Applications are open for the EPFL Master Excellence Fellowship 2027 in Switzerland. EPFL awards a limited number of merit fellowships worth CHF 10,000 per semester, normally for three or four semesters depending on the programme, plus a reserved student-room place for external candidates. International applicants are eligible. External candidates must complete, pay for and validate their EPFL Master’s application by 15 December 2026.
Lausanne, Switzerland
CHF 10,000 per semester
15 December 2026
What does the EPFL fellowship cover?
The official award is CHF 10,000 per semester. A 120-credit Master’s can receive up to four semesters, including the Master’s-project semester; a 90-credit programme can receive up to three. External recipients also receive a reserved place in student housing, but rent is not free.
This is a high-value merit award, not a guarantee of full funding. EPFL explicitly says students remain responsible for tuition, rent and all living expenses. Payments go to a Swiss bank or postal account at the start of each semester, and the first payment can take time, so successful applicants should arrive with a first-month buffer.
Who is eligible?
- Anyone applying to an eligible EPFL Master’s programme may seek consideration, including international candidates.
- You need the academic preparation required for the chosen programme and an outstanding record.
- You cannot apply if you already hold a Master’s degree or are currently enrolled in an EPFL Master’s programme.
- Each applicant may apply to only one EPFL Master’s programme per year.
EPFL does not publish a minimum GPA for the fellowship. The award is highly competitive and only a small share of applicants receive it. Eligibility therefore does not imply realistic competitiveness.
Selection criteria: what makes a strong application?
Academic excellence is central, but EPFL also considers qualifications, motivation and achievements beyond grades. The university specifically identifies research experience, publications, prizes, fellowships, entrepreneurship, patents, start-up activity, sport, arts and civic or social engagement. Academic sections preselect candidates before the Excellence Fellowships Committee makes final awards.
ScholarshipHubNow’s interpretation: this fellowship suits applicants whose record contains both exceptional academic evidence and a distinctive contribution. A long list of activities is less persuasive than two or three achievements with clear scale, difficulty and personal ownership. Explain what changed because of your research, initiative or service, and connect that evidence to the Master’s programme you selected.
Required documents
External candidates do not submit a separate fellowship dossier. They use the documents required for EPFL Master’s admission and tick the fellowship-consideration box. EPFL’s admission file commonly requires identity details, academic records and programme-specific material; rely on the current portal checklist for your chosen degree.
Reference letters follow a special timing rule: external applicants must validate the application by 15 December, while referees may upload their letters during the additional period stated in the applicant’s confirmation email. Do not assume a date from an older cycle.
How to apply for EPFL Master Excellence Fellowship 2027
- Choose one EPFL Master’s programme. Confirm entry requirements and whether your Bachelor’s preparation matches its academic prerequisites.
- Open the official online application. Complete every admission field and upload the requested documents.
- Tick the Excellence Fellowship box. This is how external candidates enter scholarship consideration; there is no separate public scholarship portal.
- Brief your referees early. Give them the portal instructions and the exact post-validation date shown in your confirmation email.
- Pay and validate by 15 December. An unpaid or unvalidated application is not eligible for the fellowship even if the admission file can be reviewed later.
- Monitor the official email address. Selection notifications are issued after section screening and committee review.
Deadline and time-zone caution
For external candidates, the official deadline is 15 December 2026. EPFL’s scholarship page does not state a clock time or time zone, so do not invent a midnight cutoff. Complete payment and validation at least a day early. Current EPFL students pursuing a consecutive Master’s in the same field have a separate 31 January 2027 route through their section.
Renewal conditions
Second-year renewal requires excellent performance: at least a 5.0/6 weighted average and at least 50 eligible ECTS credits in the first Master’s year. Language, admission and out-of-plan credits do not count toward that threshold. EPFL says there are no exceptions when the renewal standard is missed.
Practical applicant guidance
- Build a full budget. Compare the CHF 10,000 payment with tuition, insurance, rent and Lausanne living costs rather than calling the award “fully funded.”
- Show programme fit. Link past coursework and projects to specific EPFL curriculum strengths; avoid generic reputation statements.
- Quantify achievements. Give outcomes, selectivity, scale or evidence of adoption where possible.
- Protect the validation deadline. Uploading files is not the same as completing payment and validation.
- Plan alternatives. Because the award rate is small, consider external funding and programmes with broader support.
Other scholarships to compare
- DAAD Master’s scholarships in Germany
- Erasmus Mundus EMMIR Scholarship 2027
- Oxford Clarendon Scholarships 2027
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28
Frequently asked questions
Can international students apply?
Yes. EPFL confirms that international candidates may apply if they meet the Master’s admission requirements.
Is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship fully funded?
No. It provides CHF 10,000 per semester and housing reservation for external recipients, but students pay tuition, rent and living expenses.
Is there a separate scholarship application?
External candidates tick the fellowship box inside the EPFL Master’s application. They do not submit an additional scholarship dossier.
Can I apply if I already have a Master’s?
No. EPFL states that applicants who already hold a Master’s degree are ineligible.
When are results released?
EPFL’s pages currently contain slightly different timing language: the application page mentions late March, while the FAQ refers to early April for the first round and early-to-mid June for a second round. Treat the email from EPFL as controlling.
Official sources and Apply Now
- Official fellowship overview
- Eligibility, funding, application and deadlines
- Official fellowship FAQ
- EPFL Master’s admission information
Apply Now on the Official EPFL Site
Official information checked on 11 October 2026. Requirements can change; verify the live EPFL application and confirmation email before submitting.
