MastersPartial Funding

Excellence Master Fellowships

Last verified 18 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The University of Geneva offers Excellence Master Fellowships to outstanding students pursuing a Master of Science degree within its Faculty of Science, providing grants of CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per year.

Provider: Faculty of Science of the University of Geneva
Host country: Switzerland
Deadline: Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle)
Region: Europe

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: Open to outstanding and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. Regardless of your home university, whether you have passed or are doing a brilliant bachelor degree, and that you are one of the best in your year. You must meet the admission criteria of the Master of your choice and be selected on the basis of the application file for an Excellence Fellowship.
Funding: Partial Funding
Study level: Masters
Deadline: Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle)

Key eligibility criteria

Open to outstanding and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. Regardless of your home university, whether you have passed or are doing a brilliant bachelor degree, and that you are one of the best in your year. You must meet the admission criteria of the Master of your choice and be selected on the basis of the application file for an Excellence Fellowship.

Recorded funding information

Partial Funding

About the Excellence Master Fellowships (2026)

## Overview The University of Geneva's Faculty of Science offers the Excellence Master Fellowships to highly motivated and academically outstanding students from around the world. This prestigious fellowship program supports individuals pursuing a Master of Science degree across a broad range of scientific disciplines, including astronomy, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, pharmaceutical sciences, and earth sciences. The Faculty of Science is a globally recognized research institution, providing an ideal environment for both academic and professional development, with strong ties to industry, teaching, and scientific administration. The selection process for these fellowships is based purely on the principle of excellence. ## Benefits The Excellence Fellowship provides a significant financial grant to support students during their Master's studies. Recipients will receive a grant amounting to CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per academic year. Importantly, there are no teaching duties associated with this fellowship, allowing students to focus entirely on their studies and research. The fellowship is initially awarded for one year and is subsequently extended for the full duration of the chosen Master's program (typically three or four semesters), contingent upon the applicant demonstrating academic success at the end of their first semester of studies. ## Eligibility This fellowship is open to outstanding students from any university, whether they have already completed a brilliant Bachelor's degree or are currently in the final stages of such a program, and are among the top performers in their graduating class. To be considered, applicants must meet the specific admission criteria for their chosen Master's program at the University of Geneva. Current students who have already commenced a Master's program at the Faculty of Science are not eligible to apply for this fellowship. The final selection is based on the strength of the application file submitted for the Excellence Fellowship. ## Required Documents All application documents, in English or French, must be compiled into a **SINGLE** PDF file. The required documents are: * A scanned copy of your national identity card or passport. * A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages). * An official transcript of all exams passed during your Bachelor's education, including all grades. * A compelling motivation letter detailing your specific scientific interests and your reasons for wishing to pursue a Master of Science program at the University of Geneva. * Two letters of reference from professors who can attest to your aptitude and potential for this program. * Any other relevant supporting information, such as results from standardized tests like GRE, TOEFL, or other language proficiency examinations. For students currently at the UNIGE, a scan of your UNIGE card is required. For applicants not yet enrolled at UNIGE, proof that you have initiated the registration process for the Master's program, specifically the email titled “UNIGE-Candidature: Dépôt de votre dossier,” must be included. ## How to Apply The application process is conducted online and typically opens at the beginning of January each year. To be considered for the Excellence Fellowship, each student must first fulfill the general enrollment procedures outlined on the University of Geneva Admissions office website. After successfully registering for admission to a Master's program, applicants will receive a personal link via email, which will allow them to complete and submit the Excellence Fellowship application form. It is crucial to ensure that all required clauses and documents are submitted, as incomplete applications will not be considered. ## Key Dates * **Application Opening:** Beginning of January each year. * **Application Deadline:** The next application deadline is **28 February, 2026**, for Master's programs commencing on September 14, 2026. ## Selection Criteria Candidate selection for the Excellence Master Fellowships is based explicitly on academic excellence. The Faculty of Science looks for outstanding and highly motivated students who demonstrate exceptional promise and aptitude for a Master of Science degree in one of its diverse disciplines. The strength of the academic record, the clarity of scientific interests, and the compelling nature of the motivation letter, along with strong letters of reference, are key factors in the selection process. ## Tips * **Start Early:** Begin preparing your application and gathering required documents well in advance of the deadline. * **Craft a Strong Motivation Letter:** Clearly articulate your scientific interests and why the University of Geneva's Faculty of Science is the ideal place for your Master's studies. * **Secure Strong References:** Choose professors who know you well and can provide detailed, positive assessments of your academic abilities and potential. * **Ensure Completeness:** Double-check that all required documents are included and compiled into a single PDF file, as incomplete applications will be rejected. * **Meet Master's Admission Criteria:** Ensure you meet all the prerequisites for the specific Master's program you are applying to, as this is a fundamental requirement for fellowship consideration. ## Official Source For additional information and to access the application portal, please refer to the official program page: [https://www.unige.ch/sciences/en/enseignements/formations/masters/excellencemasterfellowships/](https://www.unige.ch/sciences/en/enseignements/formations/masters/excellencemasterfellowships/)

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

Partial Funding

Excellence Master Fellowships eligibility

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

Open to outstanding and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. Regardless of your home university, whether you have passed or are doing a brilliant bachelor degree, and that you are one of the best in your year. You must meet the admission criteria of the Master of your choice and be selected on the basis of the application file for an Excellence Fellowship.

Excellence Master Fellowships document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the Excellence Master Fellowships 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://www.unige.ch/sciences/en/enseignements/formations/masters/excellencemasterfellowships/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: Open to outstanding and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. Regardless of your home university, whether you have passed or are doing a brilliant bachelor degree, and that you are one of the best in your year. You must meet the admission criteria of the Master of your choice and be selected on the basis of the application file for an Excellence Fellowship.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

Excellence Master Fellowships deadline & application timeline

Provider deadline information: Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle)
Provider deadline information: Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

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Editorial verification note

AI returned past date "28 February, 2026". The deadline is clearly stated on the page for Masters starting September 14, 2026.

Last checked 5/18/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Excellence Master Fellowships?+

Open to outstanding and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. Regardless of your home university, whether you have passed or are doing a brilliant bachelor degree, and that you are one of the best in your year. You must meet the admission criteria of the Master of your choice and be selected on the basis of the application file for an Excellence Fellowship.

What funding does the Excellence Master Fellowships offer?+

Listed funding: Partial Funding. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://www.unige.ch/sciences/en/enseignements/formations/masters/excellencemasterfellowships/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Open to outstanding and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. Regardless of your home university, whether you have passed or are doing a brilliant bachelor degree, and that you are one of the best in your year. You must meet the admission criteria of the Master of your choice and be selected on the basis of the application file for an Excellence Fellowship.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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