EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2026

EPFL Excellence Fellowships are competitive merit-based scholarships offered by the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), one of Switzerland's leading science and technology universities. The programme is aimed at highly qualified students with excellent academic records who are applying to eligible EPFL master's degree programmes.

The fellowship is generally intended for master's-level study and is awarded on the basis of academic excellence. Funding typically helps with study and living costs during the master's programme, but the exact value and components can vary by year and call. Because it is an excellence award rather than a universal fee waiver for all students, selection is highly competitive.

Applicants are usually considered in connection with their application for admission to an EPFL master's programme. In practice, students should review the relevant master's programme page and the EPFL fellowship information page to confirm whether their chosen programme is eligible and whether a separate scholarship indication or application step is required. As with most selective EPFL awards, candidates are expected to present a strong academic transcript, a compelling academic background, and supporting application materials requested for admission.

EPFL is located in Switzerland, so the fellowship is taken up at EPFL in Lausanne. The programme is open to outstanding applicants from Switzerland and abroad, subject to the rules of the relevant master's admission cycle. Students should check programme-specific admission requirements, language expectations, and any timelines published by EPFL for the intake they are targeting.

• Host institution: EPFL
• Host country: Switzerland
• Level: Master's
• Basis of award: Academic excellence
• Application route: Usually via EPFL master's admission process