EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded in Switzerland
About This Opportunity
Welcome back to Scholar Path, the one destination website that provides information on the most profitable and fully funded research and academic scholarships around the globe. Today, let's take an in-depth look at a lucrative scholarship available in Europe—the EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027 in Switzerland. The scholarship program in question was jointly organized by EPFL and the Swiss Cyber-Defence Campus to recruit international talent in the fields of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science. Interestingly enough, one major feature about this particular scholarship is the complete absence of financial restrictions imposed to prevent applicants from joining the competition. In other words, there is no cost associated with submitting your application through their portal. Moreover, there is no mandatory requirement for having either IELTS or TOEFL scores provided by the CYD fellowship committee in order to participate in the competition.
Key Summary Details of Fellowship
Host Country: Switzerland
Host Institutions: EPFL, ETH Zurich, and the Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus
Financial Status: 100% Fully Funded
Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationalities globally (No age limits)
Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationalities globally
Stage 1 Deadline (PhD & Postdoc): August 19, 2026
Stage 2 Deadline (PhD & Postdoc): October 1, 2026
Master's & Startup Tracks Deadline: Open year-round (Rolling submission)
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Strict Eligibility Requirements
Worldwide Access: Available for individuals irrespective of nationality without any age limit.
Qualified Tracks: Individuals enrolled in Master’s/PhD/Postdoc studies or technology entrepreneurship associated with Swiss universities.
Academic Support Letter: Mandatory requirement of endorsement by an eligible professor working in a Swiss university.
Postdoc Requirement: Postdocs should change their laboratory completely compared to where they completed their PhD.
Physical Presence: Must perform their research physically within one of the CYD campus centers located in Lausanne/Zurich/Thun.
Main Fields of Core Research & Focus Areas
The research agenda or concept that you present should be related to at least one of the main technological focus areas:
Cyber and Cyber-Physical Systems: Providing protection against threats to availability, integrity, and confidentiality of connected systems.
Data Science & Artificial Intelligence: Using machine learning models and automated threat intelligence platforms for analysis of cyber-related data.
Security, Privacy & Digital Trust: Creating solutions on the technology side for data protection, cryptography, and privacy-preserving algorithms.
Information Sharing & Crowdsourcing: Development of sophisticated analytical tools, data fusion, and collaboration networks.
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Fellowship Tracks & Financial Benefits
There are four fellowship tracks; each track have different criteria and financial benefits
1. CYD Master Thesis Fellowships
Term: 6 Months
Fellowship Benefits: CHF 2,500 living allowance per month, in addition to CHF 1,500 for research expenses.
2. CYD Doctoral Fellowships (Ph.D.)
Term: 4 Years (extendable by 1 year)
Fellowship Benefits: Entire annual salary cost contribution (in line with Swiss universities), CHF 3,000 per year toward specialized project-related equipment, and CHF 5,000 per year for attending international conferences.
3. CYD Postdoctoral Fellowships (Distinguished)
Term: 2 Years
Fellowship Benefits: Entire postdoc salary support (in line with Swiss universities), CHF 3,000 per year research support, and CHF 5,000 per year for global travel grants.
4. CYD Proof of Concept Fellowships (Startup Track)
Term: 12 Months
Fellowship Benefits: CHF 130,000 maximum funding
Required Documentation for Submission
CV: An academic and professional record covering all details of your GPA.
Transcripts: Official grade sheets and certificates of graduation for each degree in higher education.
Research Preproposal: This is an overview document providing details of your methodology and its importance for cyber defense.
Host Statement of Support: This is a signed letter from your future supervisor at a Swiss university.
Motivation Letter: This is a document outlining your accomplishments in research and professional life along with your motivation to be part of the CYD family.
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Application Process for Two Phases
In order to ensure utmost transparency and quality, PhD and postdoc tracks have a two-stage evaluation process as follows:
Phase One (pre-proposal screening): Applicants submit their academic transcripts, CVs, and pre-proposals via the application portal by August 19, 2026. An internal committee at CYD Campus screens applications. Selected candidates will be matched with potential mentors within the CYD Campus, where they attend an entry interview.
Phase Two (full proposal submission): If the CYD mentor agrees to support the candidacy of the applicant, he/she is eligible to submit a full proposal by October 1, 2026. Final selections are determined by CYD and Swiss Universities' joint selection board, with successful applicants notified by the end of November 2026.
Apply on the official website. The link is provided below
Eligibility Requirements
- Open to any students
- International students from all countries
- Strong academic record
- Willing to study in Switzerland
- Proficiency in English (or language of instruction)
- Required documents: transcripts, CV, recommendation letters
Key Details
- Type: fellowship
- Degree Level: any
- Funding: Fully Funded
- Location: Switzerland
- Deadline: August 19, 2026
- Apply: https://www.epfl.ch/research/funding/epfl-programmes/cyd/
How to Apply
- 1 Read the official requirements and eligibility criteria carefully.
- 2 Prepare all required documents including academic transcripts, CV, and recommendation letters.
- 3 Write a compelling statement of purpose or motivation letter.
- 4 Submit your application through the official portal before the deadline.
- 5 Follow up on your application status and prepare for any interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible for the EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded in Switzerland?
This fellowship is open to international students for any students. Applicants should meet the academic requirements and submit all required documents before the deadline. Specific eligibility criteria may vary by program.
2. What is the funding coverage for this fellowship?
This opportunity provides Fully Funded. The funding covers selected expenses to support your academic and professional journey.
3. How can I apply for the EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded in Switzerland?
Applications are submitted through the official application portal at https://www.epfl.ch/research/funding/epfl-programmes/cyd/. Make sure to prepare all required documents including academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose before applying.
4. When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is August 19, 2026. We recommend applying early to avoid last-minute issues.
5. Where is this fellowship located?
This opportunity is based in Switzerland and hosted by EPFL, ETH Zurich, and the Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus. Switzerland is known for its excellent academic environment and welcoming culture for international students.