MastersPartial

EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships

EPFL offers a limited number of excellence fellowships to outstanding Master’s students, providing financial support and guaranteed housing to those who demonstrate remarkable academic results and extracurricular involvement.

Provider: EPFL
Host country: Switzerland
Region: Europe

Official source

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships is open to African students applying to study in Switzerland at the Masters level, with partial funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters · applicants for Switzerland
Funding: Partial
Study level: Masters
Deadline

Key eligibility criteria

Outstanding students beginning their Master’s studies at EPFL, including those with a Bachelor’s from EPFL or another institution, who have achieved remarkable academic results and distinguish themselves in extracurricular activities.

What the partial award covers

Accommodation

About the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships (2026)

## Overview The EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships are designed to recognize and support exceptionally talented students embarking on their Master’s studies at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. This prestigious program offers a limited number of fellowships, coupled with guaranteed housing, to candidates who have not only demonstrated outstanding academic achievements but have also distinguished themselves through significant involvement in extracurricular activities, whether in sports, arts, civic engagement, or entrepreneurship. The primary objective of these fellowships is to alleviate financial burdens, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in their Master’s studies. Beyond academic focus, the program encourages students to engage in various activities that enrich their professional development and cultivate interdisciplinary skills. By providing financial assistance, EPFL aims to broaden students' horizons, enabling them to pursue internships and initial work experiences based on their genuine scientific interests and career aspirations. ## Benefits Recipients of the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowship receive substantial financial support totaling CHF 10,000 per semester. This funding is consistently provided throughout the duration of their Master’s program. In addition to the financial award, fellows are guaranteed housing, a significant advantage in a competitive academic environment like Switzerland. The fellowship's design ensures that students can concentrate on their academic pursuits without undue financial stress, thereby facilitating a more enriching and focused educational journey. ## Eligibility To be considered for the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships, candidates must meet the following criteria: * **Academic Excellence:** Applicants must possess an outstanding academic record, demonstrating remarkable results in their previous studies. * **Master’s Enrollment:** The fellowship is open to students who are beginning their Master’s studies at EPFL. This includes both students who have obtained their Bachelor’s degree from EPFL and those who have completed their undergraduate studies at other institutions. * **Extracurricular Involvement:** Candidates must distinguish themselves through participation and achievements in extracurricular activities, which can range from sporting and artistic endeavors to civic engagement or entrepreneurial initiatives. While academic background is a critical component of the evaluation, EPFL emphasizes a holistic assessment, considering a candidate's broader experiences and achievements. ## Required Documents Specific required documents for the fellowship application are integrated into the Master’s application process. Prospective fellows must indicate their interest in the fellowship by checking the corresponding box on their Master’s application form. They are then required to submit the requested application file as part of their overall Master’s application. Internal candidates continuing in the same field of study will submit their application directly to their respective section. ## How to Apply Applying for the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowship is seamlessly integrated with the general Master's application process. Interested candidates should: 1. **Complete the Master’s Application:** Submit a complete application for their desired Master's program at EPFL. 2. **Indicate Fellowship Interest:** Ensure to check the designated box on the Master’s application form to indicate interest in the Excellence Fellowship. 3. **Provide Application File:** Submit all required documentation as part of the comprehensive Master’s application package. This package typically includes academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a CV, and a personal statement. EPFL advises applicants to highlight any outstanding achievements that enrich their profile, including research publications, prizes, previous fellowships, entrepreneurial ventures (e.g., patent applications, start-up creation), or societal commitments (e.g., associative or civic activities, event organization). ## Key Dates The official page for this fellowship does not explicitly state a separate deadline for the fellowship application. The fellowship application is typically tied to the Master’s program application deadlines. ## Selection Criteria The selection process for the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships is comprehensive, evaluating candidates on several key aspects: * **Academic Background:** This is a crucial factor, with significant weight given to the candidate’s academic record and achievements. * **Extracurricular Engagement:** Candidates’ experiences in various areas such as research (publications, prizes, fellowships), entrepreneurship (patent applications, start-up creation), and societal commitment (associative or civic activities, organization of festivals and events) are highly valued. * **Overall Profile:** EPFL considers all outstanding achievements that contribute to a well-rounded and distinguished student profile. For the fellowship to be renewed for the second year of the Master’s degree, students must achieve at least 50 ECTS credits and maintain an overall average of 5.0/6.0. ## Tips * **Highlight All Achievements:** Ensure your application comprehensively details all academic accomplishments, research experiences, entrepreneurial activities, and community involvement. Every outstanding achievement can strengthen your profile. * **Craft a Strong Personal Statement:** Use your personal statement to articulate your motivations, future aspirations, and how your past experiences align with the values of EPFL and the fellowship. * **Secure Strong Recommendations:** Seek letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your academic prowess, research potential, and character. * **Attention to Detail:** Double-check your entire application for accuracy and completeness before submission. * **Early Application:** While no specific fellowship deadline is mentioned separately, applying for the Master’s program well in advance of the deadline is generally advisable. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official program page: [https://www.epfl.ch/education/master/master-excellence-fellowships/](https://www.epfl.ch/education/master/master-excellence-fellowships/)

What the Partial EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Accommodation

EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships eligibility for Switzerland applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Outstanding students beginning their Master’s studies at EPFL, including those with a Bachelor’s from EPFL or another institution, who have achieved remarkable academic results and distinguish themselves in extracurricular activities.

Documents required for the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.epfl.ch/education/master/master-excellence-fellowships/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Outstanding students beginning their Master’s studies at EPFL, including those with a Bachelor’s from EPFL or another institution, who have achieved remarkable academic results and distinguish themselves in extracurricul…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.epfl.ch/education/master/master-excellence-fellowships/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, EPFL will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by EPFL, and be able to relocate to Switzerland for the duration of the programme.

Is the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is . Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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