How an Indian Biochemistry Scholar Won the Fully Funded Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for a PhD at the University of Bern

My name is Katyayani Sharma, and I’m originally from Lucknow, India. I recently completed my Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Bern, Switzerland. I was part of the Translational Hormone Research group at the Department of Biomedical Research. My research focused on identifying and Targeting Novel mechanisms involved in Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

From an early stage, I was fascinated by the complexity of biological systems and how molecular-level understanding can drive innovations in healthcare. This curiosity led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Genetics and Genomics, followed by a Master’s in Biochemistry. My academic journey, coupled with hands-on research experience, inspired me to take the next step toward a Ph.D., where I could contribute meaningfully to the field of cancer biology and endocrinology. I’m passionate about scientific discovery and deeply motivated by the potential to translate lab-based findings into real-world therapies.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Details

To pursue doctoral studies at the University of Bern, Switzerland, I received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship program offered by the Swiss Confederation, specifically through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). It is designed to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. It is a 3-year full-time scholarship to study in Swiss universities.

Educational Background

I pursued a Master of Science in Biochemistry (2016–2018) and a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Genomics (2013–2016), both from the University of Lucknow, India. I graduated at the top of my class during my master’s program and was honored with the Prof. P. S. Krishnan Gold Medal for securing the highest marks in MSc Biochemistry. Throughout these programs, I developed a strong foundation in genetics, molecular techniques, enzymology, and cellular biology. These early academic experiences allowed me to build essential laboratory skills, critical thinking, and a research-oriented mindset, skills that became invaluable during my doctoral research in hormone-related cancers.

My academic record and research interests also helped me qualify for nationally competitive exams in India, including the Junior Research Fellowship – NET LS and the GATE in Life Sciences, further validating my preparedness for advanced scientific research. Altogether, my educational background laid a comprehensive groundwork, both theoretically and practically.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships?

Due to extensive competition to secure academic positions in highly reputed educational institutes in India, students generally undergo a rigorous screening process, which includes national-level entrance exams. I think that from the very beginning, appearing and qualifying for these exams helped me a lot to handle pressure and failures. They also prepared me for a way to clear number of interviews at the time of application for PhD courses in various institutes.

My process to select and apply to an institute was quite simple; I would focus on a particular lab group that had similar research interests as mine, the members of the research group, and the supervisor. Most important for me was to find collaborative, empathetic, and understanding lab members. I believe that to have an efficient outcome from the doctoral research and accomplishment of the PhD degree, it is utmost important to have a conducive environment to keep one’s mental health in place. A PhD is itself very challenging, and apart from that, as a foreign student being away from your family, culture, and country could be quite stressful already, so one should always keep these things in mind while applying.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the idea is not to stand out from other applications but to keep things original and honest. Your application should reflect your personality, and this, in a way, is beneficial for both the applicant and the host lab. Because eventually, you need to work together for a successful outcome. What I also learned when applying to different scholarships was that you need to little bit design your application in alignment with the formats provided by the host institute. Take feedback or try to improvise your motivation letter each time you get rejected to see what difference it made this time, for example, if you got an interview call or were shortlisted for another round. Learn, Improvise, Repeat.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again? What Advice Would You Give Future Applicants?

I really don’t have any regrets and would really do not want to change anything in the past. I would definitely like to learn from the past and improve myself. Sometimes these processes can be demotivating and discouraging, but then you have to keep going, keep applying without making any compromise in your principles and ethics. Don’t try to become a people pleaser just for the sake of it. Be original. Even today, I cannot believe that I got this scholarship and got to pursue a PhD program in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Sometimes it is indeed a matter of luck. One has to believe in one’s hard work and belief. Perseverance and persistence are the key to achieving any goal in life.