The CYD Doctoral Fellowships 2025, hosted by Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), provide up to four years of full financial support for PhD research in cyber‑defence disciplines including cybersecurity, AI/ML, data science, cryptography, information security technologies, and related fields. Research is conducted at the Swiss Cyber‑Defence (CYD) Campus under the mentorship of a professor at USI or another Swiss higher‑education institution ↚
Università della Svizzera italiana Switzerland CYD Doctoral Fellowships 2025 (Fully Funded)
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates of any nationality and any age can apply, provided they are enrolled—or plan to enroll—in a Swiss university’s doctoral program and have secured an endorsement from a supervising professor at that institution. Applicants at all stages of their PhD are eligible, but first‑year or incoming PhD students are prioritized
Funding and Benefits
Fellows receive a full doctoral salary aligned with host institution scales (including social security). Annual research support covers up to CHF 3,000, and conference travel support provides up to CHF 5,000 per year. The award spans four years, with the possibility of a fifth year extension Awardees join a high-impact community at the CYD Campus, with top Swiss and international universities, access to essential resources, and networking with experts in digital security
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Application Process
Applications follow a two-stage process: submit a Stage 1 package (CV, motivation letter, project summary) by 20 August 2025 (17:00 CEST). Shortlisted candidates are invited to mentor interviews in September. Following endorsement, full proposals must be submitted by 1 October 2025 (17:00 CEST). Final decisions are announced by the end of November 2025
About the Organization
The CYD Campus, affiliated with EPFL and ETH Zurich, serves as Switzerland’s cyber‑competence center (under armasuisse Science & Technology) dedicated to advancing national cyber‑defence capacities. It bridges academia, government, and industry in cutting-edge research and innovation . USI is the only Italian-language public university in Switzerland, with campuses in Lugano, Mendrisio, and Bellinzona, offering a vibrant multidisciplinary education and research environment
Tips for a Successful Application
Plan ahead to engage a Swiss professor who shares your research interests and secure written endorsement. Focus your pre-proposal on a clear cyber‑defence challenge, research method, and potential impact on Swiss policy or security infrastructure. Highlight academic excellence with top transcripts and a concise motivation letter. For the full proposal, include a well-structured budget request and justification for research or conference needs. Practice articulating your vision during mentor interviews. Submit all documents in English before the Stage 1 deadline