International · Independent Postdoctoral Research · 2027 Intake
Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027
The 2027 application round is open. This fellowship supports independent research that moves beyond a discipline’s established approaches and engages with society.
2027 application and selection dates
| Submit application | 15 January 2027, 17:00 CET (21:30 IST) |
|---|---|
| Final interview invitations | May 2027 |
| Interviews and final selection | June 2027 |
| Project start | 1 October–31 December 2027, according to the intake timeline |
Check career stage and project fit
- Successfully defend your PhD before 15 January 2027 and fall within the five-year post-PhD window.
- Current or previous faculty-equivalent appointments, including Assistant Professor or Lecturer, exclude applicants.
- Demonstrate strong research achievement, an unconventional project and engagement with social, cultural, political or economic questions.
- Commit to attending the annual symposium in the Greater Zurich Area in person.
- Confirm that your mentor supports only one candidate in this round.
Career interruptions: documented full-time parental leave or inability to work following illness or accident may extend the eligibility window by up to one year. Send official evidence before applying, preferably one to two months ahead.
Additional guideline rule: scientists with permanent employment are ineligible. The guidelines allow the PhD examination or certificate date that establishes eligibility; for multiple doctorates, the first is decisive. There is no biological-age restriction. Seek a written eligibility ruling if your appointment or dates are unclear.
What the award pays for
Funding is capped at CHF 600,000 for up to five years. Eligible research costs include salary, equipment, personnel, consumables and travel. This is a total project budget, not a promised salary or take-home amount.
The first 2.5 years form an initial phase. Continuation for another 2.5 years depends on a satisfactory review and site visit, conducted before the end of year two.
Any academic institution worldwide may host the project. The host may retain a management fee of up to 10%. Host changes need approval and are prohibited in year one. Faculty appointments may begin after the first year, provided the fellowship project remains the focus. The guidelines do not allow no-cost extensions.
Application documents and upload limits
| Motivation letter | Maximum one page; explain the departure from mainstream research. |
|---|---|
| Research proposal | Maximum five pages, including schedule, milestones and references. |
| CV and publications | Maximum four pages, including the publication list. |
| Host invitation | Signed support for the project, independence, workplace and infrastructure. |
| Selected publications | Three peer-reviewed journal articles or individual book chapters; no books or theses. |
| PhD evidence | Certificate or confirmation of successful examination; official certificate may be requested in April. |
| Reviewer suggestions | Five reviewers from different institutions, entered in the application system. |
| Abstract and referee contact | Prepare an accessible abstract and name a potential referee other than the mentor. |
| Format | English; PDF files, maximum 5 MB each and 15 MB combined. Font at least 10 points with normal line spacing. |
No budget is required at initial application. Use the official application page to reach ETH Zurich’s eResearch system. The programme recommends submitting one or two days early to avoid server congestion.
Build a clear case for research independence
CareerAidHub editorial advice: use the following approach to plan your application. These are preparation suggestions, not extra fellowship requirements.
- Define the departure from current practice. Identify the assumption or method your project challenges. Explain why a conventional approach cannot answer the question.
- Keep the methods credible. Separate established techniques from methods you need to develop. Include a fallback route for the riskiest step.
- Make host fit concrete. Discuss facilities, access, scientific support and independence before requesting the invitation.
- Connect research with society. Describe who could use or question the findings. Avoid promising social benefits that the proposed work cannot establish.
- Audit the final files. Check page limits, dates, reviewer conflicts and consistency across the CV, proposal and host letter.
Career Accelerator Programme
CareerAidHub offers profile review, opportunity mapping, CV and cover-letter feedback, research statement support, outreach planning and one-to-one mentorship.
Explore career support Contact CareerAidHub
This is an independent advisory service with no affiliation to the fellowship or ETH Zurich. Support does not guarantee selection or funding.
Frequently asked questions
Can researchers in India apply?
Yes. All nationalities are eligible, and an academic host may be located anywhere worldwide.
Is the fellowship limited to science and engineering?
No. It also covers social sciences and humanities.
Are ten awards guaranteed?
No. The programme aims for up to ten; the number depends on selection.
Is the grant paid directly as personal income?
No. The host administers the project grant through an agreement involving the fellow and ETH Zurich.
Who signs the host invitation?
The prospective host professor signs it and explains the project’s fit with the host environment.
Can I propose reviewers I have collaborated with?
No. Suggested reviewers must have no past, current or planned scientific collaboration with you.
Are recommendation letters required immediately?
They are requested at a later selection stage, rather than submitted with the initial application.
What if I plan more than one host?
The FAQ requests an invitation from the main host, where the project starts. Confirm arrangements before submission.
Official application information
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026. Sources checked: official 2027 eligibility and funding page, application instructions, intake timeline, FAQs and guidelines dated 15 July 2026. Follow the application page’s navigation to read these documents and access the submission portal. Confirm the interview format directly because the official documents differ.
