Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne-EPFL Excellence Fellowship applications are now open to international students. EPFL offers limited master’s level fellowships to students who have excelled academically. This fellowship is a merit-based and very competitive program considering the evaluation of the academic records of the candidates.

EPFL will fund some of these fellowships directly, while others are available through collaborations with foundations or private companies.

Anyone holding a bachelor’s degree and interested in pursuing a master’s degree at EPFL is eligible for this opportunity. Students of EPFL’s second master’s degree program are not eligible for an excellence fellowship.

Important Details

• External Candidates (Bachelor’s degree from a university abroad):
  • 1st round: December 15, 2024
  • 2nd round: March 31, 2025
• Internal Candidates (Bachelor’s degree earned at EPFL) – Same Field of Study:
  • 1st round: January 31, 2025
  • 2nd round: April 15, 2025
• EPFL Students Wishing to Change Their Field of Study:
  • 1st round: December 15, 2024 (Recommendation letters deadline: January 31, 2025)
  • 2nd round: March 31, 2025 (Recommendation letters deadline: April 15, 2025)
• Organized By: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
  Degree Level: Master’s degree
• Fellowship Duration:4 Semesters (Not Extendable)
• Fellowship Location: Switzerland
• Gender: Male/Female
• Funding Type: Partially Funded
• Eligible Nations: International

Benefits of EPFL Excellence Fellowship

Successful applicants will benefit from the EPFL Excellence Fellowship as follows:

• Each semester, Fellows will receive CHF 10,000.
• Room reservation.
• Certificate of excellence awarded after the master’s program.
• Improved networking with influential industry people

Note: Fellowship recipients will be responsible for covering all of their expenses (including tuition fees and rent)

Requirements for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship

To apply for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship, applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Applicants from any nationality applying to a Master’s program at EPFL are eligible to apply.
• Students will be chosen based on their academic performance.
• Applicant’s EPFL degree should not be a second master’s degree.
• Those currently enrolled in a Master’s program at EPFL are not eligible
• External candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an international university.
• Internal candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from EPFL.
• Candidates should declare all the scholarships they receive during their master’s degree.

Required Documents

Applicants should include the following documents in English, French, German, or Italian. Please attach a legalized translation of all documents in another language:

Mandatory Documents:

• Resumé (CV)
• Copy of University Degree(s) (if already available)
• Complete Transcripts from each university attended
• Statement of Purpose
• Contact Details of Three Academic Referees (who will provide recommendation letters)
  • Exceptions: Not required for holders of an EPFL Bachelor’s degree, ETH Zürich graduates, or Swiss university/FHS/HES graduates applying for a Master’s in the same field
• ID/Passport

Optional Documents:

• TOEFL or GRE scores
• Research publications
• Other relevant portfolios/work samples (uploaded online only)
• Work Portfolio (for Architecture Applicants)
• Twelve Months of Professional Experience (upload work certificates if available)
• Authentifiable Academic Documents (to be submitted before matriculation if accepted)

Required Documents for Master’s Program Students at EPFL:

Applicants applying for a master’s degree at EPFL should submit the following documents in English, German, French, or Italian. Documents in other languages should have a legalized translation in either language:

• CV
• Motivation letter
• Transcript of all grades earned at EPFL
• Two recommendation letters from professors familiar with the student’s work and achievements must be submitted directly by the referees to [email protected].

Note: EPFL will only consider documents uploaded to the online application form; no papers will be sent by postal mail.

How to Apply for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?

Application procedures for external and internal students are highlighted as follows:

Application Procedure for External Students

• Candidates outside Switzerland holding a bachelor’s degree from a university abroad should apply by March 31, 2025 (second round), tapping the Apply Now button below.
• Please check the box to tick indicating the candidate’s profile consideration for an excellence fellowship.
• No additional documents are required, but those are required for admission to the master’s program.

Apply Now

Application Procedure for Internal Candidates (Inside Switzerland)

EPFL bachelor’s degree holders must apply to the section and copy [email protected]—no IS-Academia submission is needed. Please follow the deadlines above.

EPFL Students Changing Fields

EPFL students changing fields must apply via EPFL’s online Master application and check the excellence fellowship box.

Apply Now

For more information on the EPFL Excellence Fellowship, please visit the EPFL’s official website or read the guidelines.

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