Defend the Digital Horizon: CYD Doctoral Fellowships 2025
About the Program
This prestigious initiative provides up to four years of funding, including a full doctoral salary (with social security benefits), research grants and conference support. With the possibility of a one‑year extension, the fellowship enables international researchers to complete their PhD under the joint supervision of a Swiss university professor and CYD Campus mentors
What’s Included
Support includes a competitive salary aligned with host institution scales, annual research funding up to CHF 3,000, and conference allowance up to CHF 5,000. The program focuses on real-world themes such as protecting cyber‑physical systems, AI‑driven threat detection, data privacy, digital trust technologies, and collaborative security solutions
Who Should Apply
This opportunity welcomes applicants of any nationality and age who are enrolled or planning to enroll in a Swiss PhD program and have secured endorsement from a Swiss professor. Preference is given to candidates who are just beginning their doctoral studies or have yet to start. A strong academic record and demonstrated potential in cyber‑defence research are essential
Application Timeline & Process
The selection process unfolds in two stages. Submit a brief application (including CV, motivation letter, and project summary) by 20 August 2025 (17:00 CEST) to reach Stage 1. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by potential mentors in September. Full proposals and endorsement letters must be submitted by 1 October 2025 (17:00 CEST). Final award decisions will be communicated by the end of November 2025
Why This Fellowship Matters
This fellowship places you at the forefront of Switzerland’s national cyber‑defence ecosystem, providing access to top-tier research infrastructure at EPFL, ETH Zurich, and the CYD Campus in Thun. It fosters collaboration with leading experts across academia and government, helping you contribute to critical innovations in digital security and resilience