MastersFully Funded 195 days left

Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)

The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) supports outstanding Master’s students with full funding, mentorship, and access to a network provided by the ETH Foundation.

Provider: ETH Zurich
Host country: Switzerland
Deadline: Nov 30, 2026
Region: Europe

Official source

Topics

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) is open to African students applying to study in Switzerland at the Masters level, with fully funded 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: Fully Funded
Study level: Masters
Deadline: Nov 30, 2026

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must have a very good Bachelor’s degree result (top 10%) and apply within the first application window for a Master’s program. Students already enrolled in an ETH Zurich Master’s program or holding a Master’s degree are ineligible.

What the fully funded award covers

Full tuition

About the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) (2026)

## Overview The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) at ETH Zurich is a prestigious scholarship designed to attract and support outstanding Master’s students from around the world. This program goes beyond financial assistance, offering a comprehensive package that includes mentorship and networking opportunities through the ETH Foundation. The ESOP aims to foster academic excellence and provide an enriching environment for future leaders in various fields of study. Approximately 60 ESOP scholarships are awarded annually, depending on the availability of funds. ## Benefits The ESOP provides a generous financial package to cover the full study and living costs associated with a Master’s degree at ETH Zurich. Key benefits include: * **Scholarship Amount:** CHF 12,000 per semester to cover living and study expenses. * **Tuition Fee Waiver:** Full waiver of tuition fees for the duration of the Master’s program. * **Duration:** The scholarship is awarded for the regular duration of the Master’s program, typically three or four semesters. * **Mentorship:** Scholars receive mentorship, providing guidance and support throughout their studies. * **Networking:** Access to a valuable network of academics and professionals through the ETH Foundation. ## Eligibility To be considered for the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme, applicants must meet the following criteria: * **Academic Excellence:** Applicants must have achieved a very strong result in their Bachelor’s degree program, placing them in the top 10% of their graduating class (equivalent to a grade A). * **Application Timing:** Must apply within the first application window for the Master’s program. * **Program Status:** Not currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program at ETH Zurich. * **Prior Degree:** Must not hold a Master’s degree. * **Contactability:** Ensure that the provided telephone number in the CV is accurate and that the applicant is reachable, as the selection process may include a phone or video conference interview in February. ## Required Documents In addition to the standard documents required for Master’s admission at ETH Zurich, ESOP applicants must submit specific supplementary materials: * **Pre-proposal for Master’s Thesis:** A self-developed pre-proposal for the Master’s thesis is mandatory. This document should demonstrate established scientific citation practices. Plagiarism or misinformation will lead to immediate exclusion. * **Reference Persons/Letters:** If your chosen study program does not typically require references, you must name two reference persons (professors) for your ESOP application. These individuals will then be prompted by the system to upload a reference letter on your behalf. ## How to Apply The application process for the ESOP is integrated with the standard Master’s application to ETH Zurich: 1. **Online Application:** All ESOP applications are submitted via eApply, ETH Zurich’s online Master’s application portal. 2. **First Application Window:** It is crucial to apply within the first application window for the Master’s program to be considered for the ESOP. 3. **Upload Documents:** Ensure all required documents, including the specific ESOP application documents like the pre-proposal, are uploaded correctly. 4. **Reference Letters:** If applicable, ensure your designated reference persons are aware and prepared to submit their letters after receiving an email from the system. ## Key Dates * **Application Window:** November 1 to November 30, 2026, 11:59 AM MEZ. * **Start of Program:** Master program in HS27. * **Interview Period:** February (potential phone/VC interview). * **Decision Notification:** End of March. ## Selection Criteria The selection process for the ESOP is highly competitive and rigorous: * **Academic Performance:** A very strong Bachelor’s degree result (top 10%) is a primary criterion. * **Pre-proposal Quality:** The quality and originality of the Master’s thesis pre-proposal are crucial. * **References:** Strong reference letters (if applicable) can significantly enhance an application. * **Interview Performance:** Performance in any potential phone or video conference interviews will be considered. * **Admissions Committees:** Applications are evaluated by the Admissions Committees of the respective Master’s programs. * **Final Decision:** The Rector of ETH Zurich makes the final decision on awarding the scholarships, with approximately 60 scholarships assigned annually based on available funds. ## Tips * **Start Early:** Begin preparing your application and, especially, your Master’s thesis pre-proposal well in advance of the deadline. * **Pre-proposal:** Carefully craft your pre-proposal, ensuring it demonstrates independent thought, a clear research question, and adherence to scientific citation practices. * **References:** Choose your reference persons carefully and ensure they are aware of the requirements and deadlines for submitting their letters. * **Availability:** Be reachable by phone/VC in February for potential interviews. * **Accuracy:** Double-check all information and documents for accuracy and completeness before submission. ## Official Source For the most up-to-date and complete information regarding the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme, please refer to the official ETH Zurich website: [https://ethz.ch/en/studies/financial/scholarships/excellencescholarship.html](https://ethz.ch/en/studies/financial/scholarships/excellencescholarship.html)

What the Fully Funded Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 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.

Full tuition

Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) eligibility for Switzerland applicants

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

Applicants must have a very good Bachelor’s degree result (top 10%) and apply within the first application window for a Master’s program. Students already enrolled in an ETH Zurich Master’s program or holding a Master’s degree are ineligible.

Documents required for the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 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)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 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://ethz.ch/en/studies/financial/scholarships/excellencescholarship.html and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must have a very good Bachelor’s degree result (top 10%) and apply within the first application window for a Master’s program. Students already enrolled in an ETH Zurich Master’s program or holding a Master’s …". 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://ethz.ch/en/studies/financial/scholarships/excellencescholarship.html, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Aim to have the full draft complete by 1 Oct 2026. Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Nov 30, 2026 (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours before the 30 Nov 2026 deadline. 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, ETH Zurich 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.

Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) deadline & application timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (Nov 30, 2026). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.

12 months out
5 Dec 2025
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
3 Jun 2026
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
1 Sept 2026
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
31 Oct 2026
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
30 Nov 2026
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 Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)?+

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

Is the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. 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 Nov 30, 2026. 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.

Guides for this scholarship

Next steps & guides

Pick the guide that matches where you are right now.

Explore related programmes

Long-form sponsor guides, country pages and category pages connected to this scholarship.