EPFL CYD Fellowships 2027 in Switzerland | Apply Now

The CYD Fellowships – A Talent Program for Cyber-Defence Research is a joint initiative of EPFL and the Cyber-Defence Campus, supported by armasuisse Science and Technology.

The programme aims to advance research and innovation in cyber-defence by connecting academic research with practical security challenges.

Selected researchers conduct their projects at the CYD Campus, which operates across locations associated with EPFL, ETH Zurich and Thun.

The programme supports promising researchers with strong academic records and, where relevant, professional achievements.

Selection is highly competitive, with academic excellence, research quality and alignment with the programme's objectives playing important roles.

EPFL CYD Fellowships 2027 Overview

• Programme: CYD Fellowships – A Talent Program for Cyber-Defence Research

• Host country: Switzerland

• Organisers: EPFL and Cyber-Defence Campus

• Supporting institution: armasuisse Science and Technology

• Research location: CYD Campus, Switzerland

• Opportunity type: Funded research fellowships

• Levels: Master's thesis, doctoral and distinguished postdoctoral research

• Additional category: Proof of Concept Fellowship

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities

Related: Browse more fully funded fellowships on OHUB.

The programme provides financial and research support tailored to each fellowship category.

1. Financial Support

Eligible master's fellows receive a living allowance, while doctoral and distinguished postdoctoral fellows receive salary contributions based on the host institution's employment scale.

Proof of Concept fellows can request funding for eligible project expenses.

2. Research Funding

Fellows may receive additional funding for approved research costs.

The maximum amount depends on the fellowship category.

3. Conference Support

Doctoral and distinguished postdoctoral fellows may receive up to CHF 5,000 annually for eligible conference expenses.

4. Research Experience in Switzerland

Selected fellows conduct their projects at the CYD Campus and collaborate with Swiss higher education institutions.

5. Academic and Professional Collaboration

The programme connects researchers working on academic and applied cyber-defence challenges.

6. Access to Specialised Research Environments

Fellows can work in research environments associated with the CYD Campus and its partner institutions.

7. Career Development

The fellowships provide opportunities to develop research expertise, contribute to technical projects and build academic or professional experience.

The precise application documents depend on the fellowship category and current call guidelines.

Applicants should prepare the following materials where requested:

• Updated academic CV

• Academic transcripts

• Degree certificates or proof of enrolment

• Research proposal or pre-proposal

• Description of research objectives

• Relevant academic and professional achievements

• Information about the proposed Swiss host institution

• Supervisor endorsement or supporting documentation at the required stage

• Research budget where applicable

• Other documents listed in the official application toolkit

Important: This is a preparation checklist, not a confirmed universal document list.

The official doctoral and postdoctoral toolkit currently available on EPFL's website refers to the 14th call. Applicants to the 15th call should use the updated documents when they are released on 3 December 2026.

Eligibility depends on the selected fellowship category.

General Eligibility

• Applicants of any nationality may apply

• There are no age restrictions

• Candidates must demonstrate strong academic or professional achievements

• Research must align with the CYD programme's objectives

• Applicants must meet the category-specific institutional requirements

• Required application documents must be submitted in English

Master's Thesis Applicants

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in a master's programme at a higher education institution in Switzerland

• Have an eligible professor or supervisor willing to supervise their thesis

• Propose a suitable cyber-defence research topic

Doctoral Applicants

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in a doctoral programme at a Swiss higher education institution by Stage 2

• Have endorsement from a professor at an eligible Swiss institution

• Propose research relevant to cybersecurity and Swiss cyber-defence

• Demonstrate strong academic performance

Applicants early in their doctoral studies receive preference.

Distinguished Postdoctoral Applicants

Applicants must:

• Meet the requirements for postdoctoral research

• Secure endorsement from a professor at a Swiss higher education institution by Stage 2

• Conduct their fellowship research in a different laboratory from their doctoral and current postdoctoral laboratory, where applicable

• Submit a suitable research proposal

Proof of Concept Applicants

Applicants must:

• Hold or be pursuing a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree recognised in Switzerland

• Propose an innovative cyber-defence product or service

• Have an eligible Swiss research or startup hosting arrangement

• Demonstrate potential for practical application or commercialisation

Related: Explore more PhD scholarships and postdoctoral research opportunities on OHUB.

Can African Researchers Apply for EPFL CYD Fellowships?

Yes. The CYD Fellowships are open to applicants of all nationalities, including eligible researchers from African countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia and others.

However, nationality eligibility does not remove the programme's academic and institutional requirements.

For example:

• Master's Thesis Fellowship applicants must already be enrolled at a Swiss higher education institution.

• Doctoral Fellowship applicants must meet Swiss doctoral enrolment and supervision requirements by Stage 2.

• Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants must secure an eligible Swiss professor's endorsement.

• Proof of Concept applicants need an eligible Swiss hosting arrangement.

African applicants interested in doctoral or postdoctoral research should examine the Swiss institutional requirements before preparing their proposals.

Applications must be submitted through the official online submission platform.

Step 1: Visit the Official CYD Fellowship Website

Open the EPFL CYD Fellowships website.

Review the programme's objectives, available fellowship categories and deadlines.

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Fellowship

Select the category matching your academic or professional stage:

• Master's Thesis Fellowship

• Doctoral Fellowship

• Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Proof of Concept Fellowship

Step 3: Review the Eligibility Requirements

Read the dedicated fellowship page carefully.

Confirm that you meet the academic, institutional, supervision and research requirements.

Step 4: Read the Official Application Guidelines

Open the application toolkit linked on the EPFL website.

For the 15th doctoral and postdoctoral call, use the updated guidelines once the call opens on 3 December 2026.

Step 5: Develop Your Research Idea

Prepare a research concept that addresses relevant cyber-defence challenges.

Explain the problem, proposed methodology, expected contribution and relevance to the programme.

Step 6: Prepare the Required Documents

Collect your academic records, CV, proposal materials and any required institutional information.

All required application documents must be submitted in English.

Step 7: Access the Official Submission Platform

Use the online application platform linked on the official CYD Fellowships website.

Step 8: Submit Your Stage 1 Application

Complete the required fields and upload the requested documents.

For the 15th doctoral and distinguished postdoctoral call, submit Stage 1 by 25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET.

Master's Thesis and Proof of Concept applications may be submitted throughout the year.

Step 9: Participate in the Selection Process

Stage 1 applications are evaluated for their fit with the CYD Campus and the objectives of the programme.

Shortlisted candidates may be assigned a prospective CYD Campus mentor for an interview.

Step 10: Obtain Mentor Endorsement

Only applicants endorsed by their prospective CYD Campus mentor may proceed to Stage 2.

Step 11: Submit the Full Proposal

Shortlisted and endorsed applicants must submit a full proposal and meet the applicable Swiss institutional or supervision requirements.

Step 12: Await the Final Decision

Final decisions are made by a selection committee including CYD Campus and relevant Swiss higher education representatives.

Related: Find more cybersecurity, AI and technology fellowships on OHUB.

EPFL CYD Fellowships 2027 Application Deadlines

The official programme timeline confirms the following.

Doctoral and Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships

• 15th call opens: 3 December 2026

• Stage 1 application deadline: 25 February 2027

• Closing time: 17:00 CET

• Applicant workshop: Date to be announced

Master's Thesis Fellowships

Deadline: Rolling applications throughout the year.

Proof of Concept Fellowships

Deadline: Rolling applications throughout the year.

Next Doctoral and Postdoctoral Call

EPFL also indicates that the 16th call is expected to open around early June 2027, with a Stage 1 deadline expected around August 2027.

These dates are provisional and should not be treated as confirmed.

EPFL CYD Fellowship Selection Process

The programme uses a competitive two-stage selection process.

Stage 1: Initial Evaluation

Applications are reviewed by a CYD Campus internal committee.

The evaluation focuses on:

• Candidate suitability

• Academic and professional excellence

• Alignment with CYD Campus research interests

• Relevance of the proposed research

• Potential contribution to cyber-defence

Stage 2: Full Proposal and Final Evaluation

Shortlisted applicants may be assigned a CYD Campus mentor.

The prospective mentor interviews the candidate and decides whether to endorse the application.

Only endorsed applicants proceed to Stage 2, where they submit a full research proposal.

Final decisions are made by a committee chaired by the CYD Campus Director and including representatives of relevant Swiss institutions.