The CYD Doctoral Fellowships offer full support to outstanding PhD candidates with interests in cyber-defence, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence. The fellowship promotes research excellence and develops future leaders in digital security and resilient technologies. Funding and research opportunities are given within the CYD Campus research space in Switzerland.
About the CYD Doctoral Fellowships
The CYD Doctoral Fellowships are a collaborative research initiative by the CYD Campus. The programme supports doctoral studies that solve issues in digital security and data science.
Fellows enjoy financial support and easy access to world-class research. Through workshops, seminars, and collaborative research activities, the fellowship builds professional networks. The award is open to candidates from all countries who plan to pursue their PhD studies at CYD Campus partner institutions in Switzerland.
Funding Size
- Typical grant amount: CHF 48,000
- Maximum award: CHF 192,000
- Project duration supported: Four years of PhD research, with an optional fifth year
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Who Can Apply for the CYD Doctoral Fellowships
Eligible Organisation Types
- Individual doctoral researchers enrolled in a recognised PhD programme
- Candidates affiliated with or accepted into a CYD Campus partner institution
- Candidates with demonstrated research potential and academic excellence
- Applicants prepared to contribute to collaborative research activities
Registration or Legal Documents
- Proof of doctoral enrolment
- Endorsement letter from a supervising professor
- Academic Curriculum Vitae
- Official academic transcripts
- Structured research outline
Project Focus Requirements
- Research must address cybersecurity and related domains
- The proposed project must show clear scientific objectives
- Research must align with the mission of the CYD Campus space
- Applicants must show the capability to contribute to research
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Cybersecurity innovations
- Data science methodologies and analytics
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications
- Information privacy, digital trust, and secure systems
- Interdisciplinary research integrating computing and engineering
Geographic Eligibility
- Open to applicants from all countries
- Fellows must conduct research at a CYD Campus partner institution in Switzerland
- Candidates must be able to reside in Switzerland or travel as required
- Research must be hosted by an eligible Swiss academic institution
- Applicants must meet the host institution’s residency and work requirements
Application Process
- Identify a supervising professor at a CYD Campus partner institution
- Prepare a concise Stage 1 showing your project’s objectives and significance.
- Show supporting documents from your supervisor.
- Submit the Stage 1 materials via the official application platform
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Required Materials
- Proposal summary
- Academic CV
- Proof of acceptance into a PhD programme
- Supervisor endorsement letter
- Official transcripts
- Stage 2 research plan
- Letters of reference
Key Dates
- Stage 1 Application Deadline: 25 February 2026
- Stage 2 Full Proposal Deadline: 8 April 2026
- Shortlist Review: March – April 2026
- Final Decisions Announced: May 2026
Selection Notes
- The CYD Doctoral Fellowships are competitive
- Priority is given to research that advances cybersecurity, data science, AI, and interdisciplinary digital research
- The fellowship does not support applicants without supervisor endorsement and research hosted outside CYD Campus partner institutions.
Official Source of the CYD Doctoral Fellowships
Application Page: https://epflresearchfunds.gomovein.com/locallogin/5d77bf02089cc332e062a3a2/eng