Scholarships
Supporting the Next Generation of Researchers
Thanks to the generosity of private donors, the Foundation of the Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece makes several grants available to researchers to support the next generation of academics.
Several classical archaeology departments at Swiss universities also offer training and research grants.
In addition, a range of national funding opportunities is available through Swiss institutions and other private funding bodies.
Anastasia Lazaridis-Voukoleia Scholarship
The “Anastasia Lazaridis-Voukoleia” scholarship aimed at encouraging and supporting young Swiss researchers in the field of modern and contemporary Greek studies (language, literature, history, and the history of art and architecture).
This short-term scholarship is awarded annually to PhD holders or graduate students in Swiss universities conducting research that requires a stay in Greece. The funds may be used to cover the recipients’ travel, accommodation, or publication expenses.
Origin: This scholarship was established in 2026 through the testamentary wishes of Mrs. Anastasia Lazaridis, in agreement with the ESAG Foundation.
Eligibility: Established researchers (PhD holders) and graduate students of Swiss nationality, working in the field of modern Greek studies.
Terms: The scholarship amounts to €2,500, intended to cover expenses for a one-month (or longer) research stay in Greece during the year. It may be awarded to the same recipient a maximum of two times. Depending on availability, recipients may be accommodated in ESAG’s apartments in Athens and Eretria.
Applications deadline: January 31
Applications should be sent electronically to admin@esag.swiss and must include:
– a curriculum vitae;
– a research project description (max. 750 words), written in French, German, Italian, or English, outlining the topic, its connection to modern Greek studies, and the planned dates of stay;
– two letters of recommendation, sent directly before the application deadline
The Clairmont-von Gonzenbach scholarship
The “Clairmont-von Gonzenbach” scholarship aimed at encouraging and supporting young Swiss researchers in the field of Ancient Greece, particularly in connection with the fieldwork and museum studies carried out by the Swiss School.
This short-term scholarship is awarded annually to PhD holders or graduate students in Swiss universities conducting research that requires a stay in Greece. The funds may be used to cover the recipients’ travel, accommodation, research costs or publication expenses.
Origin: This scholarship was established in 1994 by Victorine et Christophe Clairmont-von Gonzenbach, in agreement with the ESAG Foundation.
Eligibility: Established researchers (PhD holders) and graduate students of Swiss nationality, working in the field of ancient Greek studies.
Terms: The scholarship amounts to €5000, intended to cover expenses for a one-month (or longer) research stay in Greece during the year. It may be awarded to the same recipient a maximum of two times. Depending on availability, recipients may be accommodated in ESAG’s apartments in Athens and Eretria.
At the end of the scholarship period, recipients must submit a report on their stay, and provide two copies of any resulting publications to ESAG’s library and archives.
Applications deadline: January 31
Applications should be sent electronically to admin@esag.swiss and must include:
– a curriculum vitae;
– a research project description (max. 750 words), written in French, German, Italian, or English, outlining the topic, its connection to ancient Greek studies, and the planned dates of stay;
– two letters of recommendation, sent directly before the application deadline
University of Lausanne funding scheme
Théodore Lagonico Foundation
Created in March 1973 by Mr. Théodore Jean Lagonico, the Théodore Lagonico Foundation offers one or more fellowships each year to contribute to the graduate study costs or research costs of doctoral students enrolled at the University of Lausanne.
The grant(s) are meant for students or researchers of Swiss nationality interested in Greece or Greek students/ researchers who wish to study in Switzerland.
The student(s) or researcher(s) enrolled at the University of Lausanne will follow classes or conduct research in Classical Studies, mainly Greek archeology, Greek history, or Ancient Greek literature. Greek student(s) or researcher(s) must hold a Master’s Degree, and enroll at the University of Lausanne or become affiliated as visiting scholars with the University’s Institute of Archeology and Classical Sciences.
Link to Théodore Lagonico Foundation
Sophie Afenduli Foundation
The Sophie Afenduli Foundation was created in 2005 according to Mr. Alexandre Afenduli’s wishes.
Each year, the Foundation offers one or more scholarships intended to contribute, totally or partially, to the costs of postgraduate studies, research training, and research in Switzerland at a university, a polytechnic school, or any other equivalent school.
The scholarships are intended for Greek students and researchers wishing to study or conduct their research in Switzerland, as well as for Swiss students and researchers who work in a field of interest to Greece.
The Sophie Afenduli Foundation is a support for Greek-Swiss studies and research.
Link to Sophie Afenduli Foundation
The FELRA Foundation
The FELRA (“Fondation pour l’encouragement du latin, la recherche et l’archéologie”) Foundation’s purpose is (i) to encourage and support the study of Latin, including Latin history, at the university level, (ii) to fund research and archaeological projects related to any period in which Latin was used, and (iii) to encourage and support the restoration of any work or object of Latin origin. The Classical Antiquity and Roman periods are notably included within the aforementioned purpose.
A scholarship not exceeding CHF 20,000 (paid in one or several installments) may be awarded to deserving candidates, taking into account criteria such as the connection to the foundation’s purpose, the candidate’s financial need, the interest of the project, and its connection to the Canton of Vaud.
Société Académique Vaudoise
Founded in 1890, the Société Académique Vaudoise brings together former students, teachers, and friends of the University of Lausanne. Its mission includes maintaining and developing the connection between the university and the cantonal authorities as well as civil society.
It supports researchers, professors, and students through various forms of assistance, including research grants, publication grants, and end-of-studies scholarships.
Link to the Société Académique Vaudoise
University of Lausanne research funding
University of Geneva funding scheme
Greek-Swiss Jean-Gabriel Eynard Scholarship
The Jean-Gabriel Eynard scholarship aims to promote, in Geneva, the study of the language, civilization, or environment of modern Greece. It is awarded to students wishing to improve their command of the Greek language through language study stays, or to conduct research in the humanities or natural sciences related to Greece.
The Jean-Gabriel Eynard scholarship, worth a maximum of CHF 1,000, is reserved for students of the University of Geneva, or for students from other Geneva-based institutions whose activities relate to the scholarship’s objectives.
Link to the Greek-Swiss Jean-Gabriel Eynard Association
Société académique de Genève
The Classical and Oriental Studies Fund was established by Boissier, Naville, and van Berchem. It supports research and work in the fields of classical and oriental archaeology, classical philology, and the history and history of religions of antiquity.
Link to the Société académique de Genève
University of Geneva research funding
University of Basel funding scheme
Basel Foundation for Classical Archaeology
The Basel Foundation for Classical Archaeology was established in 1999. The Foundation gives contributions to students, doctoral students and post-doctoral students of Classical Archaeology for study visits abroad, costs of their publications and the like; to the costs of participation in congresses; to excavation campaigns and their evaluation; to excursions of students of classical archaeology.
Link to the Basel Foundation for Classical Archaeology
Foundation for Theological and Philosophical Studies
A local foundation that provides grants to help cover travel expenses. Funding is restricted to students and doctoral candidates at the University of Basel. The foundation does not maintain its own website; inquiries should be directed to the Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Basel.
Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft, Basel
Founded in 1835 by citizens of Basel, the Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft (FAG) aims to promote higher education and scientific research in general. In particular, it supports the University of Basel and the city’s academic and scientific collections. Funding opportunities are primarily intended for researchers.
Link to the Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft
Alfred Mutz Foundation
Alfred Mutz (1903-1990), a vocational school teacher from Basel, conducted research on the history of ancient technology from the 1940s onward. Through numerous publications and reconstructions of historical tools, he made significant contributions to the field. In 1976, Alfred Mutz established a foundation which Provides financial support for the preparation and publication of works on ancient, especially classical, technology and the history of technology.
Link to the Alfred Mutz Foundation
Dr. Daniel Schuhmann Fonds
The archaeologist Dr. Daniel Schuhmann (1982-2016), who passed away at the age of 34, was a pioneer in connecting archaeology and computer science from the beginning of his studies at the University of Basel. The Dr. Daniel Schuhmann Fund pursues charitable purposes by supporting academic research, scholarship, vocational education, and student assistance. It is dedicated to supporting students and doctoral candidates in Prehistoric and Early Historic Archaeology, Roman Provincial Archaeology, Prehistoric and Scientific Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, and Modern General History.
Swiss Association for Classical Archaeology
ASAC study grant
Since 2024, ASAC has offered student and PhD candidate members the opportunity to apply for financial support of up to CHF 200 to attend conferences in Switzerland and abroad.
ASAC grant applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year. The number of ASAC grants awarded is limited to a maximum of ten per year.
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships support international doctoral and postdoctoral researchers conducting full-time research at Swiss universities and recognized research institutes. For archaeology researchers in Switzerland, the scheme offers opportunities to host outstanding international scholars, foster international collaboration, and strengthen research networks through funded projects in Switzerland.
Berrow Scholarship, Oxford, Lincoln College
Up to six Berrow Foundation Scholarships are awarded annually to Swiss nationals, domiciled in Switzerland, who are graduates from the universities of Berne, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel or the EPFL, and who wish to undertake post-graduate study in any field as members of Lincoln College, Oxford. Candidates should either currently be members of one of these institutions, or not be more than five years beyond graduation from the first degree from one of them. The Scholarships can only be held at Lincoln College.
Applications are open to students of Swiss or Liechtenstein nationality, who are domicile in Switzerland or Lichtenstein and who have either obtained their first degree in the last fiver years from the universities of Fribourg, Lausanne, EPFL, Neuchâtel, Geneva, or Berne. The Berrow Foundation Scholarships are tenable for up to three academic years, subject to satisfactory progress.
Fritz Thyssen Foundation
The Fritz Thyssen Foundation, headquartered in Cologne, was established in 1959. The sole aim of the Foundation is to provide direct support for science and research at universities and research institutes primarily in Germany, with a special emphasis on junior researchers. It offers funding for research projects which are limited in time, small research conferences, and to a limited extent the publication of the results of research work produced with funding from the Foundation.
Link to the Fritz Thyssen Foundation
Gerda Henkel Stiftung
Funded in 1976, the Gerda Henkel Stiftung supports the historical humanities and the preservation of cultural heritage in Germany and worldwide. Grants are available for
specific temporary research projects by way of grants for personnel, travel and material expenses; research and PhD scholarships for German and foreign scholars (not for studies under PhD level); publications of particularly successful projects supported by the Foundation.