EPFL awards Excellence Fellowships of CHF 10,000 per semester — plus guaranteed student housing — to the most outstanding students beginning any of its 29 Master's programmes. There is no separate fellowship form: you tick the box on your Master's application and submit within the first application window (15 December for external applicants). It is brutally competitive, with sections preselecting candidates before the Excellence Fellowships Committee decides.
Why it is notable: The 2027 cycle has a NEW hard rule — miss the 15 December first-window deadline and you can still be admitted, but you are no longer eligible for the fellowship. And unlike most awards, it pays cash (CHF 10,000/semester) while tuition remains your own bill.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
CHF 10,000 per semester, paid at the start of each semester into a Swiss bank or postal account (open one on arrival; bring sufficient funds for the first month as the initial payment may take time)
Maximum 3–4 semesters: 120-credit MSc = MA1–MA3 + 1 semester for the Master's project (project semester requires proof of official enrolment in the project); 90-credit programme = max 3 semesters; double degree = EPFL semesters only (renewal conditions apply)
Guaranteed housing: reservation of a student room in a student residence (for external students)
Certificate of Excellence awarded on successful completion of the Master's programme
Tuition fees and rent remain the student's own responsibility — the fellowship is a financial contribution, not a fee waiver
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor Masters
This fellowship is offered for Master's programmes at EPFL (2027 entry).
Who can apply
All nationalities (international students explicitly eligible, provided they meet EPFL Master's eligibility criteria) — including EPFL Bachelor's graduates and external students.
Experience
No experience required (research publications, prizes, patents, start-ups and civic activities enrich the profile)
Language Certificate
Course-dependent (per Master's programme admission requirements; extra documents such as TOEFL or GRE are welcome but not compulsory and have no influence on the fellowship evaluation)
Other Certificates
Standard EPFL Master's application file (per the online application instructions)
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
Eligible = all nationalities (open to EPFL graduates and external students alike). Excluded = none by nationality; excluded by status = holders of a Master's…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
Bachelor's degree meeting EPFL Master's admission criteria; remarkable academic results plus extracurricular distinction (sporting, artistic, civic, entrepreneurial); no minimal GPA published — very competitive.
02
Documents
Complete Master's application file (no separate fellowship documents); TOEFL/GRE welcome but not compulsory and non-influential.
03
Deadline discipline
Must apply within the first application window (15 Dec / 31 Jan); late applications lose fellowship eligibility (admission unaffected).
04
Essays/answers
Per the Master's application requirements (no separate fellowship essay published).
05
Renewal
≥50 ECTS + overall average 5.0/6 for year-two renewal.
06
Fee
No separate fellowship fee.
Document checklist
01Complete EPFL Master's application file (per the online application instructions)
02Fellowship box checked on the application form (no separate fellowship application)
03Internal consecutive-Master's candidates: application submitted directly to their section
Application fee
No separate fellowship fee — completely free (the Master's application fee, if any, follows EPFL admission rules — UNVER
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Swiss residence permit for study (non-EU/EFTA students apply for a student visa at the Swiss embassy/consulate).
Application Procedure
8 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Prepare the EPFL Master's application file (per
the online application instructions) and submit it within the FIRST application window.
→
02
Check the Excellence Fellowship box on the
Master's application form (internal EPFL candidates continuing in the same field apply directly to their section).
→
03
Applications are preselected by the respective sections
the Excellence Fellowships Committee awards the fellowships.
↓
06
Complete EPFL Master's application file (per the
online application instructions)
←
05
Fellowship renewal for year 2
obtain ≥50 ECTS credits with an overall average of 5.0/6.
←
04
Selected candidates are notified at the beginning
of April (first round); confirm your intention to attend EPFL by the Registrar's Office deadline in the email.
↓
07
Fellowship box checked on the application form
(no separate fellowship application)
→
08
Internal consecutive-Master's candidates
application submitted directly to their section
Application milestones
15 Dec 2026
Application deadline
31 Jan 2027
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne platform.
Can international students apply? A: Yes — provided they meet the eligibility criteria for EPFL's Master's programmes; the fellowship application is integrated into the Master's application form.I already have a Master's degree. Am I eligible? A: No — candidates who already hold a Master's degree are not eligible.Can I apply for the fellowship for the second year only? A: No — the fellowship application must be submitted at the same time as the Master's application.Is there a minimum GPA? A: No minimal GPA is published, but the programme is very competitive and only a small percentage of applicants are awarded; renewal requires a 5.0/6 average.Do TOEFL or GRE scores help? A: They are welcome but not compulsory and have no influence on the fellowship evaluation.Does the fellowship cover tuition fees? A: No — students are responsible for their own expenses, including tuition fees and rent.When are results announced? A: Selected candidates are notified at the beginning of April (first round) and early to mid-June (second round).What if I defer my admission? A: Deferring or postponing admission loses the fellowship — but you may reapply for the fellowship the following year through the standard process.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Switzerland · École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne