ETH Zurich Opens Applications for Excellence Scholarship 2025 | Full Funding, Mentorship, and More

Picture this: You recently completed your bachelor's degree, and you're hoping to enroll at ETH Zurich, one of the most prominent universities in Europe. Then you find something that almost seems too good to be true: a scholarship that covers your living expenses and academic costs, and even connects you with a network of bright people and mentors.

The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Program (ESOP) is that.

So, what exactly is ESOP?

This scholarship doesn’t just hand out money; it sets you up for success. It covers full tuition fees and living expenses (CHF 12,000 per semester!) and offers mentorship plus access to the ETH Foundation’s powerful network.

Who’s eligible?

Here’s what ETH Zurich looks for:

• A stellar academic record from your bachelor’s degree (top 10%)
• A solid pre-proposal for your master’s thesis (yes, you’ll need to draft one yourself)
• Two reference letters from professors (unless your program already asks for them)
• And of course, a reachable phone number, because shortlisted candidates might get a call or video interview around February.

Official link

How much is the scholarship worth?

Brace yourself, CHF 12,000 per semester, plus a complete tuition fee waiver.

That’s roughly ₹22 lakhs a year, depending on currency rates. And since most ETH master’s programs last three or four semesters, that’s potentially close to ₹35–45 lakhs in total benefits.

Application timeline

The application window runs from November 1 to November 30, 2025 (11:59 PM MEZ).
All applications go through eApply, ETH Zurich’s online portal.

So if you’re planning to apply, start preparing your pre-proposal early. ETH takes this document seriously, it should show you’ve done your homework, know your topic, and understand how it fits into ETH’s research environment.

And yes, plagiarism or misinformation? Strictly off-limits, it can revoke offers if they discover issues later.

How are scholars selected?

About 60 ESOP scholarships will be awarded for the 2025–26 academic year.
The selection process is competitive and handled by each Master’s program’s admissions committee, with final approval from the university’s Rector.

Results? Expect an answer by the end of March 2026.

Final thoughts

The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Program at ETH Zurich may be your ticket to Switzerland if you're a motivated, academically gifted student who is prepared to advance your education.

Put November 1–30, 2025, on your calendars and begin drafting your pre-proposal right away.

Since it's impressive to get into ETH Zurich, what about ESOP? That’s excellence on greater level.