

Possible documents may include:

• Application form
• CV
• Academic transcripts
• Motivation letter
• Research proposal
• Swiss supervisor confirmation, for Swiss Government research scholarships
• Budget plan
• Financing plan
• Proof of University of Bern enrollment
• Proof of SUB/MVUB membership, where applicable

For the Social Fund Foundation, the University of Bern confirms that the budget plan and financing plan must be submitted with the request.

Application Steps

1. Open the official University of Bern scholarship page.
2. Check whether you need scholarship funding, student emergency support, research funding, or mobility funding.
3. Choose the correct funding route.
4. Open the official provider page linked by University of Bern.
5. Read the eligibility carefully.
6. Check the current deadline.
7. Prepare the documents required by that specific provider.
8. Apply only through the official portal or official contact.
9. Do not pay agents or random email contacts claiming to guarantee a scholarship.

Important Warnings

• The University of Bern says it does not award scholarships itself.
• The university says it does not organize entrance or admission exams abroad.
• Fake scholarship offers are circulating online and by email.
• Swiss Government Scholarship applications are free. SERI warns applicants not to send money to fake scholarship offers.
• Do not market this as a fully funded bachelor’s or master’s scholarship from University of Bern.
• Visa support is not confirmed on the University of Bern scholarship page.