Deadline:
January 15, 2026
Location(s)
Worldwide
Overview
The Branco Weiss Fellowship is a postdoc program for exceptionally qualified young researchers. The fellowship consists of a personal research grant that enables the fellows to work on their projects anywhere in the world, for up to five years.
Details
A Branco Weiss Fellow is expected to work on a research project, which blazes new trails and profits from the unique freedom offered by the fellowship. A successful fellow also demon- strates the willingness to engage in a dialogue on relevant social, cultural, political, or economic issues across the frontiers of their particular discipline.
Branco Weiss Fellows belong to a diverse, dedicated, and intellectually stimulating group. They meet at least once a year to present and discuss their research projects.
The Branco Weiss Fellowship was initiated and financed by the Swiss entrepreneur Dr. Branco Weiss. The program is domiciled and run by ETH Zurich.
Timelines
The proposals are evaluated by the directorate, selected faculty members of ETH Zurich, and external reviewers. Short-listed candidates are invited for personal interviews, to be held in Zurich, Switzerland.
The following timeline applies for the 2026 fellowship intake:
- January 15, 2026, 5 p.m. CET: final deadline for applications via the online form
- May 2026: notification and invitation for a personal interview sent to final selection of candidates; notification sent to candidates whose application has been rejected
- June 2026: candidates interviewed by a panel in Zurich, Switzerland; final selection of fellows
- October 1 to December 31, 2026: fellows commence research projects
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
You are eligible for the 2026 intake if:
- You officially hold a PhD on January 15, 2026. This means that you have at least successfully passed your PhD defense before January 15, 2026.
- You have obtained your PhD a maximum of five years prior to January 15, 2026
- You do not hold/have not held a faculty-equivalent position (e.g. assistant professor or lecturer)
- Your project departs from the mainstream of research in your discipline
- You have a record of outstanding scientific achievement
- You demonstrate in the proposal a willingness to engage in a dialog on relevant social, cultural, political or economic issues beyond the frontiers of your particular discipline
- You can confirm that you are willing and able to travel to the Greater Zurich Area and attend the annual symposium in person
Please note that we typically do not fund mainstream research projects that could also be funded by other scientific organizations.
If you have applied before and were not selected, you are welcome to apply again.
Only the following reasons for delays after attaining your PhD are acceptable:
- parental leave
- inability to work due to illness or accident
Applicants must provide an official confirmation of their leave(s) before they submit an application. The number of weeks that the research work was interrupted is accepted as an extension (max. 1 year in total).
Dates
Deadline: January 15, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
Duration
Research projects should be conceived to last five years.
The first two and a half years of a project are called the pioneer phase. Before the end of the second year, a site visit will take place and a review will be conducted. At this point, the project, its continued originality, and the productivity of the fellow will be evaluated. If the results of the evaluation and site visit are satisfactory, the fellow enters the exploitation phase for the remaining two and a half years of the fellowship.
Branco Weiss Fellows are encouraged to seek faculty positions during their exploitation phase. Fellows can start a faculty position/professorship after the first year of the fellowship. Assuming an academic position will not result in termination of the fellowship.
Funding
A Branco Weiss Fellowship amounts to max. CHF 600,000 for up to five years. It may be used to cover all legitimate costs of research (i.e. salary and/or equipment, travel expenses, consumables, personnel, etc.).
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
