Switzerland CYD Doctoral Fellowships 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
Are you pursuing—or about to embark on—a PhD in cyber-defence? The EPFL CYD Doctoral Fellowships 2026 offer a rare opportunity to conduct cutting-edge doctoral research at Switzerland’s Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus under top-tier academic mentorship. This fully-funded program equips fellows with the resources and financial support needed to develop breakthrough innovations in security, data science, and AI.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: Switzerland
Host Institution: CYD Campus (a Swiss federal cyber-defence competence center) in collaboration with EPFL and partner universities
Level: Doctoral (PhD)
Target Group: Doctoral candidates in cyber-defence, data science, security, or related fields, from any nationality and with no age restrictions
Fields Research:
Confidentiality, integrity, availability of cyber & cyber-physical systems
Information sharing, data fusion, crowdsourcing
Data science & AI for cybersecurity
Security, privacy, and digital trust technologies
Value & Coverage:
Full salary (with social security) aligned to host institution’s scale
CHF 3,000/year for research-specific equipment
CHF 5,000/year for conference costs
Duration: Up to 4 years, with a possible extension of 1 year if needed to complete the PhD
Application Deadline:
Stage 1 (pre-proposal): 20 August 2025, 17:00 CEST
Stage 2 (full proposal upon endorsement): 1 October 2025, 17:00 CEST
Start Date: Likely early 2026, following final decisions (expected by end of November 2025)
Eligible To: Doctoral candidates enrolled in or about to start at a Swiss higher education institution, with endorsement from a faculty supervisor
🖥️ Program Overview
The CYD Doctoral Fellowships are among the most competitive PhD grants for cyber-defence research in Europe. Here’s how it works:
Two-Stage Selection Process:
Stage 1: Submit a concise pre-proposal demonstrating alignment with CYD’s mission—combining excellence in cyber-defence topics with collaborative potential across Swiss institutions .
Mentor Interview: Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by a CYD Campus mentor who may endorse them for Stage 2 .
Stage 2: Submit a full research proposal (if endorsed). Final decisions are expected by late November 2025 .
Research Spectrum: Fellows will explore pressing challenges in cybersecurity—ranging from AI-driven threat detection to privacy-preserving systems and secure cyber-physical infrastructure .
Support Network: Fellows gain access to rich collaborative environments at EPFL, ETH Zurich, and CYD’s facilities (including the hub in Thun), connecting academic, governmental, and industrial expertise .
Financial Stability: You’ll receive a stable salary plus dedicated funds for essential research tools and global conference participation—critical supports that enable meaningful research and academic visibility
🎁 Fellowship Benefits
Full pedagogical & financial support—salary, research, and conference costs.
International research exposure through collaboration with leaders in cybersecurity.
Structured mentorship and institutional backing for strong PhD progression.
Prestige and network growth, strengthening future academic or industry pathways.
Flexibility—funding aligns with your PhD timeline and can be adjusted accordingly.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be enrolled (or about to enroll) in a doctoral program at a Swiss university or equivalent, with supervisor endorsement .
Show academic excellence—strong transcripts and research potential .
Focus on themes central to cyber-defence and secure systems design.
Be in the early stages of their PhD—preference is given to those who have yet to begin or are just starting .
Citizens of any nationality may apply for the CYD Doctoral fellowships.
No age restrictions apply.
📝 Application Procedure
Prepare Stage 1 Submission:
Write a pre-proposal aligning your project with the CYD mission and Swiss collaboration requirement.
Include academic records and evidence of excellence.
Submit via the official online portal by 20 August 2025 (17:00 CEST) .
If Shortlisted:
Participate in a mentor interview. Secure supervisor’s endorsement to proceed.
Stage 2 Submission:
Submit a full doctoral research proposal by 1 October 2025 (17:00 CEST) .
Decision & Next Steps:
Final selections announced by end of November 2025.
Prepare to start your fully-funded PhD by early 2026.
💡 Extra Insights & Tips
Guidelines: Carefully Read Program's guidelines document linked here
Plan early: With Stage 1 due August 20, allow ample time for pre-proposal drafting and securing endorsements.
Highlight impact: Clearly demonstrate how your research will enhance Swiss cyber-defence and contribute to broader data-security paradigms.
Be precise: Stage 1 should reflect focused feasibility; resist overly broad or technical overload.
Leverage funding wisely: Budget requests (R&D equipment and conferences) should be justified, realistic, and directly tied to your project’s success.
Showcase strong collaboration: Emphasize your supervisor’s and institutional strengths as part of your proposal’s viability.
If you're ready to translate your doctoral aspirations into real-world security innovations—reset your timeline and apply by August 20, 2025.
