The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships support postdoctoral research in security, data science and related digital-trust fields. The 14th call has closed. EPFL has announced that the 15th call opens on 3 December 2026, with the Stage 1 deadline on 25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET.
CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 at a Glance
| Programme | CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships |
|---|---|
| Programme partners | EPFL and the Cyber-Defence Campus |
| Status | UPCOMING — 15th call |
| Opening date | 3 December 2026 |
| Stage 1 deadline | 25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET |
| Duration | Up to two years |
| Host | Higher education institution in Switzerland |
| Research location | CYD Campus |
| Nationality | Any nationality |
| Age restriction | None |
Research Focus
The programme supports cross-cutting postdoctoral research in security and data science. Current themes include secure digital and cyber-physical systems, information sharing and data fusion, AI/data-science methods for security-relevant data, and privacy and digital-trust technologies.
Projects must be capable of making a significant contribution to security/data-science research with relevance to Swiss cyber-defence, and must involve collaboration between the CYD Campus and at least one Swiss higher education institution.
Eligibility Requirements
| Nationality | Citizens of any nationality may apply. |
|---|---|
| Age | No age restrictions apply. |
| Supervisor | At Stage 2, applicants need endorsement from a professor employed at a Swiss higher education institution who is willing to supervise the project. |
| Laboratory requirement | The funded postdoctoral research must be conducted in a different laboratory from the doctoral laboratory and, if applicable, the current postdoctoral laboratory. |
| Profile | The programme is highly competitive and prioritizes excellence in academic record and professional accomplishments. |
Funding and Duration
| Duration | Up to 2 years |
|---|---|
| Salary contribution | Based on the host institution’s salary scale and includes social-security benefits |
| Research costs | Up to CHF 3,000 per year for eligible project-specific research costs |
| Conference costs | Up to CHF 5,000 per year |
Two-Stage Selection Process
Stage 1
Applications are evaluated by a CYD Campus internal committee chaired by the CYD Campus Director. The stated criteria are the fit of the candidate with the CYD Campus and the fit of the pre-proposal with the aims of the programme.
Shortlisted applicants are assigned a prospective CYD Campus mentor. Only applicants endorsed by that mentor can proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2
Shortlisted applicants submit a full research proposal. Final decisions are made by a committee chaired by the CYD Campus Director and composed of 3–5 members representing the CYD Campus and Swiss higher education institutions.
Call Timeline
| 14th call | Closed |
|---|---|
| 14th-call Stage 1 deadline | 19 August 2026 at 17:00 CEST |
| 15th call opens | 3 December 2026 |
| 15th-call applicant workshop | To be announced |
| 15th-call Stage 1 deadline | 25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET |
| 16th call | Expected around early June 2027; Stage 1 expected around August 2027 |
How to Apply for the 15th Call
| Step 1 | Wait for the 15th call to open on 3 December 2026. |
|---|---|
| Step 2 | Download and follow the updated 15th-call guidelines and toolkit. |
| Step 3 | Prepare the Stage 1 application and pre-proposal. |
| Step 4 | Submit the required documents in English through the official platform by 25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET. |
| Step 5 | If shortlisted and endorsed by the assigned CYD Campus mentor, proceed to the Stage 2 full proposal. |
CareerAidHub Application Guidance
The following points are CareerAidHub guidance only.
- Lead with programme fit: Stage 1 explicitly assesses candidate fit and pre-proposal fit.
- Make Swiss relevance clear: explain how the project contributes to the programme’s security and data-science mission.
- Plan collaboration early: the project must connect the CYD Campus with at least one Swiss higher education institution.
- Check the laboratory-mobility rule: confirm the proposed host differs from your doctoral and, where applicable, current postdoctoral laboratory.
- Use only the 15th-call toolkit for final submission: templates may change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship open now?
No. The 14th call is closed. The 15th call opens on 3 December 2026.
What is the next Stage 1 deadline?
25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET.
How long is the fellowship funded?
Up to two years.
Can applicants of any nationality apply?
Yes. No nationality or age restriction is listed.
Do I need a Swiss host professor?
At Stage 2, endorsement from a professor employed at a Swiss higher education institution is required.
Can I remain in my PhD laboratory?
No. The funded postdoctoral research must be in a different laboratory from the doctoral laboratory and, if applicable, the current postdoctoral laboratory.
Official Sources and Application Links
| CYD Fellowships Overview | Current 15th-call dates and programme status |
|---|---|
| Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship | Eligibility, mission, funding and selection process |
| Calls Timeline | 15th- and 16th-call schedule |
| Submission Platform | Official application system |
CareerAidHub verified the upcoming 15th-call schedule against current EPFL CYD programme and timeline pages on 25 September 2026.
