Applications are now open for the EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027 in Switzerland, a prestigious fully funded research fellowship jointly organized by the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus.
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Get Your Copy →The CYD Fellowship Programme is designed to support outstanding researchers working on innovative solutions in cyber-defence, cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, privacy technologies, and digital trust. The programme attracts talented Master’s students, PhD researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and innovators from around the world.
The fellowship aims to strengthen research and education in cyber-defence while fostering collaboration between Swiss higher education institutions and the CYD Campus. Successful applicants receive substantial financial support and access to world-class research facilities in Switzerland. 0
Summary
- Programme Name: EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027
- Host Institution: EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)
- Partner Organization: Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus
- Host Country: Switzerland
- Programme Type: Fully Funded Research Fellowship
- Eligible Nationalities: All Nationalities
- Fields: Cybersecurity, Cyber-Defence, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Privacy, Digital Trust
- Available Categories: Master’s Thesis, Doctoral, Distinguished Postdoctoral, and Proof of Concept Fellowships
- Funding Coverage: Salary, research funding, conference support, living allowance, and project funding
- Application Deadline (14th Call): 19 August 2026
About the EPFL CYD Fellowship
The CYD Fellowship Programme was established to promote cutting-edge research and innovation in cyber-defence.
The programme brings together researchers from Swiss universities and the CYD Campus to address major challenges in cybersecurity and emerging technologies. Participants work on projects that contribute to the protection of digital infrastructure, cyber-physical systems, privacy, and secure information systems.
The fellowship is highly competitive, and selection is based primarily on academic excellence, research potential, and the expected impact of the proposed project. 1
Fellowship Categories
The EPFL CYD Fellowship Programme offers several funding tracks.
CYD Master’s Thesis Fellowship
This fellowship supports Master’s students conducting research in cyber-defence.
Benefits include:
- Living allowance
- Research funding
- Six-month fellowship period
- Rolling application process
CYD Doctoral Fellowship
This fellowship supports PhD candidates conducting research in Switzerland.
Benefits include:
- Full salary
- Research funding
- Conference funding
- Four years of support
- Possible one-year extension
CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship
This fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers.
Benefits include:
- Salary support
- Research funding
- Conference funding
- Up to two years of funding
CYD Proof of Concept Fellowship
This fellowship supports innovative cyber-defence projects with commercialization potential.
Benefits include:
- Funding of up to CHF 130,000
- Support for product development
- Entrepreneurial mentoring
- Innovation and commercialization opportunities
2
Research Areas
Applicants may submit projects related to:
- Cybersecurity
- Cyber-defence
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Data Science
- Cyber-Physical Systems
- Digital Trust Technologies
- Privacy Protection
- Information Sharing Systems
- Data Fusion
- Crowdsourcing Technologies
- Critical Infrastructure Protection
- Secure Communications
- Emerging Security Technologies
Projects should demonstrate strong scientific merit and relevance to cyber-defence challenges. 3
Fellowship Benefits
Depending on the fellowship category, participants may receive:
- Full salary support
- Living allowance
- Research funding
- Conference funding
- International networking opportunities
- Access to EPFL research facilities
- Collaboration with Swiss universities
- Access to the CYD Campus research environment
- Professional mentorship
- Innovation and commercialization support
- Opportunity to work with leading experts in cybersecurity
The programme is designed to enable fellows to focus entirely on high-impact research and innovation activities. 4
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility varies depending on the fellowship category.
General Requirements
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate excellent academic performance
- Have strong research potential
- Submit all documents in English
- Propose a project related to cyber-defence or cybersecurity
- Meet the specific requirements of their fellowship category
Doctoral Fellowship Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled in a doctoral programme at a Swiss higher education institution
- Obtain support from a supervising professor in Switzerland
- Conduct research that contributes to Swiss cyber-defence
Postdoctoral Fellowship Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a doctoral degree
- Secure a Swiss academic supervisor
- Conduct research in a new research environment
Proof of Concept Fellowship Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold or be pursuing a recognized degree
- Develop an innovative cyber-defence solution
- Be hosted by a Swiss research centre, startup, or innovation institution
Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply. 5
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Research proposal or project concept
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- Supervisor endorsement (where applicable)
- Supporting research documents
- Proof of academic qualifications
- Additional documents specified in the application toolkit
Applicants should carefully review the official guidelines before submission. 6
How to Apply for the EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official CYD Fellowship webpage.
- Select the fellowship category that matches your profile.
- Download and review the application toolkit.
- Prepare all required documents.
- Develop a strong research proposal or project concept.
- Obtain required endorsements and references.
- Create an account on the online application platform.
- Upload all required documents.
- Submit your application before the deadline.
- Monitor your email for updates regarding the selection process.
Applications are submitted through the official online CYD Fellowship platform. 7
Application Deadline
For the current 14th Call:
- Call Opens: 3 June 2026
- Stage 1 Deadline: 19 August 2026 (17:00 CEST)
- Stage 2 Proposal Deadline: 1 October 2026 (for shortlisted doctoral and postdoctoral applicants)
- Results Announcement: Expected by the end of November 2026
Master’s Thesis Fellowships and Proof of Concept Fellowships operate on a rolling basis and may be submitted throughout the year. 8
Why Apply?
The EPFL CYD Fellowship is among Europe’s leading cyber-defence research programmes.
Benefits include:
- Fully funded research support
- Access to world-class Swiss research institutions
- International collaboration opportunities
- Strong industry and government connections
- Exposure to cutting-edge cybersecurity research
- Career advancement opportunities
- Professional mentorship
- Access to innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems
The programme is particularly attractive for researchers seeking careers in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, defence technologies, and digital trust systems. 9
Related Opportunities
If you are interested in the EPFL CYD Fellowship, you may also consider:
- DAAD EPOS MIDE Scholarship in Germany
- DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- RAVE Scholarship in Germany
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) in Canada
- Future Leaders Program in Hungary
- Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Scholarship in Thailand
Official Application Link
Final Note from AK Travels LTD
The EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027 in Switzerland is an outstanding opportunity for talented researchers and innovators interested in cybersecurity, cyber-defence, artificial intelligence, and digital trust technologies.
At AK Travels LTD, we encourage prospective applicants to begin preparations early, identify suitable Swiss academic partners where required, and develop a strong research proposal that demonstrates both scientific excellence and practical impact.
Given the highly competitive nature of the programme, applicants should focus on presenting a compelling research vision, excellent academic credentials, and a clear contribution to the future of cyber-defence research.
Website: http://www.aktravelsltd.com
📘 Get the Scholarship Blueprint
Want to increase your chances of winning fully funded scholarships abroad? Learn the exact strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and proven application techniques used by successful applicants.
Get Your Copy →
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